What decoy are you going to use for turkeys this spring???
I've got a DSD that is really nice, but a pain to carry. I usually go with my old Buckwing hens. They've drawn a bunch of birds for me...
Zinks for me. Dave Smith Decoys (DSD) are great as well. Lots of decoys seem to work from a distance, but when the birds get into stickbow range I think it can make a difference to have the most realistic decoy that you can.
Tim google bestturkeydecoy.com.
I have used many different types and wondered if one was much better than another until last year. We went to the Zink avian jake and primos PHD hens and the results were unreal. I saw more longbeads attacking my decoys than I thought possible. My guides run one Avian jake and two PHD hens and they fit nicely into a turkey vest. You can even carry the PHD hens in a cargo pocket.
I keep telling myself I don't need an Avian X.
The best turkey decoy is a great decoy that really brings in them spring gobblers. Couple it with a hen that looks like she is ready to breed and you will have a front row seat to some real action.
DSD jake...hands down the most effective decoy I've ever used in over 30 years of turkey hunting. Alone or with hens, it draws the gobblers in and more importantly, keeps them there for a good shot.
Zinks Avian X for me. :thumbsup:
I used the DSD(jake) last spring. It is what its cracked up to be. By far the best investment ive made for turkey hunting. Worth the $ for sure.
I went with zinc avian x, got them on sale off season and bought three for what one dsd cost.
Avians are nice too got the hen and its very realistic.
AvianX...I have never had birds act so silly around dekes as last year. I have the feeder hen and the jake. I had a gobbler spur a hole in my jake last year before he caught an Ace ;)
Avian x for me as well.
Just got the Zinks Avian X hen with the bestturkeydecoy.com's jake. I'll let you know how it goes this spring :bigsmyl:
I saw an interesting Jake decoy the other day, forgot who made it but it had a normal sized head but abnormally long thin body. Anybody seen the one I'm talking about.
I have used the Zink Avian X the last two years. I am with everybody else, I've never had turkeys so relaxed and in to my decoys before.
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-1bYGpWBMBfA/TbbmYjhT33I/AAAAAAAARQM/uolQtcKFBvw/s640/P1010795.JPG)
I pair it with the Primos Killer B and have had terrific results.
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-oWKTR9yA2ew/UHnpIwtnVaI/AAAAAAAAbYI/gwTLP9mbOgU/s640/P1130649.JPG)
I use a best turkey decoy. Looks awesome, birds were weird last season so I didnt really get a chance to see it in action. Also have a primos she mobile. That looks like crap lol
I just got some dsd and wow they look awsome! cant wait to put them to work this spring....have been using edge products ...the reel feeding hen is not the most realistic looking but very affective!the motion on that lineup is the deal sealer... man is it spring yet :banghead:
I made my own - skinned a gobbler I'd killed, used a piece of dense foam, a larger aluminum arrow shoved up in that foam and then drive a carbon arrow piece into the ground - every puff of wind makes it rotate .... it works exceptionally well (the head a $10 close out at Wal-Mart - the freeze dried copies)
(http://i49.tinypic.com/25zj8li.jpg)
That looks good Brad! I use Dave Smith Decoys, but I really like the looks of those Avians.
Anyone ever try the turkey skinz?
QuoteOriginally posted by hardwaymike:
Anyone ever try the turkey skinz?
I was ready to buy some, but then heard bad bad things about their durability
I tried a turkey skinz and that was my experience. Looked good at first, but got kind of ratty looking quickly.
I use a single Pretty Girl that I "enhanced" the paint job on. She's worked every year I've used her.
Zinks Avian X is close to having a mounted bird with you and keeps the gobblers attention
I have a zinc avian x hen and a dsd hen. I use them interchangably with a primos killer B and they both work fantastic, cant see any difference between them.
This is a good thread. Something I've been thinking of upgrading is my decoys. Mine aren't that great. These ones mentioned look great, but kind of pricey. Trying to convince myself it's worth it.
I got an Avian X hen last spring. Yes it's pricey, but we'll made and with a carry bag that will keep it in good shape. I'm looking at it like an investment, just like a good bow, quality optics or wool clothes. I'll add the gobbler decoy this spring.
