Regarding turkey hunting, having the right gear can make all the difference between a successful outing and a frustrating one. Among the essential tools in a turkey hunter’s arsenal are decoys. These lifelike replicas of turkeys serve as powerful attractants, drawing in curious toms and hens and giving you a strategic advantage. With many turkey decoys available on the market today, it can be challenging to determine which ones are the most effective and worth your investment. In this article, we’ll explore the best turkey decoys on the market, considering factors such as realism, durability, and ease of use to help you make an informed decision for your next turkey hunting adventure.
The first step to successfully hunting uncooperative gobblers is to become confident in your turkey decoys choice and set up. It is easier to be patient, and you will hunt longer if you know mature gobblers are on your property. The best way to find out for sure if the birds are there is to set out game cameras. It seems that just about everyone these days is using a trail camera or two to scope out their deer herd, but I rarely hear of anyone using them to scout turkey activity. However, I have found that turkeys can be more predictable and easier to pattern than deer, and you will find historic strut zones for optimal turkey decoy placement on stubborn toms.
Our list of the Best Turkey Decoys of 2025, click the orange to see why it was chosen and click the green to shop.
The Avian X set is well-suited for the average hunter who doesn’t plan to run a marathon with a turkey decoy in his vest.
For all the folks who have had issues with the decoys leaking, there are exponentially more who have been happy with their durability.
It would be hard to find turkey decoys any better looking than these, especially for the price.
Weaknesses:
In some instances (10% of the time), turkeys feared the decoys and wouldn’t come in close when using the aggressive head.
The Avian-X® LCD HDR Jake and Hen Turkey Decoy Combo is designed to stir the blood of dominant toms nearby with its heavy-duty realism. These turkey decoys are made from durable blow-molded materials based on hand-carved designs, offering unbeatable detail and longevity to deceive even the most wary of gobblers. By combining lifelike feather detail and painting with flocking in strategic areas, both the HDR Jake and HDR Hen deliver a natural look that will leave big toms eager to assert their dominance. The barely undersized HDR Jake features a quarter-strut posture and subdominant feathers, and both turkey decoys come with two interchangeable heads. Jake has a curled, aggressive head and a straight and submissive head, while the HDR Hen has a lowered resting head and a raised active head. The rubber-molded leg stumps and carbon mounting stake (which is stored in the tail) provide a quick setup and realistic movement without any unnatural spinning. Additionally, a carry bag is included for easy transportation.
Flocking and detailed paint job add a great sense of realism.
Looks lifelike.
Zero Gravity Motion System allows motion in little wind.
Stake system is storable in the decoy and the T-handle aids in inserting and removing the decoy.
Includes Mossy Oak Bottomland decoy bag.
The Live Breeder hen has innovative positioning that adds realism.
Weakness
Innovative stake is great unless it is accidentally lost
Final Approach’s new turkey decoy line crosses off many check marks with its new decoy line.
While turkey hunters scrutinize turkey decoys, particularly a nominee for best new turkey decoy, up close, they need to remember that a turkey’s first vision of a decoy is usually from a distance. In the waterfowl decoy world, flocking has been used to add realism to a spread so it’s natural it’s gaining a foothold in the turkey decoy world and to come from a waterfowl decoy company. It adds realism when seen from a distance.
Final Approach enlisted six-time world decoy carving champion Tom Christie to create its first turkey decoy. Christie’s paint job on the decoys is lifelike, and the feather detail moulded into the EVA material matches well.
The line includes a breeder hen and jake, known as the Live Jake and Live Breeder. This refers not only to the detailed feathering paint and moulding, but also the Zero Gravity Motion System. This innovative stake is one of the reasons the Final Approach turkey decoy receives the best new turkey decoy of 2024. The stake is topped with a plastic T-handle that assists in inserting and wrestling the stake out of hard ground. It goes further, though, as the T-handle nests in a groove in the inside of the decoy that allows it to swivel easy in the smallest breeze. However, it limits the swinging motion with an internal stopper in the decoy cavity. Then, the stake stores in the back of the decoy.
It’s sleek and self-contained, having no visible motor outside the decoy body.
Flocked back for realism on both the Jake and Tom.
Magnetic lock ring to hold the tail in place
Iridescent feathering.
Lighter weight than some competitors
Weakness:
Pricepoint, this is not cheap
After introducing a new line of turkey decoys last year, Higdon Outdoors upped the ante on turkey motion decoys with its new TruMotion Decoys.
