A quality turkey decoy can be the key to luring in that ultra-wary old tom into shooting range. With so many options on the market, it can be tricky to decide which turkey decoy is the best to add to your spread.
Should you go with an inflatable or a hard body decoy? Does motion help or just spook turkeys? Is a realistic paint job worth the extra cost? While personal preference plays a role, there are some clear winners when it comes to the most effective and durable turkey decoys.
Here is a look at some of the best turkey decoys available in multiple categories to upgrade your turkey hunting arsenal.
Most Realistic Overall: Avian-X LCD Hen
For unmatched realism that convinces even the wariest longbeards, it’s hard to beat the Avian-X LCD hen decoy. Legendary turkey hunter Fred Zink pioneered these collapsible inflatable decoys.
The PVC rubber body inflates for realistic shape and impressively detailed paint scheme. The LCD paint mimics light reflective feathers, while the posture perfectly imitates a relaxed hen. The smaller size makes it visible at distance.
Stuff it in your vest and inflate in minutes with a few breaths. It offers great motion on breeze days. While not cheap it’s built to last after years of abuse. For pure realism the LCD is the gold standard turkey decoy.
Best Motion Decoy: Mojo Outdoors Strut Spin
If motion is your priority, Mojo’s battery-powered Strut Spin is a top choice. Just push a button on the remote to activate the spinning base that rotates the full strut gobbler in an aggressive circle.
The detailed paint and realistic materials make it look like the real deal. It runs for 8+ hours on one set of batteries. The metal stake and body stand up to repeated use. Motion often convinces hesitant toms to close the distance. Just be sure motion decoys are legal in your state.
Most Durable: Montana Decoy Miss PurrFect
For ruggedness, Montana Decoy’s Miss PurrFect is one of the toughest and most portable hen decoys around. The XD (Extreme Detail) fabric cover resists tears or damage while remaining lightweight at just 1.5 pounds.
It compresses down smaller than any hard decoy for slipping into your vest Two adjustable leg stakes allow posing upright or feeding Varying head positions also add versatility. The textured fabric flutter creates great movement. Backed by Montana’s lifetime warranty, it’s built to last.
Best Hard Body Decoy: Dave Smith Hen
For ultra-realistic hard shell durability, Dave Smith Decoys (DSD) are unmatched Their high-tech elastomer resin stays flexible even in frigid conditions yet is self-healing if peppered with shot.
Every detail down to the individual feathers is impressively realistic. The durable metal stake and upright posture lend confidence. At 3 pounds, it’s light enough for carrying while very rugged.
While pricey, DSDs are American-made heirlooms that should serve you for decades, making them a worthwhile investment. For beauty and brawn combined, it’s hard to top Dave Smith’s offerings.
Best Budget Decoy: Primos Breeder Hen Decoy
For hunters on a budget, Primos’ Breeder Hen is a bargain that delivers respectable realism for a fraction of the cost of premium brands. At under $30, it’s great for building an inexpensive flock.
The detailed painting and flocking mimic real feathers. The breeding posture and scalloped edges create a content hen silhouette. It’s a bit thick for folding up, but at 1.5 pounds it’s easy to transport. For cost-conscious hunters, this decoy punches above its weight.
Most Versatile Full Strut: Montana Decoy Mr. Strut
A full strut decoy is extremely tempting to dominant gobblers. For versatility, Montana Decoy’s Mr. Strut is hard to beat with adjustable features galore.
The hard folding body is compact to transport. A remote controlled spinning base offers eye-catching motion. The modular head switches between dominant/submissive poses while the beard length adjusts. You can also add real fan feathers. At under $100, it’s quality for the price.
Best for Safety: Primos Half-Strut Jake Decoy
For public land safety, a half-strut jake decoy is less likely to get mistaken for a real bird compared to full strut tom models. Primos’ decoy keeps a realistic profile without dangerous over-aggression.
The mid-strut posture is perfect for challenging territorial gobblers. The paint scheme beautifully mimics real feathers. At just 2 pounds, it’s highly portable yet durable. Two collapsible stakes allow upright and feeding poses. For safer public land setups, the jake fits the bill wonderfully.
Most Portable: Avian-X LCD Jake Decoy
Inflatable decoys are naturally ultra-packable, and Avian-X’s LCD Jake folds
How you choose to position your decoys is equally as important as which ones you decide to use.
With the right decoys and an enticing setup, I was able to score this double on Kansas gobblers.
I am new to bowhunting turkeys and want to use decoys to improve my odds. What decoys work best, and does it matter how I set them up? — T. Sweeney, via e-mail
Bowhunting turkeys and using decoys go hand in hand. Any decoy can work in the right situation, especially when the toms are really fired-up. But that is the exception rather than the norm.
Decoys have evolved over time, and there are so many available options these days, it can be downright overwhelming, especially for newbies. Hen and jake dekes are the norm, but strutting tom decoys, and those that mount to your bow, have become the rage in recent years.