Which avian hen are you using alert or the breeder???
Ray, I know what you mean. They should last for years and years. They are definitely WAY better than the ones I have now.
QuoteOriginally posted by highPlains:
[QB] I have used the Zink Avian X the last two years. I am with everybody else, I've never had turkeys so relaxed and in to my decoys before.
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-1bYGpWBMBfA/TbbmYjhT33I/AAAAAAAARQM/uolQtcKFBvw/s640/P1010795.JPG)
It's the 'standing' deke just like this one. It really get's the hen's squawking when I set up in their 'feeding' spot close to their nest area.
Dsd jake this past fall the day i got em
(http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j380/thadsoy/photobucket-40854-1359590907917.jpg)
It's hard to beat the real deal a friend of mine does full body mount jake decoys in half strut, and I have not had a Tom to see this decoy yet and not come in ready to fight yet.
this is the diffrance between dsd and what had worked in the past
(http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j380/thadsoy/photobucket-46583-1359590893791.jpg)
Both of those work.
QuoteOriginally posted by hardwaymike:
Anyone ever try the turkey skinz?
The early models had issues they redisgned them and the feathers are now sewn in. Mine are working great now
QuoteOriginally posted by Whip:
I tried a turkey skinz and that was my experience. Looked good at first, but got kind of ratty looking quickly.
Did you have one of the early models they redisigned them after a couple of years of use and the feathers are now sewn in instead of glued. Ours are working great now
I have used DSD and the 'Bestturkeydecoy'. Both deliver unreal action and birds in tight. Had a buddy pick a 1967 Bear he wanted to kill a bird with, and after the tom spurred the decoy he missed at 10 feet. Bird came right back for more and he made the shot.
Realistic turkey decoys deliver crazy action when in the field.
Youtube clip with Recurved turkeys and decoys (http://youtu.be/LsH7Lo9ACvM)
(http://bestturkeydecoy.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/rickhotsprings-200x300.jpg)
Missed him close and he came back for more-
Bat man, I used the BTD last season and was astounded with the results.
I've used the Best Turkey Decoy Jake and the Avian X Feeder hen for the last two years, just amazeing how the Turkeys respond to these lifelike decoys. I think you could probably just use the jake alone and do just as good. In the last two years I have had 16 Gobblers in to these decoys, I think every one of them came directly to the jake. My partner uses the Avian X hen and Jake and does just as well. RW
(http://i559.photobucket.com/albums/ss37/RWMACKEY/DSC_0130.jpg)
With all due respect, of which little is due, you guys are NOT a good influence. I mean this with the deepest respect and admiration........really.
homebru
P.S. yes, I burned the better part of a c-note
You got off cheap Nathan. I have a DSD jake and a submissive hen on the way. :rolleyes:
I feel your pain i orderd the jake, feeding hen and tje deer...than the wife intercepted the delivery and seen the invoice....thank goodness she thought the totals for the dear only(the folks at dsd are an understanding bunch) unfortunately had to sacrifice the deer... but man them turkeys are beautiful :goldtooth:
:confused:
I like DSD's. Here is why? Check it out. :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LinDEdpFGyo&feature=share&list=UUCP6VB_-SbGCIUkLOltGFgg
(http://i380.photobucket.com/albums/oo247/Buxndiverdux/DSC_0007-1-1.jpg)
Nice shot :archer2:
I am by no means a good turkey hunter. It took me years and years to finally kill one with my bow. But Joey pointed me in the right direction. EVERY single year, I would get multiple birds in shotgun range but then they would shy away. For years I thought I was doing something wrong in my calling. First year with a DSD decoy and my wife and I both killed our first birds in two days. Not to mention the multiple birds I lured in for buddies who then MMMIIIISSSEEED them! The cheap foam decoys are great with a gun. In fact I will even say killing turkeys with a gun would be easy where I hunt since I routinely get them in gun range. But getting them into bow range seems to take a more convincing setup. I am now convinced that I would be better off with no decoy at all than to put a not so real looking one out. Again. I am NOT a very successful turkey hunter, but my close calls/encounters went up probably 500% when I spent the money on a realistic looking decoy. Like I said, I would rather not have a decoy than have a not so convincing one.