The Best Turkey Decoys of 2025, Tested and Reviewed
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Turkey hunting has commanded our springtime calendars for the past two decades. We’ve chased gobblers throughout the United States and Mexico, hunting an average of 50 days across a half-dozen states each spring, while stacking up a World Slam and multiple Grand Slams. As we prepare for every hunt, we carefully scrutinize every gear item, especially the best turkey decoys.
- Best Hen: Avian X HDR Hen
- Best Budget Hen: Flextone Thunder Chick
- Best Jake: Dave Smith Decoys ¾ Strut Jake
- Best Strutter: Dave Smith Decoys Strutter
- Best Lightweight: Montana Decoy Wiley Tom 3D and Miss Purrfect XD
- Best Reaping Decoy: Mojo Scoot N Shoot Max
- Best Combo: Avian-X HDR Strutter and Feeding Hen
- Best Affordable Combo: Primos Lil’ Gobstopper Hen and Jake
Decoys are almost always part of our turkey hunting arsenal, and we only rely on the most realistic ones when I’m trying to fill a tag in a new state. Here’s a look at the best turkey decoys for some of the most common hunting scenarios you’ll face no matter where or how you’re chasing turkeys.
Turkey Decoys and Hunter Safety
The best turkey decoys are incredibly realistic, which means that it’s possible for hunters to mistake a decoy for the real thing. You need to be ultra careful when using tom or jake decoys on public lands or even private ground where other hunters are present. When you’re transporting decoys, make sure that heads, fans, and beards are tucked into a bag with a strip of orange tape on the outside. Never use a reaping decoy on public land or on private land where other hunters might be present. Also, avoid using a reaping decoy or strutting tom decoy in heavy cover. If there’s any question about safety, simply leave the decoys in the truck.
The Best Turkey Decoys: Reviews & Recommendations
Best Hen Decoy: Avian X HDR Hen
Photo by Alex Robinson
Pros
- Ultra-realistic
- Minimal glare
- Multiple head positions (upright version)
- Accurate size and body posture
Cons
- Spendy
Key Features
- Non-chip paint
- Flocking on back
- Light and durable
- Includes two head positions (in the upright position)
- Includes decoy bag
When to Use
- When hunting open hardwoods
- If you only want to carry one decoy
- In combination with a jake or tom decoy
The HDR Hen is the most realistic and useful hen decoy we’ve ever hunted with. If you’re going to set just one decoy, use this one.
This blow-molded hen decoy looks realistic in every aspect: feather detail, body position, size, hell, even the legs look real. The decoy comes in feeding and upright body positions. The upright hen has two interchangeable head positions. One is a high-stretched head, which indicates a dominant hen. The other is a lower head position to indicate a submissive, breeder bird.
You’ll notice that the decoy is flocked on the back, an excellent touch that not many other turkey decoys offer. This decoy is a great choice for hunters who mostly call in open hardwoods. In that scenario it’s often best to have one highly-visible and realistic hen decoy. The Avian-X HDR Hen fits the bill perfectly.
The other top hen decoy on the market is the DSD hen, but I like the Avian-X hen a little better because, to me, it appears to create slightly less glare in direct sunlight. However, both are ultra-realistic options. —Alex Robinson
Best Budget Hen: Flextone Thunder Chick
Photo by Alex Robinson
Pros
- Affordable
- Stake is attached
- Realistic for the price
Cons
- No legs
- No decoy bag
Key Features
- Two body position options
- Light and durable
- Price: $50
When to Use
- Great entry-level decoy
- Good for building a spread of multiple hens
Most budget-priced turkey decoys do not look very good. Their molds and body positions are unnatural, and the paint schemes are a little off. But Flextone’s Thunder Chick is a happy exception. For about $50 you can have a realistic, durable decoy that will last you many seasons of hard hunting. The Thunder Chick comes in two body position options: upright and feeding. The stake is attached to the deke with a piece of elastic so that you can’t lose it. I’ve hunted with the feeding version of this decoy for a while now and rely on it when I decide to run multiple hens. It blends in surprisingly well with a flock of Avian-X and DSD decoys. —Alex Robinson
Best Jake: Dave Smith Decoys ¾ Strut Jake
Photo by Alex Robinson
Pros
- Incredibly realistic
- Not too big for running and gunning
- Smaller size doesn’t intimidate gobblers
- Made in America
Cons
- Expensive
Key Features
- Includes Carry Bag & Stake
- Metal stake
- Flocking on the back
When to Use
- When you’re trying to challenge toms
- Great for pairing with a couple hen dekes
- When running and gunning with decoys
DSD introduced this decoy in 2009, and it’s still the baddest jake deke on the market. The first thing you’ll notice about this decoy is its perfect body posture design. It looks like a jake that wants to go into strut but isn’t quite dominant enough to do so. Also the decoy is slightly smaller than a full-sized jake, making it less intimidating and more packable. In other words, he’s a turkey that any tom could whoop. The paint job, especially around the head, is a work of art. There’s flocking on the back to add realism. In the sunshine this decoy lights up nicely, but there’s no harsh glare.
