Ah, turkey hunting. The excitement of pursuing an animal, the surge of adrenaline when a deer approaches your position, and the fulfillment of defeating a cunning avian But let’s face it, not even the most experienced turkey hunter can survive solely on chance. That’s where the right turkey decoy comes in. It’s similar to having a covert tool in your toolbox, a stealthy partner who can entice even the most obstinate tom toward you.
But with so many options out there, choosing the best turkey decoy can feel like navigating a minefield Fear not, fellow hunters, for this comprehensive guide will help you navigate the world of turkey decoys and find the perfect one to match your hunting style and budget
Decoding the Decoy Jungle: What to Look For
Before we dive into specific recommendations, let’s first understand the key factors that make a decoy truly effective:
1. Realism: This is the holy grail of turkey decoys. A cautious gobbler is more likely to be tricked by a lifelike decoy. Seek for decoys with realistic paint jobs, precise body postures, and intricate feather patterns.
2. Durability: Let’s face it, turkey hunting can be rough on gear. Select a decoy that can resist the harsh conditions of the field, such as being thrown into the back of your truck and enduring the weather.
3. Portability: If you’re a run-and-gun hunter you’ll want a decoy that’s lightweight and easy to pack. But if you prefer setting up in a blind, a larger more elaborate decoy might be your best bet.
4. Versatility: Some decoys are designed for specific situations like reaping or attracting hens. Others are more versatile and can be used in a variety of setups. Consider how you typically hunt when making your choice.
5. Budget: Turkey decoys range in price from budget-friendly to premium. Prior to shopping, decide on a reasonable spending limit. Also, don’t be scared to spend the extra money on a high-quality decoy that will last for many years.
Top Turkey Decoys for Every Hunting Style: Your Personal Gobbler Magnet
Let’s examine some of the top turkey decoys available now that you know what to look for, arranged according to their advantages:
1. The Gobbler Magnet: Avian-X LCD Hen
With this collapsible decoy, you can successfully close the deal and punch that tag by enticing even the most wary bird to approach within shooting range. The remarkably realistic paint job and intricate feather patterns of the Avian-X LCD Hen have earned it a reputation for remarkable realism. Additionally, it is very sturdy, making it a dependable partner for many years of turkey hunting excursions.
2. The Realism King: Dave Smith Turkey Flock Decoys
If you’re looking for the most realistic turkey decoys on the market, look no further than Dave Smith Decoys. These hand-painted beauties are so lifelike that they’ll have you questioning whether they’re real or not. They come in a variety of postures, allowing you to create a convincing flock that will fool even the most discerning gobblers.
3. The Hen Whisperer: Montana Decoy Miss Purrfect XD
This versatile hen decoy is a favorite among turkey hunters for its ability to attract gobblers from afar. The Miss Purrfect XD features adjustable head and body positions, allowing you to customize it for different hunting scenarios. It’s also lightweight and easy to pack, making it ideal for mobile hunters.
4. The Jake Charmer: Avian X Half-Strut Jake
This jake decoy is perfect for imitating a young, subordinate gobbler, which can trigger aggression in dominant toms. The Half-Strut Jake features a realistic posture and a lifelike paint job that will fool even the most experienced gobblers. It’s also lightweight and portable, making it a great choice for run-and-gun hunters.
Beyond the Decoy: Tips for Turkey Hunting Success
Remember, the best turkey decoy is only as effective as the hunter using it. Here are some additional tips to maximize your success:
- Scout your hunting area: Knowing where the turkeys are feeding and roosting will help you position your decoy effectively.
- Use proper calling techniques: Learn how to call like a turkey hen to attract gobblers to your setup.
- Be patient: Turkey hunting requires patience. Don’t get discouraged if the birds don’t come running right away.
- Stay hidden: Gobblers have keen eyesight, so make sure you’re well-concealed when you set up your decoy.
- Practice, practice, practice: The more you practice calling and setting up your decoy, the more confident you’ll be in the field.
Choosing the best turkey decoy is a personal decision, but with the information and recommendations provided in this guide, you’re well-equipped to find the perfect match for your hunting style and budget. Remember, the best decoy is the one that helps you bag the gobbler of your dreams. So get out there, hunt hard, and let your turkey decoy work its magic!
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How you choose to position your decoys is equally as important as which ones you decide to use.
With the right decoys and an enticing setup, I was able to score this double on Kansas gobblers.
I am new to bowhunting turkeys and want to use decoys to improve my odds. What decoys work best, and does it matter how I set them up? — T. Sweeney, via e-mail.
