Any "lookout" birds can make other approaching birds slightly nervous. It can seem as if the birds are on high alert and nervous. I prefer either breeding or feeding, looks like a more relaxed scenario. Doesn't mean you can't kill one with a lookout hen though. If I only bring one decoy its a hen. I normally bring a breeding hen and a strutting tom- birds can see that fan from quite a ways.
I usually don't get to hunt until late season, and most wheat fields and even pasture land is too tall for feeders to be seen from a distance. I do agree i wouldn't use a lookout hen by herself though.
I've only ever used a feeding hen. Called in another hen all by her lonesome. She went up right next to the decoy and looked at it, then at the ground where the decoy appeared to be focused and then back at the decoy. Did this for several minutes. I was amused. And while this may not apply to turkeys.... when one of my chickens freezes and stares alertly off into the distance, the other chickens also look off in that direction and get nervous.