The new version includes optional fold-away legs, which add extra realism. I like that it comes with a metal stake which will help you secure this deke into even the hardest ground. Yes, this decoy is more expensive than a lot of others on the market, but it looks incredible and it’s made in America. It’s a decoy you’ll be proud to hunt over. —Alex Robinson
Best Strutter: Dave Smith Decoys Strutter
Photo by Alex Robinson
Pros
- Large profile really stands out
- Incredibly detailed
- Produces iridescent shine, but not glare
- Made in America
Cons
- Requires real fan and beard
- Too big and heavy for run and gun hunting
Key Features
- Flocking on the back
- Two head color options
- Wings are cast to the body
- Comes with carry bag and stake
When to Use
- When you’re trying to challenge a flocked-up boss tom
- Hunting private land
- When you’re planning to sit for a long time
This is the most realistic turkey decoy that I’ve ever seen. It perfectly fits the profile of a dominant strutting tom, and it could be the key tool for convincing a live boss tom to strut his way into range.
This strutter decoy isn’t ideal for every hunting scenario. It’s large and bulky, so you won’t be running and gunning with it. Also, you should not hunt with this decoy (or any tom decoy) on public lands. But if you’re hunting a dominant gobbler in a private field, this is the deke you want.
One caveat is that it requires a real fan and a beard. The fan screws into the back with a simple washer and nut. You’ll have to do some experimenting to make sure that your fan will stay spread out in the wind. Plus, using the real fan requires a little more setup time and care when transporting.
But the payoff is an ultra-realistic strutter. I think the beard is optional. Compared to the other top strutter decoy on the market, the Avian X HDR, I like the DSD coloration better. The Avian X decoy is great, but to my eye it appears a little too golden in the sunshine. On the other hand, the Avian X does come with a collapsible artificial fan. Overall, it’s more packable and easier to transport. It also has interchangeable head color options. —Alex Robinson
Best Lightweight: Montana Decoy Wiley Tom 3D & Miss Purrfect XD
The lightweight Wiley Tom 3D and Miss Purrfect XD turkey decoys are the best overall for any style of turkey hunting.
Pros
- Lightweight,minimal bulk
- Easy to shove into turkey vest
- Stake system prevents spinning in wind
- Quick deploy
- Miss Purrfect XD: multiple stake positions for different body postures
Cons
- Not waterproof
- Stitching on tom head can be fragile
Key Features
- Less than five pounds combined weight
- Three dimensional
- Easily folds for storage
-
Hen:
adjustable head; “feather cuts” for realistic texture -
Tom:
option to add real feathers to tail and wings
When to Use
- When running and gunning
- When reaping (with the tom decoy)
I used hard-bodied turkey decoys for years, and while they have benefits, the extra weight and bulk is an unnecessary burden for the majority of my turkey pursuits. I’m also not entirely sold on 2D (flat) turkey decoys for traditional stationary setups, so I was eager to try Montana’s new line of packable 3D turkey decoys.
I used the Miss Purrfect XD, Jake Purrfect XD, and the original Wiley Tom during 2021 — my most successful turkey season ever. The Wiley Tom 3D is an upgrade from the original Wiley Tom. It has more realistic dimensions that pack down nicely for running and gunning, yet it works just as well for reaping or stationary setups. I tested the prototype during a fall turkey hunt and killed a gobbler the first morning.
Stuff the Wiley Tom 3D and the Miss Purrfect XD hen turkey decoys in your vest and you’ll be covered for nearly every turkey hunting scenario. And if you want to run a jake imposter instead of a tom, just use the second (higher) row of tail feather holders on the Wiley Tom 3D to mimic the pronounced center primary feathers of a jake fan. —Josh Dahlke
Best Reaping Decoy: Mojo Scoot N Shoot Max
Photo by Alex Robinson
Pros
- Large profile hides hunters
- Easily customizable
Cons
- Relatively heavy
Key Features
- Removable wings
- See-through mesh window in the fan
- Optional stake
- Removable blaze orange on wings
- Compatible with real fan
When to Use
- When reaping turkeys on private land
- When reaping with two hunters
- Private land only
Reaping turkeys is a controversial tactic. But it can be successful and honestly, it’s pretty fun. If you’re going to reap turkeys make sure to only do it on private land and use a quality decoy like the Scoot N Shoot Max.