Bowhunting turkeys and using decoys go hand in hand. Any decoy can work in the right situation, especially when the toms are really fired-up. But that is the exception rather than the norm.
Since decoys have changed over time, there are now so many options available that it can be very overwhelming, especially for beginners. While hen and jake dekes are typical, strutting tom decoys and those that mount to your bow have become more and more popular in the last few years.
My decoy setup has adapted over time, and it will vary throughout the season. Which brand you choose is entirely up to you, but I’ve discovered that some decoy poses and looks are more effective than others. Advertisement.
My preferred setup for ground blind or cover-based hunting is a submissive jake decoy with one to three hens. I have utilized this combination ever since I can remember, starting with the early foam-style decoys and continuing with the more recent, lifelike molded decoys. I held off on buying the ultra-realistic decoys for a while because they are more expensive. However, after spending the cash, I’m glad I did because my success rate has never been higher. They look so real that turkeys readily accept them.
I prefer a more submissive/subordinate posture of whatever jake decoy I’m using. It triggers a response from toms that I rarely experienced with my cheaper decoys. Once they commit, there’s no turning back. If you’re lucky, you may even get to see a longbeard scolding the submissive Jake Decoy before you shoot the belligerent tom.
Later in the season, I will lose the jake and go with just a single hen. Male birds may become wary of competition after springtime confrontations, but they will still investigate a lone hen. Also, the more aggressive birds will come running to a lonely hen. I typically use an upright-posture, molded-plastic hen decoy that is very realistic. Advertisement.
This shot shows me with a number of hen decoys in front of me and my bow-mounted tom acting as a blind.
How you position your decoys is equally important, if not more so, than the brand/style of decoy itself. Set your decoys close to you whether you’re hunting from a natural hide or a commercial ground blind. I set my decoys facing me, and less than 10 yards from my blind. If cover is scarce in a natural hide, you might need to set them further apart, but I wouldn’t go farther than 15 yards. Turkeys have a tiny critical area, so your chances of hitting the ideal shot increase with their proximity. Also, cautious birds have a tendency not to commit fully to the decoys. If you place them close together, the tom should stay within your range even if he hangs up suddenly.
A relatively new concept involves a bow-mounted strutting tom decoy. Basically, the goal is to use this type decoy to pick a fight with another strutting tom. This run-and-bow style of hunting can be a lot of fun and yield some amazing encounters. For best results, use topography to maneuver in close before the tom sees the intruding decoy. If the bird doesn’t turn hostile and charge in, you can keep crawling toward it to start a fight. I have had loads of success using this tactic.
I recently started experimenting with a bow-mounted decoy in conjunction with other decoys. The bow deke serves as my “blind,” and I position the other decoys accordingly. Because you can set it up practically anywhere and you don’t have to carry a heavy blind with you, it is the best of both worlds. It goes without saying that your primary concern when using bow-mounted decoys should be safety. I plan to experiment with this setup a lot more this spring. Make sure there are no other hunters around.
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Best Turkey Decoys 2024 | Top 5 Best Turkey Decoy for The Money
FAQ
How many turkey decoys should I put out?
Are turkey decoys worth it?
What turkey decoy does Michael Waddell use?
What is the best Turkey decoy?
1. AVIAN-X LCD Breeder Hen 2. FlexTone Turkey Decoy 3. Avian-X Hen Turkey Decoy 4. HUNTERS SPECIALTIES HS Strut Lite Flock Jake 5. Primos Hunting Lil Gobstopper Decoy Posture: The Lil’ Gobbstopper Hen is designed to match smaller, less intimidating turkeys that make easy targets for gobblers to bully.
How effective is a Turkey decoy?
Remarkably, the decoy captured the turkey’s focus immediately upon re-entering the field. Despite the turkey being a hen, the decoy allowed the hunter to close to an impressive 30 yards without alarming the bird. The hen’s fixation on the fan rather than the approaching hunter highlights the decoy’s effectiveness in masking the hunter’s presence.
What are the different types of Turkey decoys?
Tom turkey decoys are one of the most common, which can attract fellow toms. Jake turkey decoys are less intimidating, a young male turkey that can attract dominant toms or hens. Hen turkey decoys are best used during the spring breeding season, attracting many male turkeys.
What is the best decoy for a hen?
This won’t get a jake or confident 2-year old to come in, but a boss gobbler with hens will take the bait almost every time. The single best decoy anyone can own is a submissive, half- or quarter-strut jake. If you’re into shooting any legal turkey, this type of jake will draw in anything with a beard.