Does anyone do anything to bring your decoys to "life"? I know the real fan. But how about wings? Add real feathers? Is it worth the trouble? I know there's some crazy good looking decoys out there but cost a good bit. How about dolling up the cheapys?

Input and/ or pics appreciated

Saw 8 long beards today and turkey season is starting to poke at my brain!    

I know a guy that used flat cardboard cut into the shape of a turkey. He then painted the head and glued chicken feathers to it. He staked it to the ground opening morning and called in a Tom which attacked his  decoy. Arrow away Tagged out done.

I saw real feathers used on a bought decoy on a show once.  seemed to work good, but what do I know!  some day....

I've used a product called Skinz that is wings, back and breast feathers that Velcro's on a hen decoy. I've haven't had any better luck with it than a regular decoy. Looks good to me, but evidently not to the toms. I am a real believer in the fact that you have to call to a tom at the right time or they will just ignore you. I have days that they come running when I call and a lot more that they go the other way.

I airbrushed mine, have some older cabelas dekes. Painted the heads properly, painted the wings and tails also, glued in some glass eyes and misted with an iradescent paint. Dekes look great now cost about ten bucks and took an hour. I used lifetones laq paint that I use in the shop. Todd

I would love to see a couple of pictures of what you've done to your decoys Tod!

KC, I will take a couple and try to send them to you, not very good w sending pics but will try, Todd

I think some if the newer dekes are very lifelike looking but a bit pricey.  If you have the money and live to turkey hunt it's well worth your investment.  I like to put some of the fine feathers around the neck and head so if the wind blows it moves the feathers.  Glass eyes is another plus.

I have a pair of wings tied together that I drape across the back of my jake decoy. Sometimes I think it really works other times not so much. Looks really good though.

I attach a length of monofilament fishing line to one leg/low on one side of my jake decoy and run it into the pop up blind under the skirt. That way, a little tug (experiment with it) will cause the deke to move on it's stake. Instead of a rocking motion, I go for a back and forth rotation (not a full spin). Works great - sometimes a little motion from the decoys seals the deal. Good luck!

Thanks for responses. Probably over thinking the whole thing. I guess I've just never had a tom come in for a fight with my strutted decoy and always seem to 'skirt' my decoys all together. I'm sure the realism helps, coloring etc.

I'd like to see your pics too todweelz    

Dave, I too have had the toms skirt a strutting decoy. I use a jake and a hen most of the time. This last year I had two longbeards come in at once and one jumped the jake while one mounted the hen.

homer on here swears by the funky chicken he does alot of turkey hunting.

That's a funky looking decoy for sure, makes me wonder.

I have a buddy that uses two mounted turkeys. He kills a lot of turkeys

Here Turkey Skinz Product from A-Way outdoors. Some love it some hate it. We have used them since they first came out and love them  the new ones much more durable that the orginal design
http://awayhunting.com/shop/turkey-skinz-decoy-cover/

I've had hens come up and peck at my Skinz covered hen decoys.  That's good enough for me.