I'm in the market for decoys and would like some input on what you guys use. Do you have one set up for the whole season or do you change it up as the season progresses?
Thanks!
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I'm in the market for decoys and would like some input on what you guys use. Do you have one set up for the whole season or do you change it up as the season progresses?
Thanks!
I'd prioritize buying the most realistic hen decoy you can afford.
I've been lucky enough to recover 2 road kill hens over the years and converted them into decoys.
Realism certainly makes a difference
https://live.staticflickr.com/832/40...b231693b_z.jpg[url=https://flic.kr/p/25qjh8Q]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pw3vYnoLeNg
This is what I use. I put a real Jake tail on it. It’s been very effective, the spur holes and cuts can attest to that. If you go this route, buy an extra stake. They don’t hold up well when a monster gobbler jumps on the decoy. That’s happened a number of times. I also use one receptive hen decoy, positioned further away from the bush line when hunting field edges.
If money isn’t an issue, look at Dave Smith decoys...pricey, but taken care of, will last forever !!
Avien-X
i would just buy a hen or 2 to start.
Thanks for the replies! I've looked at the Avian x jake and hen combo a few times and though that might be a good start. Maybe I'll throw in an extra hen.
I've seen that one on sale a few times and was debating on buying it! Thanks for the advice!Quote:
Originally Posted by rick_iles
One DSD Hen is all you need to get started. Good Luck.
Although I've harvested turkeys using cheaper decoys in the past, I've upgraded to Avian X over the years and much prefer them
I have used every combo from 0 decoys to 6 decoys, 4 hens and 2 Jake's, all have worked. I don't care the brand, just purchase the best you can afford. I like a hen or two and a Jake with tail as my favourite. I am not a fan of a Tom with tail, it can be intimidating to other birds, you will generally find that they only attract other large Toms. I have my first Tom tail on display; but now I have no problem harvesting a Jake, I find the big old Toms just that, big and old, tougher than a young Jake.
DSD, no comparison.
DSD is top notch but I run Axian X. Breeder hen, jake and full strut Tom using real fan. I use them all, none or just the hen, depending on the day.
Pretty happy with Axian X, I use my hen decoy coyote hunting and the paint has held up well being dragged across snow/ice.
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I use a hen and Jake decoy with real Jake fan tied to it.
This has worked for me with the same decoys IAttachment 39811 bought ten years ago.
I just touch up the paint now and then as needed
I shoot 2 birds a year over an old, beat up, worn out, jake decoy that was 24.99 new. The foam doesn't unroll properly anymore, so its tail is bent to the side and one side is usually dented in. 10 years in I'm still killing gobblers.
My advice, though, is to buy the best you can afford. Life is too short to hunt over ugly decoys.
Do as I say, not as I do!!
I have two thoughts on this topic
(1) Spend what you want to spend on decoys - if you are comfortable spending $300 on decoys go ahead but it is not required. This is a hobby you enjoy, so spending money on hunting gear rarely equates to I 'need' this but rather I 'want' this. I have a dedicated turkey gun I am embarrassed to say how much $$ I have put into it, but it was all based on want not need.
(2) I shot my first turkey back in 2006 and I used one of those ugly flat foam decoys (that was really all that was available back then) and it did the job pretty good. Now I had some tricks to stop if spinning like a propeller in the wind, but it brought lots of turkeys within the range of Nelli. I since bought a set of Bobbin' Head decoys (8 years ago) because they were more robust, easier to pack and set-up, and more realistic than the foam decoys. I just do not know how easier or quicker my hunts would be if I invested in $300 in a new decoy set-up.........probably nothing will change.
If you want them buy them......and enjoy them! Life is too short to hunt with an ugly gun!Attachment 39812
Quote:
Originally Posted by Deer Hunter
Good posts...I too only use Hens. Most of the time just one.Quote:
Originally Posted by 410001661
I also bought those bobble heads...they look real good in a slight breeze. With head moving, they look a little more realistic, never fail to attract the Tom's
Any decoy will likely work. I never had much luck with decoys but that was hunting field edges with the old foam ones. Now I go into the bush a little bit and use no decoys and have a way better success rate at calling them in. And I already have enough stuff to pack in.
I have one of those "Primos Chicken on a stick"..... I put or glued some real turkey feathers to the tail... It fits in my turkey vest, pull it out when needed.... Last season, I used it for the first time......... "Turkey Reaping".......... and it (to my surprise) worked well.. lol... pretty cool to have turkeys running in to me... :)
I'm with Bandwagon on this one - DSD's. How else are you gonna see the splatter?
Attachment 39814
Thanks for all the replies. Have lots of options now!