Higdon Outdoors started as a motion decoy company in the 1990s and evolved into offering a full line of waterfowl decoys. It introduced a second-to-none turkey motion decoy system.
Motion decoys are meant to add movement on windless days. Since a large percentage of turkey hunting takes place early in the morning when winds are calmer, turkey motion decoys are an accessory that makes sense.
One of the downfalls of previous turkey decoy systems has been that movement was limited to a turning motion. This was either accomplished by the decoy swivelling in the wind or with a motor. TruMotion takes this one step further to provide the best new turkey motion decoy.
Higdon’s new TruMotion system moves the decoy both in an up and down motion and a turning motion, providing a more natural look to turkey decoy motion. The TruBreeder jake moves up and down slightly, as a jake would, but also swivels. The TruFeeder hen pivots horizontally towards the ground as if feeding. It will also turn side to side. The TruStrutter tom turns side to side only.
Can be three hens in one by simply changing the stake.
High detail in the decoy body
Realistic painting
Reasonable price
Weaknesses:
None
The Mojo Feeder/Breeder Hen ability to be three hens in one is so simple it’s brilliant. By using one stake and having multiple holes in the decoy body, it allows the decoy to be used as either a feeder or upright hen by simply moving the stake to change the angle the hen is displayed. It can be used as a breeder by removing the stake and allowing it to sit directly on the ground. A triangular stakeholder in the body allows the two different positions. Renowned turkey caller Preston Pittman designed the decoy.
Bass Pro Shops update of its turkey motion decoy system, which was one of the earlier motorized systems on the market, is the Redhead Reality Series Remote Crazy Jake and Mating Hen Turkey Decoy Combo.
The original Remote Turkey Decoy Stake, which I use, added motion to decoys on windless days. Its big fallback was the square black box was cumbersome, a little heavy, and did stand out. The Remote Turkey Decoy Stake Gen-2, which is at the heart of the motion in the Redhead Reality Series Remote Crazy Jake and Mating Hen Turkey Decoy Combo, is smaller and more streamlined. It’s also available to purchase separately at $49.99.
As a turkey motion decoy, the Redhead Reality Series Remote Crazy Jake and Mating Hen Turkey Decoy Combo has a 3/4 -strut jake, which is meant to be the motion turkey decoy. The mating hen is collapsible.
Strengths
Provides a turkey motion decoy pair at a reasonable price
The Remote Strut Turkey Decoy Stake Gen-2 is available separately for your own jake or strutting tom
Comes with a bag to hold both decoys
Comes with a remote control.
The breeding hen decoy is collapsible.
The fabric fan that comes with it is interchangeable with a real fan.
Weaknesses:
The realism isn’t as great as many decoys on the market today
The HD Collapsible Jake/Hen Turkey Decoy Combo from Lucky Duck in front of them. The pose of this semi-strut Jake will get any mature tom fired up. Allows you to set it up as an upright hen or partially collapsed for a breeding hen position. The lightweight pair offers exceptional detail and durability when molded in EVA plastic construction. Both decoys collapse easily to fit in your vest when it’s time to move, and then deploy easily at the next spot. Includes 2 two-piece folding metal stakes.
Realistic jake and hen turkey decoy combo from Lucky Duck
Its lightweight and portability do lead to some less realistic features.
The ultimate portable decoy, the Montana Decoy Miss Purr-Fect can be packed down to the size of a baseball cap and spring into a full-bodied 3-D hen decoy in seconds. Detailed feathering built from an HD photo of actual feather cuts fools even the wariest of toms. In addition, the molded head and multiple leg-pole sleeves allow you to adjust the pose to fit the situation. Easy to carry and set up.
Packs down to the size of a baseball cap
3-D soft-side body with ultrarealistic feathering
Adjustable head and multiple leg-pole sleeves add realism
The most realistic, yet portable decoy, the Montana Decoy Wiley Tom 3D can be packed and unpacked quickly. Fully 3D, lightweight, and yet fully collapsible; not bulky. You can easily add your own real turkey tail and wing feathers for additional texture and detail. Life-like taxidermy eyes. Easy to carry and set up.
Most realistic, durable, and transportable for the price
Weakness:
Takes time to get the shape right.
