Best Turkey Decoys — 2021 Reviews And Top Picks

Durability of the Turkey’s Decoy

It should be made of high-quality materials, especially decoy’s stake as it has to be stable. A good decoy has to resist any weather conditions and the harshest environments.

Price

Price is one of the factors that make you buy a certain item. There are many cheap decoys that turn out to provide a good performance expensive decoys become a useless purchase.

The Real-Like Body Details

The decoy which has a real-like painting that includes everything in detail lures turkeys more than any other. The poorly made decoy that lacks the true to life look decreases your chances to hunt a turkey. It is also important what quality of paint is used as it should fade after some time and still be attractive.

Transportation

The decoy has to be foldable so it is easy to carry along with other hunting gear a hunter has. It is great if the decoy comes with a carrying bag.

Stake

There is no doubt that the stake has to be stable and resist any weather conditions, especially heavy wind. It should be made of a metal instead of a plastic material. Look for a stake which height can be regulated.

Materials

The material is an essential factor; the decoy should not fade or be easily damaged. Weather conditions, in turn, can be extremely changeable, so the bait should be resistant to wind and rain.

Setting Up

The decoy should not take much time to get ready to use it and set up. Make sure it does not require any adjustments and additional information to figure out how to use it correctly, so you don’t have to waist the time.

Top Decoy Brands

Among all the brands presented on the market, you should pay attention to Primos, Montana, and Feather Flex decoys.

How Did We Test Different Decoys?

We have asked manufacturers to send us their models for reviews so that we could test their products. We have been testing the decoys for two years in different regions of the USA at different times of the year. We have run various tests; for example, we have used special scales to measure the weight and recreated different weather conditions to test durability. To test the realism of the models, we located them at a distance of 40-60 yards and examined the effect and behavior of other turkeys. We have checked the turkey decoys by ourselves, and our tests have proved its effectiveness.

Types Of Turkey Decoys

Inflatable

This decoy is rather portable and made to be folded to a compact size. It usually has a metal stake. This type of decoy provides 3D construction. Be careful when carrying it as it can be easily punctured. It is lightweight but it takes more time than any other type to set up.

Collapsible

Hunters like them the most cause it fits the pack. The decoy looks real-like and has different texture. Hunter should not forget that it does not have to be folded very tough as it may change its shape.

Soft sided

These decoys are also portable and easy to use. There is nothing special you do with it but to unfold it and set up attaching to the stake.

Stalking

Such decoys help the hunter to hide. It may remind you an Asian fan. They can be used as stationary one. You also can try to attach it to gun’s barrel.

Motion

Motion decoys can be rather effective if hunter knows how to use it right and the quality of it is not poor. When the decoy’s head moves same as its stake, it can convince tom to make a few steps to come closure to it.

Tom, Jake or Hen decoy – what to use?

Tom Turkey

Gobbler decoy imitate mature bird that comes in full or half arrogant position. It challenges the toms to a duel. Being a mature it may frighten inferior toms or jakes.

Best Tom Decoy from our list – Rinehart Tom Turkey Target

Jake Turkey

This decoy type is less intimidated than the tom’s one. It is a male turkey that is ready to breed, except the dominant one. It is a wise choice for hunter who’d like to attract turkey faster and do not threat to inferior toms or jakes.

Best Jake Decoy from our list – Primos Gobbstopper Jake Turkey Decoy

Hen Turkey

This one decoy is great to use during spring breeding season and in case you are going to hunt in a public place. Hen turkey decoy is available in a great range of postures and colors.

Best Hen Decoy from our list – Feather Flex Decoys SF00845 Turkey Hen Decoy

Where to place the decoy?

To make your turkey decoy visible it is better to set it up in the open field. You also can put the decoy pretending it leaves the field what makes gobblers to react immediately before it’s not too late. Breeding pose of the decoy is another good idea for setting up.

Early Season Setting Up

In this time birds tend to strut areas during the day, so that is why you should look for a strutting decoy. It is time when with the help of strutting decoy you show off to toms and to females as well. The major thing that set up requires is timing.

Mid Season Setting Up

Instead of the full strut decoy you would need a half strut jake decoy during this season. It is time when breeding is in full vigor. You won’t even need to take a hen with yourself as placing a jake and producing hen’s call easily can make turkey to become interested. Such strategy will work better in the morning and afternoon.

Late Season Setting Up

During this time you won’t need anything but hen decoy as gobblers in this period are too excited. If you set up the decoy in the upright pose you show that the hen is interested in gobbler. Do not forget about calling and whether gobbler responds to it then it’s time to hurry up setting up hen decoy.

The Distance Between The Decoy And Your Spot

None of the hunters can say for sure how far away you should be. The approximate distance between you and the decoy is about 23-26 yards.

What Are The Positions For Setting Up?

Feeding

Feeding position is when the decoy’s head is down to the food plot. Hunters usually use hen decoy, but it also can be used along with the male decoy which has to face your blind.

Walking

For this positing you will need a few decoys. It pretends that they leave the field and head to the forest or somewhere else. You can place a hen and set up tom with jake behind it. It will make tom to catch that hen.

Fighting

If you are ready it is time to make some action. Placing tom and jake towards each other, face to face that makes other turkeys to be interested in a battle. However, such position may frighten non-aggressive turkeys.

Breeding

Here you need a hen and tom decoys. You should place the hen on the ground and tom behind it in the attempt to imitate mating position. It definitely drives other toms crazy to fight for a hen.

Tips for Setting Up the Decoy

Number of Decoys to Use

Hunters believe that the more decoys you install, the better. The minimum number of required decoys is a dozen, rarely less, but no less than six.

Camouflage to Use

Hunters should apply camouflage to succeed. These requirements apply to your position, clothes, and weapons. Clothes should match the environment. To hide the color of the face and hands contrasting with the clothes, they should be covered with a specially produced toning cream for this purpose.

Try to think carefully about anything that may expose you. We’ve gotten used to some smells, so much that we do not notice them; others may be too weak for your nose, so you shouldn’t rely on your sense of smell.

Use odor neutralizers. It is a unique tool for hunters, which can mask intense aromas. Made in different forms (soap, lotion, oil), they are universal and may be applied to your clothes, weapons, and body.

FAQ

We prepared a section to answer the most commonly asked questions about turkey decoys.

How Many Decoys Do You Need to Succeed?

It is highly recommended to use a dozen decoys, rarely less, but no less than six. The best way is to install decoys is in small groups of three to five pieces, with a distance of one yard, and at least three to four yards between the groups.

Where to Place the Decoy?

The correct location of decoys is an important factor in a successful hunt. Methods of placement depend mainly on the direction of the wind. Lately, a large number of diverse moving decoys, working in the wind, and on batteries have appeared. Remember that your decoy should be easily noticeable, so don’t try to hide it.

Try to find a high site with a good field of view. Keep in mind the fact that you should stay motionless, so the position you use should be comparatively comfortable and roomy.

Do not place decoys very close to each other; it may create a sense of anxiety and scare away birds. Turkeys do not stay close but scatter over considerable distances. They gather in groups only if they sense danger.

How Far Away Should Your Position Be?

Make sure it’s close enough for the shot, but not too close to give away your presence. The best way to use a turkey decoy is to place it at a distance of 23-26 yards for where you will be positioned.

Conclusion

As you can see there are great ranges of turkey decoys that provide various postures and can be used for a definite purpose. Following the previous instructions makes it more clear how to choose a good one decoy to succeed in such a difficult activity as turkey hunting.