13 Best Turkey Decoys for Hunting Gobblers

As an experienced hunter, I have found that using turkey decoys can greatly enhance my chances of success when hunting longbeards. Decoys are an effective tool for luring in turkeys by mimicking the appearance and behavior of real birds.

When the decoys are strategically placed in the right locations and using the right techniques, you can attract turkeys within range and increase your chances of making a successful shot.

Using decoys will increase your odds of success. Figuring out which decoy or decoys you need can be tricky. We've written a detailed blog on How to Hunt Turkeys Using Decoys and you will find details on how to place your bird, what type of body configurations for decoys are there, and more. 

Shaggy Outdoors "Best of" for Turkey Decoys

When it comes to decoy prices, the construction materials and the attention to detail in colors and design influence how much you will pay. At Shaggy Outdoors we only choose the best options for our hunting trips. By knowing our hunting conditions, we know in advance if we are carrying our Dave Smith Decoy with A.C.E. (Advanced Crosslink Elastomer technology) bodied decoys out to our ground blind or if we will be using our Montana Turkey Decoys that are lightweight and compact to keep one or a whole flock in my vest.  

We know that not all hunters have the ability to purchase the top of line decoys. We know the quality of the Avian-X and DSD brands, but when you're set up in a ground blind or running-and-gunning you may need to review a few choices before you buy.

For those turkey-hunting fanatics looking for more information. Check out our Ultimate Gear Guide for Turkey Hunters. We cover all things turkey hunting for the beginner to the advanced hunter.  

Below are our top choices based on the price points of a single decoy purchase. 

5 Key Reasons why using Decoys can be Effective for Hunting

1. Attracting Turkeys: Turkey decoys are designed to look like real birds, and can effectively lure turkeys into your hunting area. By placing the decoys in the right spot and using the right techniques, you can make it look like there are real birds in the area, which will increase your chances of attracting a turkey within range.
2. Decoy Distractions: When you use turkey decoys, it can distract the turkeys from your actual location. This can give you an advantage by making it easier to get into position for a good shot.
3. Aggression Trigger: Turkeys are social birds and can be aggressive towards other birds that they perceive as intruders. By using a decoy, you can trigger this aggression response, which can make the turkey more likely to come within range.
4. Confidence Builder: Decoys can help build confidence in your turkey hunting skills. By using decoys to attract turkeys, you can increase your chances of a successful hunt, which can help build confidence and motivation for future hunts.
5. Educational: Using turkey decoys can be an educational experience. By watching the behavior of the turkeys as they interact with the decoys, you can gain a better understanding of turkey behavior, which can help you become a more skilled hunter in the future.

Top 13 Turkey Decoys Every Hunter Needs

The decoys we've provided are considered to be some of the best on the market. Design, attention to detail, colors, and quality of materials make up for the different price points for the decoys. Just like each hunter needs their turkey calls, every hunter should have one or more decoys ready to deploy to improve their success. 

We know that not every decoy on the market is the same. Construction materials can vary between flexible plastic, rubber, fabric, or solid hard material. When you take a shot with your turkey load #4, #5, or #6 shot and you accidentally tag your own decoy, the materials of the decoy will determine the life of your decoy.  With the wrong material, you could ruin your decoy. 

The A.C.E. Technology being used by Dave Smith Decoys allows for a few shot pellets to hit but not destroy the decoy. The decoys maintain their shape in all temperatures and the soft self-healing material allows you to use the decoys for years.

I've seen firsthand what a cheaper hard plastic decoy looks like after a hunter takes a shot at a gobbler. The cheap options can be a one-and-done if you happen to hike the decoy instead of the turkey. Our intent is to inform and educate you about your option as we give some details on the structure and materials of the decoys.

Our 13 decoys, noted below, are 2D or 3D body styles. If you are looking for a stalking or a reaping-style decoy we have provided 5 options after this section. See below for more information.

Having a decoy during your hunt can impact and produce a successful hunt. Having the right decoy will determine how many occasions and years you get to use your decoy and how well turkeys respond to the lifelike nature of the decoy.

6 Perfect Decoys for Reaping or Stalking Your Gobbler

If you are stalking your turkey then we have a few Reaping-style turkey decoys to show you. Reaping is an exciting method of hunting. But, hunters need to be careful hunting this method.