Fool even the wisest Toms in the woods with the H.S. Strut Strut-Lite Hen and Jake Turkey Decoy Combo from Hunter’s Specialties. This durable decoy combo features foldable hollow bodies that carry to your favorite gobbler hunting spots quickly and easily. Flake-resistant paint creates an extremely realistic look. The hen features a receptive upright position that will grab nearby toms’ attention, while the Jake’s semi-aggressive posture will infuriate dominant toms and bring them running. Use the decoys apart, or together in a breeding setup. Comes with 2-piece ground stakes that help you set up quickly when needed.
Foldable hollow bodied decoys are easy to carry.
Long-lasting, flake-resistant paint for true-to-life look
Hen decoy – receptive upright position
Jake decoy – arrogant, semi-aggressive posture
Set up decoys by themselves or together in a breeding pose.
It doesn’t allow for an actual tail feather; it is slightly undersized.
The Flextone Thunder Creeper Turkey Decoy offers the gobbler-attracting realism of a full-body decoy in a front-profile, easy-to-pack design. Its blow-molded, one-piece construction features true-to-life painted feathers and the lifelike posture of a smaller-than-average strutting gobbler to challenge without intimidating. The tail is removed for easy transport, and it includes a carbon-fiber stake.
Front-profile, easy-to-pack design
Blow-molded, one-piece construction
True-to-life painted feathers and lifelike posture
Removable tail for easy transport
In conclusion, when it comes to selecting the best turkey decoy for your hunting adventures, many options are available on the market to suit various preferences and hunting styles. Whether you prefer the realism of full-body decoys, the versatility of collapsible models, or the convenience of inflatable decoys, it’s essential to consider factors like durability, ease of setup, and the level of realism they offer. The top turkey decoys mentioned in this article have been carefully selected based on their performance, user feedback, and overall value. Ultimately, the right turkey decoy for you will depend on your specific needs and hunting conditions, but with the options presented here, you’re sure to find a reliable and effective decoy to enhance your turkey hunting success. Continue gearing up for turkey season and read more on the best turkey hunting boots, the best turkey calls, and the best turkey vests.
Tips & Tactics For Setting Up Turkey Decoys
Once you’ve selected the best turkey decoys for you, you need to set them up strategically. Here, I will outline the 4 phases of setting up turkey decoys and what to look for.
Phase 1: Scouting for Decoy Placement While Toms Establish Dominance
The season’s first phase is all about learning who the king of the spring is. This is one of the few times I use a full strut tom decoy throughout the season. The reason for this is because Tom turkeys establish the pecking order by violently sparring with each other, and the boss Tom in the area will for sure move in for a fight. This happens at the start of the season as the days get longer and only lasts a few weeks in most areas. Scouting is vital this time of year to know where the toms are and if things are heating up. If possible, roost the birds the evening before and observe how the toms act. If they start strutting around each other and square off for a fight, grab your tom decoy and be ready for a good hunt. After the pecking order has been established, most toms will shy away from a full strut tom, especially if he has been on the losing end of a few fights. During those first few weeks of the season, calling will be very effective as toms are looking for the first hens to breed. Use light yelps and clucks followed by some louder clucks when calling.
A big Tom stares down your Full Strut Tom Decoy that is guarding a hen decoy
Decoy placement for this phase is simple. I will place a full strut tom about 10 to 15 yards from where I set up and face him toward the direction I anticipate other toms coming from. I like to place 1 to 4 hens out there with him. You can also use a jake decoy if a full strut tom is unavailable. When a tom enters this decoy setup, he will be looking for a fight. Once he locates your decoys, he will come in fast, almost running. Once you spot him, get your gun or bow up and be ready. If you can, take a shot prior to him attacking your decoy. I feel that is best. I know it’s fun to watch them attack a decoy, but you could risk spooking him, and he could also damage your decoy.
Phase 2: Capitalizing on Toms Seeking Hens
The second phase of the season is all about the hens. After establishing the pecking order, toms and jakes will frantically seek out hens. This is the time of the season where you will spot a tom gobbling out in the middle of an open field, going in and out of full strut, desperately trying to locate a hen. He is doing this to get the attention of any hens nearby and let them know he is ready to breed. You will spot toms at all hours of the day during this phase. There are two different decoy tactics I like to use during this phase.
