If you’re hunting for that prized Thanksgiving gobbler, or you want to do a little springtime tom hunting, a good turkey decoy might be just what you need. They are a great way to attract a prized gobbler, and can make your hunting trip much more enjoyable. If you are interested in purchasing the best turkey decoy, this post can help you make the right decision. Here are 5 great choices to begin with:
When looking for a turkey decoy, you should look at two primary qualities: realism and durability. Your goal is to get a decoy that looks like the real deal and can also last multiple hunting trips without falling apart. Before you go out and buy a decoy set, take the time and research so that you choose a turkey decoy that is right for you. You’re going to want something that is as lifelike as possible, but lightweight enough to transport easily between hunting sites. Fortunately, since technology and craftsmanship are constantly improving, and many of the newer decoys out are so detailed they are actually difficult for the human eye. You can rest assured that a turkey that fools you will certainly trick a nearby tom bird.
Decoys Don’t Fix Bad Hunting Strategy
While adding decoys to your hunting gear can greatly improve your odds of catching a nice gobbler, they can't guarantee that you won't go home empty-handed. Even with the best turkey decoy on the market hands down, you will still be expected to implement some strategy and proper hunting skill on your hunt. Here are some common mistakes that you should avoid when using a turkey decoy:
1. Don’t overdo it with your decoy setup.
Start with a dominant, strutting tom decoy at the beginning of the season when sexually mature turkeys are fighting for their hierarchical standings. If you frequent the same hunting grounds, don’t overdo it with this decoy or you will scare away the more submissive birds. That means that after all of the alpha males have been killed, you will be left with no birds hanging around the area. Mix it up by adding some jakes and hens to your setup, which will attract nearby tom turkeys.
2. Get out of the way.
Turkeys are easily startled and have impeccable eyesight. Don’t place your turkey decoy directly in front of you. This is a guaranteed way to get spotted and spook your gobbler.
3. This isn’t hide-and-seek.
You will not have the best turkey decoy setup if your gobbler can’t see it. Place your decoys in open areas where nearby turkeys can see it, and don’t even bother sticking a decoy in heavy cover. If a turkey hitting in thick brush happens upon your decoy, it is more than likely going to get startled and run away. Rather hunt without decoys if you’re trying to get a hidden bird.
4. Watch out for the wind.
A good turkey decoy will react to the wind and move in a realistic manner, which can greatly enhance its realism. However, a decoy that has been blown over due to heavy wind will not do a good job deceiving nearby gobblers. For this reason, always bring a couple of extra stakes or arrows to help prop up your decoy during near-gale force winds.
How to Use That Decoy to Your Advantage
So you have been looking at turkey decoy reviews and have decided to make a purchase, now what? As mentioned above, improper usage of decoys can startle gobblers and seriously inhibit your hunting experience. However, with a little bit of strategy, combined with good hunting and proper turkey calling, a decoy can help you tag out faster. Here are some surefire ways to properly use your turkey decoy:
- Try attracting gobblers back by placing a decoy hen in a feeding posture around a high-traffic zone with a flock that has dispersed
- Try to position yourself between your target and the decoy
- Don't set your decoy up outside your shooting range
- Place your decoy in a spot that is easy to be seen from all directions, like the high spot of a field
The Best Turkey Decoy Reviews
Finding the best turkey decoy for the money doesn’t have to be a difficult and time-consuming process. You simply need to build a decoy setup that has a diverse range of turkeys and poses, and is durable enough to maintain its realistic features throughout the hunting season. If you are in the market for some turkey decoys, but you find yourself struggling to make a decision, then have a look at a few of the best turkey decoys on the market.
Decoy | Highlights | Price |
|---|---|---|
Very realistic and durable | ||
Best value for money | ||
Lightweight and extremely inexpensive | ||
Very realistic and durable | ||
Realistic and authentic movements |
Avian-X Breeder Turkey Decoy
The Avian-X Breeder is one of the best decoys that you can buy for the money. Although it’s a bit pricey, the decoy is very realistic in both its color scheme and posture. This hen comes standing in a mating stance that will attract nearby tom turkeys, and is painted with lifelike, durable paint that can withstand years of use without wear and tear.
Weighing slightly over three pounds, this decoy is lightweight and simple to transport. It sits on top of a folding stake that lets the decoy move realistically, without spinning around. This allows for movements that simulate actual hens.
The biggest advantage of the Avian-X Breeder Turkey decoy is the realism. Avian-X has spent a lot of time paying attention to the finer details, including the shading and color patterns on every feather. Furthermore, each decoy comes with its own personal carry bag, so that you can safely pack and transport the decoy without damaging its appearance.
Primos Gobstopper Jake & Hen Decoy Combo
The Primos Gobstopper Jake & Hen decoy comes with one hen and one young, male turkey that are mounted on stakes. Weighing a total of five pounds, these decoys are lightweight and easy to carry and set up around the hunting site. The Gobstopper Jake & Hen combo is half the price of other decoys on the market, but comes with the same lifelike attention to detail.