I have tried different decoys in the past and Avian x decoys have no paint loss so far. Like others said buy what you can afford and every decoy will work at some point. I would rather wait and hunt with no decoys, until you could buy something more realistic then hunt with those foam decoys LOL Im sure they work too but I just cant stand looking at those things.
I shoot 90% of my birds with no decoys out, but when I do use decoys I have Avian-X.
I'll go against the grain here and say that most times I'll run a single Jake over hens. I like to keep them guessing where the "hen" (me) is. I find they hang up less often, as they're actively looking for the hen -- the single Jake gives them something to look at and get pissed off about.
-Nick
That's what I have also found; no decoys are often better when they're getting hung up. Let them come looking for the hen that is calling. I do most of my successful hunting with NO decoys.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sprite
Having said that, time of day sometimes dictate a change in tactics. I will use a hen (or2) in the bush during the late afternoon hunts, when the Hens are brooding and the Tom's/Jakes are out alone.
I find the big thing with using decoys, is don’t be afraid to change things up. Many times I’ve seen gobblers hang up. I wait until he goes away, then crawl out and retrieve the decoys. Start calling again and usually it will come right in looking for the noisy hen!!
Another tactic I've found with no decoys is to never call when a gobbler can clearly see your setup. Several times I've been calling while a tom is approaching at an excruciatingly slow pace (mistake), only to have him tuck his wings and get out of dodge when he doesn't see a hen.Quote:
Originally Posted by rick_iles
A lot of the time I'll only call to a tom when he's behind cover or a tree. A quiet two or three note yelp is usually all that's needed!
- Nick
Usually when they bolt like that, they have seen movement. I don’t call when I see a gobbler coming.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sprite
I should have rephrased to say that it can and will make them nervous.Quote:
Originally Posted by rick_iles
Nick - All I've ever had was a lone Jake. Seems to work just fine. I've had henned-up toms come check it out and keep moving with their hens, but generally they either ignore me or come in on a wire.
My first turkey hunt was with Dave Reid. He released the first wild turkeys into Ontario, down by Turkey Point. I asked him if he only had one decoy, what would it be. He said a jake. He wasn't wrong.
I love using my full strut tom decoy the first week of the season.
Nothing beats a big old tom running in tripping over his beard
I have an Avien-x hen, and it sometimes works well.
I have a full strut gobbler, but haven’t had luck with it - seems to scare off other gobblers more than attract them.
I just ordered the Funky Chicken jake to try it this year.
I like full strut decoys later in the season either by themselves or with a hen. For whatever reason I always seem to see the toms group up and start the prowl together coming off the roost.
Love my Avian-X decoys. I use the jake with a couple of hens early, then ditch the jake for either a single or 2 hens. See what works, or doesn't, and mix it up when things aren't working.
https://youtu.be/rYsOf2UFeJs
Have been using the same Walmart jake and hen set for a number of years, the hard rubber foldable type, not the foam ones. They've held up well and have attracted their fair share of curious toms.
Having said that, I was at Cabelas recently -pre lockdown- and was incredibly amazed at the lifelike appearance of the Avian X set, real high end stuff. I think it's time for me to stop being a cheapskate and pay-up for the top tier stuff.
I have an avian hen and a full strut tom. My hunting style is mobile I like to move and I don’t use a blind. I find the Tom doesn’t deflate very well and carrying it with a fan tail as well is cumbersome, too cumbersome for my liking with backpack, gun hen decoy etc. As a result he’s seen little use in the last two years. I even find the hen a pain When it’s inflated To be honest and also inconvenient to constantly inflate/deflate. Something to be considered imo.
This is what I've just done. Bought what I could afford. Picked up the primos Tom and hen, $56. Let you know in a couple weeks how it works out.Quote:
Originally Posted by Doug
I use an avian x, and a bobbin head, both hens, but honestly, I've shot more birds with no decoys out than with them out, so don't be afraid to try with none. I have a tom and a jake as well, but haven't had any luck with them out.
Work on your calling. I find its more important than a $300 decoy. The decoy is useless if you can't call for crap.
S.
Whats everyones thoughts on what to put out? I have a hen and a jake decoy...was thinking of just starting out on opener with just the hen...Ive got 1 nice tom strutting for 3 hens for the last 3 mornings. Same spot...any suggestions?
At least if you get the hens to come to your decoys the Tom will want to take a round out of the Jake decoy so it might bring him close enough....Quote:
Originally Posted by Jow
Or....He might stand at 60 yards and strut for 20 minutes until he loses interest and buggers off. I've had it both ways lol
Guess that's what makes turkey hunting so fun.
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