My decoy setup has adapted over time, and it will vary throughout the season. Which brand you use is a personal preference, but there are particular decoy styles and postures that have worked best for me. Advertisement
My number-one setup when hunting out of a ground blind or tucked into cover is a submissive jake decoy with one to three hens. I have used this combination for as long as I can remember; from the early days over foam-style decoys to the realistic molded decoys of today. The ultra-realistic decoys do have a heftier price tag, so I refrained from splurging on them for quite some time. But once I spent the money, I was glad I did, because my success rate since doing so has never been better. They look so real that turkeys readily accept them.
I prefer a more submissive/subordinate posture of whatever jake decoy I’m using. It triggers a response from toms that I rarely experienced with my cheaper decoys. Once they commit, there is no hesitation, and you may even get to enjoy watching a longbeard give the submissive jake decoy a good flogging (if you’re patient enough), before you shoot the aggressive tom.
Later in the season, I will lose the jake and go with just a single hen. After confrontations all spring, male birds can become shy to any competition, but they will still investigate a lone hen. Also, the more aggressive birds will come running to a lonely hen. I typically use an upright-posture, molded-plastic hen decoy that is very realistic. Advertisement
In this photo, I have several hen decoys out in front of me, and I’m using my bow-mounted tom as a blind.
How you position your decoys is equally important, if not more so, than the brand/style of decoy itself. Regardless of whether you’re hunting out of a commercial ground blind or from a natural hide, set your decoys close to you. I set my decoys facing me, and less than 10 yards from my blind. If cover is limited in a natural hide, setting them farther out may be necessary, but I would refrain from going past 15 yards. Turkeys have a small vital area, so the closer they are, the better your odds of making that perfect shot. Also, cautious birds have a tendency not to commit fully to the decoys. If you position them close, the tom will hopefully still be within your range, even if he hangs up short.
A relatively new concept involves a bow-mounted strutting tom decoy. Basically, the goal is to use this type decoy to pick a fight with another strutting tom. This run-and-bow style of hunting can be a lot of fun and yield some amazing encounters. For best results, use topography to maneuver in close before the tom sees the intruding decoy. If the bird doesn’t get aggressive and charge in, you can continue to crawl toward him to provoke a fight. I have had loads of success using this tactic.
I recently started experimenting with a bow-mounted decoy in conjunction with other decoys. The bow deke serves as my “blind,” and I position the other decoys accordingly. It is the best of both worlds, because you don’t have to carry a heavy blind around, and you can set up virtually anywhere. I intend to continue playing around with this setup a lot more this spring! Also, it goes without saying, that safety should be your first concern with bow-mounted decoys. Make sure there are no other hunters around.
E-mail your ASK BOWHUNTER questions to [email protected].
Video That May Interest You
Curt Wells of Bowhunter TV stops by the Browning Trail Cameras booth to discuss the new AI technology on the popular Pro Scout Max with Chief Design Officer John Traywick. What this essentially means is that users can now control which pictures theyll see and which pictures they wont by telling each cameras what s it should transmit. Gone are the days of having to sort through every picture that features a squirrel, raccoon, crow or any other critter that you dont wish to view. They also take a look at some new accessories — a solar panel with a built-in lithium cell, as well as a rechargeable lithium ion battery pack.
Bowhunter TVs Curt Wells stops by the QAD booth at the 2025 Archery Trade Show for his annual visit with Kevin Fry. By now, most bowhunters know all about the integrate mounting systems that nearly every bow manufacturer has incorporated into their flagship rigs. QAD has a pair of rests to fit those molds — the Ultrarest Integrate MX2 with micro-adjudt capabilities, as well as the Ultrarest Integrate R2. For archers that still wish to shoot an Ultrarest on an older bow that doesnt feature the integrate mounting system, fear not — QAD still offers a full lineup of Berger Button mounted models, including the Ultrarest HDX among others.
North American Whitetails Blake Garlock stops for a chat with Bowtechs Bryan Hodakievic at the 2025 ATA Show in Indianapolis. The brand launched the Virtue on the first day of the show, which features the AeroMag magnesium riser — resulting in a mass wright of just 3.7 ounces. DeadLock Technology also returns, allowing for cam adjustments without the need for a bow press. This bow will hit the market with a price tag of $1,999. Additionally, the pair also discuss the other new Bowtech models for 2025 — the Proven 34 and the Solution LS.
Curt Wells of Bowhunter TV visits with Chris James of FeraDyne Outdoors at the 2025 Archery Trade Show in Indianapolis, where they discuss the innovative technologies behind two of the most well-known target brands on the market — BLOCK and GlenDel. BLOCK, of course, features layered foam technology, essentially stopping arrows with friction instead of force. Not only is that easier on your arrows, but also results in easier arrow removal. Whats not as known by archers is that the same layered technology is also used in the GlenDel 3-D targets under an added overmold.
