Decoys

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January 17th, 2021, 08:48 AM
Bubba14

Decoys

Good morning all!

My old decoys have pretty much had it. I'm looking for some suggestions on replacing them with something that isn't going to be overly
expensive.

Thanks in advance!
January 17th, 2021, 10:45 AM
genec

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bubba14

Good morning all!

My old decoys have pretty much had it. I'm looking for some suggestions on replacing them with something that isn't going to be overly
expensive.

Thanks in advance!

I gave up on cheap decoys because they look cheap!
i have 1 Avian-X hen that is super realistic, and well worth the money.
January 17th, 2021, 10:28 PM
tom gobble

I agree with the above post. Not saying cheeper decoys don't work but what I am saying is the durability of a better decoy and the realism is worth the one time purchase. I do have a Avian X hen and bit less expensive H&S strut jake. The Avian X decoy still looks like when I first opened the box. Buy what you can afford
January 18th, 2021, 03:27 PM
finsfurfeathers

Its true you get what you pay for. Truly believe realistic eyes and colouring can help, by how much I don't know. You have lots of time. Check out what looks good to you and relative prices. Then keep in mind around 2 weeks before the season should be able to find deals especially at big box stores. Also keep an eye on Kijiji there is always someone who buys all the latest stuff than realizes they have different interest and tries to unload that stuff. If you know your prices and able to negociate can get some good deals.
January 18th, 2021, 04:22 PM
410001661

I have shot a pile of turkeys over my Bobbin' Head decoys. Did not cost me much, but they work well and pack down small enough to put in the back of my vest.
January 18th, 2021, 04:30 PM
MikePal

Quote:

Originally Posted by 410001661

I have shot a pile of turkeys over my Bobbin' Head decoys. Did not cost me much, but they work well and pack down small enough to put in the back of my vest.

I have some of those, getting old by even my standards :) I've added a few drain hole, but they still work great. I like the eating hens, work great in the bush with a slight breeze. Just enough movement.
January 18th, 2021, 04:31 PM
finsfurfeathers

Quote:

Originally Posted by 410001661

I have shot a pile of turkeys over my Bobbin' Head decoys. Did not cost me much, but they work well and pack down small enough to put in the back of my vest.

Ya that's another consideration. A bit of movement does add another level of realism that a stationary decoy may not have.
January 18th, 2021, 04:35 PM
machron

MikePal - Drain holes in a turkey decoy? Never heard of such a thing... Why would you need something like that? Guess you hunt in the rain alot. lol
January 18th, 2021, 04:48 PM
kokes

Buy some Dave Smith decoys and you'll never buy anything else again, buy once-cry once
January 20th, 2021, 09:52 AM
410001661

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikePal

I have some of those, getting old by even my standards :) I've added a few drain hole, but they still work great. I like the eating hens, work great in the bush with a slight breeze. Just enough movement.

Mine are not long for this world and have seen literally hundreds of hunts, but they get the job done and they do not owe me anything. The only thing I make sure of is:

- I make sure they are free of constraints and that they get some movement. Adjust the spring and nut on them so the heads bob naturally.
- Every couple of years I re-paint the eyes black with model paint and then coat them with a nail polish so they get that shiny look to them.
- I store them when not hunting stuffed with newspaper so that they keep their shape

Remember there are people out there creating new gadgets every day to separate you from your money that in the end do nothing other than fill your garage & not your tag.
January 20th, 2021, 10:02 AM
Bowjob

im not sure the whole get what you pay for works in every instance. we have a jake only used it for 1 year the paint is already coming off of it cause of the rain and stuff i guess, we used my uncles old decoys paint is basically done on them but they still work. everything is so overpriced now ridiculous lol
January 20th, 2021, 10:14 AM
410001661

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bowjob

im not sure the whole get what you pay for works in every instance. we have a jake only used it for 1 year the paint is already coming off of it cause of the rain and stuff i guess, we used my uncles old decoys paint is basically done on them but they still work. everything is so overpriced now ridiculous lol

By the time the turkey gets close enough to your decoy to see the missing paint he should be flopping on the ground dead.
January 29th, 2021, 07:19 AM
Sprite

I have an Avian X hen and Jake.

To be honest though, 99% of my turkeys are shot in the hardwoods without decoys -- and that's just the way I like it!

-N.
January 29th, 2021, 01:14 PM
Bowjob

Quote:

Originally Posted by 410001661

By the time the turkey gets close enough to your decoy to see the missing paint he should be flopping on the ground dead.

agreed haha,

this year hopefully i get the chance, seems like im always on the other side of the property when they come out kinda like theyre taunting me hahha.

" im on this side today"
next day i go sit on that side
they go to the original side i was sitting.
next day i sit in same spot as day 2
still go back to original side lol what the hell!
then ont he drive home you see like a group of 10 toms on someones fence line LOL
January 29th, 2021, 02:11 PM
finsfurfeathers

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bowjob

agreed haha,

this year hopefully i get the chance, seems like im always on the other side of the property when they come out kinda like theyre taunting me hahha.

" im on this side today"
next day i go sit on that side
they go to the original side i was sitting.
next day i sit in same spot as day 2
still go back to original side lol what the hell!
then ont he drive home you see like a group of 10 toms on someones fence line LOL

Sounds like you need a hunter decoy to cover the other spot
February 1st, 2021, 10:51 AM
410001661

Quote:

Originally Posted by finsfurfeathers

Sounds like you need a hunter decoy to cover the other spot

Or you bring your nubee buddy hunting with you and put him where you do NOT want them to go - LOL
February 2nd, 2021, 07:14 PM
Bowjob

Quote:

Originally Posted by 410001661

Or you bring your nubee buddy hunting with you and put him where you do NOT want them to go - LOL

LOL for real hahah
February 22nd, 2021, 08:05 PM
WranglerWild17

One thing I have learned over the years, if you buy cheap products you get cheap results (lifespan). I've used foam decoys painted by myself when I was a kid lol. But I bit the bullet bought the tom + jake + hen with the remote for the strutting Tom. Bought the setup 6 years ago? 12 birds since... and doesn't look like I'll have to buy new anytime soon.
Avian-X was the brand- bought the laydown hen + Jake.

Bass pro sells some that are $9.99 (US) on sale right now "REDHEAD" brand which I have also used, they were the ones that after 5-6 years they faded.
March 7th, 2021, 01:42 AM
firedeptlt

I will be buying the Avian X HDR hen and jake ( 169.99 and 179.99 respectively minus 10% and free shipping from Sail ). You can buy the same two as a package from Cabelas but no discount. I considered Dave Smith decoys but decided on the Avian.
I'm tired of piecing stuff together from Kijiji so I'm biting the bullet on the new ones.

As for people that have faded or dull decoys I have heard that using a bit of Armour All will give it a crazy sheen. I have not tried this but it seems plausible.