There are more tragedies hunting turkey using a reaping hunting style than any other. That is why many states have outlawed the stalking and reaping style of hunting turkey. 

When you add great calling to your reaping style of hunting, you are apt to bring in more than a dominant tom. When hunting public lands this style of hunting should not be used. Even in certain private land hunting camps, you should be careful with this style of hunting. 

Since many hunters still hunt in this style, we are providing our opinion as to the best 5 Reaping decoys for your turkey hunt. 

How to Use Your Decoy When Turkey Hunting

Once you have your decoys it's time to start working on the setup. Decoys can be used with run-and-gun style hunting, early morning locator calling, and ground blind hunting.

Run-and-Gun Hunting with a Turkey Decoy

You can use decoys if you're run-and-gunning by having a portable decoy or multiple turkey decoys in your vest. When you have found your birds using locator call techniques it's time to set up for some action. 

Determine the direction the birds are expected to come from and figure out where you will sit. Now, place the decoys in plain sight so oncoming gobblers can see them. Typically, you'd want the decoys between 15-20 yards of your location if you're hunting with a shotgun or 10-15 yards if you have a bow.

While you're using your slate call or mouth call, keep still to ensure the wiley birds don't see you. Let them get close enough for the shot and take them down. 

Two good choices of turkey decoys for the run-and-gun style are the Lookout Hen and 1/4 Strut Jake. Depending on the brand you could use these decoys in different scenarios. The Montana Decoy Co has a very portable pair that you can pack away and pull out of your vest at a moment's notice. The Perfect Pair XD Combo head and neck are made to pose in several different positions giving you a couple of possible pose choices.

Ground Blind Hunting with a Turkey Decoy

The setup for your decoys is from 15-20 yards from your ground blind if you are using a Remington or 10-15 yards for those archery hunters. 

You want the birds to get as close as possible to get the best shot. Set up your blind in a position that you won't spook oncoming turkey. 

You could place your decoys in a feeding pose or travel pose with multiple decoys or a flock of birds. 

When trying to attract a large gobbler using a decoy, remember don't put out a full gobbler strutter in the late season. There would be a possibility that your bird is tired of fighting and will be less likely to come into a full strut gobbler. 

How to Incorporate Turkey Calling with Turkey Decoys

The excitement of the turkey hunt comes when you hear birds in the distance talking. The real excitement starts when you are calling and talking to those birds. 

There are several types of calls from friction box calls to pot calls, locator calls, and mouth calls. If you're not sure where to start with using turkey calls we have a blog on the "Top Turkey Calls Every Hunter Should Own and Master Before Hunting Season Starts". 

Calling is the most important part of turkey hunting. Without calling you don't know if there are birds in your area and you have no way to attract birds from 100 yards to over 1/2 mile away. You must use calling before any other strategy or technique.

Once you have the bird's attention, the placement of your decoys is vital to pull in a longbeard for a shot. Using a breeding pair or feeding a flock may be all you need. Late spring season, after the initial breeding season, you could try a single lone hen that could still be ready to breed and in the fall you may want to work on your kee kees to imitate a flock that has broken up. 

Either way, add a few decoys to your calling and you will give that gobbler a visual of who is calling and it could pull him in fast. 

Final Thoughts on Hunting Turkey Using a Turkey Decoy

I've had success hunting turkeys with and without a decoy. I have never directed any of my fellow hunters to purchase decoys because they are necessary. I have had more fun over the years when I included decoys in my hunt. 

The reactions and actions between my decoys and those hens and toms are interesting and fun to watch. When hunting with my sons and young kids, having the decoys out always kept their attention when calling was slow. 

Decoys are an amazing addition to your turkey tool chest.

While I believe using turkey decoys can greatly increase your chances of success when turkey hunting. Adding calling and having birds mimic the appearance and behavior of real birds, decoys can attract turkeys into your hunting area, distract them from your actual location, trigger aggression responses, build confidence, and provide an educational experience.

Whether you choose to use a single decoy or a flock of turkey decoys, incorporating this tool into your turkey hunting strategy can not only improve your chances of a successful hunt but also make the experience more enjoyable and rewarding.

So why not give it a try and see for yourself the benefits that turkey decoys can offer in your next turkey hunting expedition?