During the desperately searching phase you will often find toms alone out in the middle of open areas in full strut all hours of the day. They are doing this to locate any hen close by to breed. Use this to your advantage when hunting this part of the season
The first is a lone hen decoy like the Avian-X HDR Hen decoy out in the open where she can be seen from a distance. This decoy has 2 different heads allowing you to have an aggressive or more passive setup. I like to use this tactic in an area I know there are turkeys, but I have none roosted from the evening before. This tactic is also great if you can’t access multiple decoys.
When toms are trying to establish who the king of the spring is they will be sure to move in on any tom especially if he is with a hen. I like to use this decoy setup the first few weeks of season.
The other tactic I like to employ during this part of the season is a small flock of hens in multiple positions. I will use a mix of feeding hens, look out hens, and relaxed hens. I might even throw a Jake in the mix if I know a Tom is close. The more turkey decoys, the more visual appeal. For both tactics, place your decoys facing you about 25 yards out. The reason is that the toms will approach the hens head-on, which gives you plenty of room for an easy shot.
Phase 3: Placement During Breeding Time
The third phase of the spring takes place when most of the hens are ready to be bred, and most toms will be locked down on a certain hen or group of hens. This phase ebbs and flows with the searching phase. Once a tom is locked down, he can be almost impossible to harvest. The reason for this is that he already has a hen ready to breed, so a hen decoy doesn’t have the same appeal as during the searching phase. And a tom decoy just means competition and more than likely a fight. During this part of the season, I have one decoy strategy that will work most of the time.
I like to use Avian-X decoys because I feel they are the most realistic decoys available on the market.
I like to use of a jake decoy standing over a single hen. I like to place a hen in a laying down position like the Avian-X LCD Laydown Hen with a jake right behind her, I place them about 15 yards in front of me. Any hen decoy will work, but a hen laying down is the breeding position. If a tom sees this, he will certainly be in to investigate. The last thing he wants is a jake breeding a hen before him. I like to face them away from me so that when Tom comes in, he is focused on them. Keep in mind that he may hang up and strut about 20 yards out trying to get the hen’s attention. My go-to Jake decoy is the Avian-X HDR Jake Decoy, it comes with an aggressive head, which I use for this set up, and a more submissive head, which I will use later in the season.
Phase 4: Finding the Last Breeding Hens
This is the last phase of the season. Like I mentioned earlier, searching and locked down ebbs and flows. I listed this as the last phase because as the breeding season ends, toms get desperate to find the last breeding hens. Most of the tactics in the searching and locked down phases will continue to work, but there is another tactic I like to use more than any other during this time. This tactic is geared towards the boss tom in your area and can be highly effective. The best way to locate the dominant toms in your area is scouting. When scouting, look for the tom that is in full strut no matter what other birds are around. He will often be the one to run any other Jake or Tom off, especially if there is a hen close by.
This tactic involves using a full strut decoy like the Avian-X HDR Strutter over a lay down hen. I will only do this if I know one of the most mature toms in the area is close by. Any mature tom will come into this decoy set up; most all other toms will shy away from it. If he’s not afraid of a fight and he’s not locked down with a hen, he will fight as hard as he can to breed the last of the hens. As he comes into your decoy spread, he will start strut, trying to draw in the hen, giving you a perfect shot. Once he relaxes, take the shot.
Decoy placement is crucial especially when hunting from the ground. Knowing what way the birds will approach your decoys will give you the advantage as a tom comes into investigate.
Buying the right decoys is as important as knowing how to use them. When shopping for decoys, there are a few things to remember. First, buy the most realistic looking decoys you can afford. Remember that turkeys have great vision. Second, decoys can be expensive so if you can only afford one, buy a quality hen decoy that can be used in every phase of the season. Lastly, take care of your decoys. Make sure you store them properly and clean them up after each hunt. I feel that Avian-X makes some of the most realistic decoys on the market and they are built to last. I know they come with a higher price tag but once you place them next to some of the other decoys on the market, you will know why. With the right decoys and a little calling, you should be able to bag a gobbler every year.
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My name is Ryan Fair I live in northwest ohio. I am married with 2 daughters who are my life. I am most passionate about chasing whitetails. If I’m not doing something whitetail related you can usually find me turkey hunting or on a boat somewhere with a rod in my hand. My main focus on writing is hunting whitetail and turkey. I also enjoy writing about gear reviews and fishing articles. In 2013 I helped start whitetail junkys with my good friend Dusty Kroft. We promote all things outdoors. You can find me at www.whitetailjunkys.com, on Facebook at whitetail junkys, or on my writing page droptine hollow outdoors.