Ripcords Jeff Baker talks through their latest arrow rest lineup for 2025 with North American Whitetails Black Garlock at the 2025 Archery Trade Association show in Indianapolis. There are three options to choose from this year, inlcuding the RAK — a cable-driven rest with standard adjustment — as well as the Ratchet line, which comes in either a cable-driven or limb-driven design. This line comes available in standard or micro-adjustable options, and the limb-driven Ratchet also feature the whale tail launcher.
Gary Cornum, Marketing Director for Easton Archery, shows Bowhunter TVs Curt Wells some exciting new offerings for the new year at the annual Archery Trade Show in Indianapolis. It all starts with the latest version of the popular Full Metal Jacket arrow — the FMJ Max. Built on a lighter-weight platform than regular FMJs, you can now get the heavy-hitting benefits of the FMJ while going a bit lighter in the form of the FMJ Max. Additionally, the new Easton 5.0 is an all-carbon arrow built on the lightest-weight platform the company has every produced.
One of the most innovative products at the 2025 ATA Show came from the G5 Outdoors booth. In this video, Bowhunter Editor Chirsitan Berg gets the lowdown on the 2025 Prime Archery Form from Brand Manager Brian Anderson. The Form is the worlds first hybrid carbon/aluminum bow, essentially aiming to place the right materials in the right places. In other words, Prime created a lighter, stiffer rig by placing both carbon rods and aluminum exactly where it needs to be. This method increased overall stiffness by 47.5 percent, while decreasing weight to just 4.1 ounces — the lightest bow Prime has ever taken to market.
Hunter Safety System, long known for their top-notch safety harnesses and lifelines for traditional treestand hunters, has made a big leap into the saddle hunting world for 2025. Here, Bowhunter Editor Christian Berg talks to Michael Wydner of HSS about that transition at the Archery Trade Show in Indianapolis. He also gives us and in-depth demonstration of the new individual products, such as the Defender Saddle, Legend Platform, and the SlapStrap system.
Bowhunter Editor Christian Berg visits with Joe Jacks of Kenetrek Boots at the 2025 ATA Show in Indianapolis. For the new year, Kenetrek has launched the new Elevated Extreme boots, specifically with the saddle hunter in mind. With a 7mm full-length midsole, these boots are built to neutralize platform soreness so that you can stay comfortable all day long. Additionally, Kenetreks Grapon outsoles give you exactly what you need for the hike out, without the worry of getting your feet caught up on your platform when in the saddle.
Chris James of FeraDyne Outdoors gives Bowhunter TV host Curt Wells an introduction to the new Hypo 2 broadhead at the 2025 ATA Show in Indianapolis. The Hypo 2 follows a long, successful tenure from the original Hypodermic. Rage fanatics will immediately notice a couple of things. First, the Hypo 2s will come in a 4-pack instead of the standard three, as well as a re-designed Shock Collar system that now allows for each collar to be shot three different times. It didnt take long to garner some attention on the show floor either, as the Hypo 2 took the hardware as the “2025 ATA Best New Broadhead.”
Nobody takes as much pride in their traditional offerings as Bear Archery, and thats as true this year as its ever been. Here, Bears Neil Byce visits with OSGs Lynn Burkhead at the 2025 ATA Show to discuss the whats new in their traditional world. It starts with the new Hammer Grip on the Fred Bear Take Down — the most popular traditional bow in the world. The new grip option provides a low-profile alternative for a more relaxed, comfortable hold, and is available in both A- and B-length risers. The other addition discussed is a new 64-inch option on the beloved Super Kodiak bow, which will greatly benefit taller bowhunters.
OSGs Lynn Burkhead checks out the latest and greatest from Trophy Ridge at the 2025 ATA Show in Indianapolis. Design Engineer Andrew Hughes shows off a number of impressive bow sights, including the Digital React — available in both single-pin and three-pin models — and the SWFT Duo, a pair of models that will surely solidify Trophy Ridges place in the industry for yet another year.
Best Turkey Decoys 2024 | Top 5 Best Turkey Decoy for The Money
FAQ
How many decoys should you put out for turkey hunting?
A jake and a breeding hen in the Spring Jealousy position is a killer combo anytime there are numbers of mature toms in the area. For my money, I’ll most likely be using two to three decoys at the max. A semi-strut jake and a pair of hens at the very most.
Do cheap turkey decoys work?
Turkeys have surprisingly good eyesight. A turkey can tell a low-quality decoy from a high-quality product. This means that relatively inexpensive decoys are also less effective.
Why won’t turkeys come to my decoys?
If a subordinate gobbler comes in, and he’s already been beat up by a dominant gobbler, there’s a very good chance that he’s won’t come in and get his head bloodied again. Many times, a turkey won’t come to a decoy, because the hunter has made a mistake in where he’s placed the decoy.
Will decoys scare turkeys away?
If you push too close just to set up your decoy, you risk spooking the tom and blowing your hunt. Often when this happens the gobbler won’t bust off the roost, but he might stop gobbling. Or he’ll go silent as soon as he flies down.