The biggest selling point of the Primos Gobstopper is that it comes with two, realistic decoys that look just like actual turkeys. While the metal poles that the decoys are attached to can generate unwanted noise from time-to-time, the detailed appearance is enough to bring tom turkeys to you. The decoys also come with a carrying bag, or you can fold the up and put them in your hunting vest as you move around.
If you are looking to get the most out of your money, this decoy set is perfect for you. While it doesn’t have the fancy features that some of the other decoys come with, it has everything that is necessary to enhance your hunting experience. Furthermore, since you are working with two decoys, you are more likely to attract that tom bird that you have been eyeing. For this reason, it could very well be the best turkey decoy for spring or fall.
Feather Flex Decoys SF00856 Three Position Hen Decoy
The Feather Flex SF00856 is one of the lightest decoys on the market. It is made of lightweight polyethylene foam and is less than one pound. While it can’t be deflated and folded like some of the other decoys, the SF00856 is quiet and easy to setup.
What sets the Feather Flex SF00856 apart from its competitors is the special stake that the decoy is mounted to. This patented grommet system gives you the opportunity to place your decoy in one of the following positions: standing, breeding, or feeding.
The benefit of a three position system is that it gives you the opportunity to set up a decoy that matches the environment, as well as the mood of turkeys in the immediate area. Also, like most decoys, the SF00856’s grommet is collapsible, thus making it easier to pack and transport.
Don’t be fooled by the fact that it’s one of the most inexpensive decoys on the market. The Feather Flex SF00856 is realistic and durable, and is an effective decoy to have. It is the perfect decoy for any hunter who is looking for a bargain or someone who wants to be able to customize their decoy setup.
Avian-X LCD Laydown Hen Turkey Decoy
The Avian-X LCD Laydown Hen Turkey Decoy is another hyper-realistic decoy made popular by Avian-X. There has been so much attention to detail with this hen that it’s nearly impossible to distinguish it from an actual bird without touching it. Every feather has even been painted with lines, so that it truly looks like a real turkey.
The LCD Laydown Hen Decoy is made with Dura-Rubber, which means that it should be able to last years’ worth of hunting trips without scratching, fading, or tearing. Its enhanced durability also means that you shouldn’t have to worry about any air leaks from regular wear-and-tear. Additionally, the decoy also comes with a carry bag, so you can pack it away after using it and store it in a safe location.
MOJO Outdoors Shake N Jake Decoy
If you are looking for one of the most realistic jake turkey decoys on the market, the MOJO Outdoors Shake N Jake Decoy is right for you. The designers at MOJO have made a considerable amount of effort designing the Shake N Jake decoy to look like the real thing. Along with its detailed paint job, the Shake N Jake also has lifelike, fanning feathers that move.
Shake N Jake also makes authentic movements that will fool any nearby bird. Watch as your decoy shakes, moves, and fans its tails in a realistic manner. However, in order to use these features, the decoy must be fitted with 4 AA batteries.
The downside to the Shake N Jake decoy is that it's expensive, and it's not made from the same durable material as other expensive decoys. This means that the Shake N Jake may not be the best choice for the casual hunter or for someone who is looking to go turkey hunting on a budget. Additionally, because it's equipped with a motor and movable parts, the Shake N Jake is much heavier than other decoys. The decoy weighs approximately nine pounds, making it much heavier to transport than its counterparts.
Take Care of Your Decoys
When shopping around for turkey decoys, you should also think about how you can protect them on your hunting trip. While some decoys come with individual bags, fumbling with three or more carrying cases during your hunt can be time-consuming and distracting. The best turkey decoy bag will be large enough to carry more than one decoy at a time, while sturdy enough to keep all of your decoys protected from damage. For this reason, you should consider spending a little extra money on a good bag to carry with you on your hunt, especially if you think you will be moving around a lot.
Even if you're hunting with the best turkey decoy available, you won't be able to get much out of it without proper maintenance and protection. Decoys that have minor scratches here and there can be touched up with a little bit of paint, but it is important that you replace the ones with a significant amount of damage to them. If the decoy looks unnatural for you, it will probably look just as strange to the turkey.
Conclusion
In order to get the most out of your decoy setup, it is important that you think about which decoys you want to use and how you will place them in a strategic manner. You need to consider what will and won’t work with your surroundings. By learning when to properly use specific genders and postures, you can attract local birds at a much better rate.
One of the biggest challenges to a turkey hunt is trying to outmaneuver their unforgiving eyesight, while outsmarting their instincts. Consider decoys a tool that can help you do both, by distracting the tom turkey and capitalizing on its instinct and hormones to elicit a response. Because of this, learning how to effectively use turkey decoys can not only increase the number of turkeys you bag, but will also make your hunting trip much more fun.
Images by: Amazon.com