With the Max, Mojo has upgraded its original Scoot N Shoot decoy with optional wings that really help to hide a hunter behind the decoy. I also like the mesh window in the fan. This allows the hunter to keep an eye on the target tom while remaining hidden.
But this decoy will be most effective with a real fan. It comes with a mount that allows you to attach one. Simply cut one feather from the fan for your viewing window and start crawling. The stake allows you to stick the decoy in the ground when it’s time to shoot. It also comes with blaze orange strips that button into the wings. I think this is a nice safety consideration, but realistically, you should not be trying to reap turkeys in an area where other hunters can see you. Use this decoy only when you are sure there are no other hunters present. —Alex Robinson
Best Combo: Avian-X HDR Strutter and Feeding Hen
The Avian-X HDR Strutter and Feeding Hen turkey decoys deliver astounding iridescent realism and detail up close and from a distance.
Pros
- Super realistic
- Adjustable parts for various scenarios
- Built for years of heavy use
Cons
- Moderately bulky
- Expensive
Key Features
- Vivid paint jobs and flocking
- Durable shells
- Realistic legs
-
Strutter:
modular design (two head options; add/remove wings; adjustable beard length); metal stake -
Hen:
integrated stake for easy storage - Decoy bags included
When to Use
- Hunting fields
- Targeting dominant toms
When Fred Zink’s crew introduced Avian-X decoys around 2010, the new LCD (Lifelike Collapsible Decoy) design, featuring inflatable rubber bodies, was all the rage. I’ve watched dozens of gobblers crumble over Avian-X decoys. In recent years, the brand transitioned from rubber bodies to the more common plastic shells that you’ll find with most premium turkey decoys. But one factor has always remained constant with Avian-X turkey decoys: realism. The inflatable dekes were great because they could be broken down to a manageable size for travel, and I even once conveniently packed an Avian jake for a Gould’s hunt in Mexico. While the new HDR (Heavy-Duty Realism) plastic versions aren’t quite as mobile, I’ve tagged many gobblers over them thanks to their hyper-realistic looks.
The HDR Strutter decoy features a modular design. You can swap between red/white/blue (subordinate tom) and solid white (dominant tom) heads, and the adjustable synthetic tail fan and beard allow you to transform the decoy from tom to jake. The tail fan and wings are removable, so you can add real feathers at your leisure.
The HDR Feeding Hen has a content body posture that could lure in lovesick gobblers or simply attract other hens to start a turkey party (the boys will eventually come knocking).
Or you can pair the two decoys to test the ego of a dominant tom and trick him into your setup.
Best Affordable Combo: Primos Lil’ Gobbstopper Hen and Jake
Smaller, less intimidating decoys.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Packable for mobile or stationary hunts
- Low cost
Cons
- Plastic stakes
- Not as realistic as top-end dekes
Key Features
- Extra small profiles
- High-quality paint schemes
When to Use
- Great starter decoys
- When targeting sub-dominant turkeys
At less than $60 the Lil’ Gobbstopper Hen and Jake combo from Primos adds a lot of value in a small package.
With smaller profiles, the jake is less intimidating to skittish gobblers, and the hen is easier to carry than full-sized decoys. Deploy these decoys together to simulate a mating pair, or run them separately, depending on the reactions of your late-season targets. Consider beefing up the plastic stake with a metal replacement so you won’t have to worry about penetrating harder ground.
How to Choose a Turkey Decoy
Selecting a turkey decoy depends on your hunting tactics and preference, but it doesn’t have to be difficult. Identify your budget first, and then figure out your most common hunting style. Choose the most realistic turkey decoy(s) that you can afford, and make sure it accommodates your most likely hunting setups. Remember, with some creativity, nearly every turkey decoy can be used effectively for a variety of scenarios, and sometimes you’re better off going with no decoy at all.
Read Next: Best Turkey Mouth Calls of 2022
FAQs
Your decoy setups or how many decoys you put out is largely dictated by seasonality (early vs. late season), hunting pressure, weather, and the dynamics of local flocks. As a general rule of thumb, you’re better off using more turkey decoys early in the season, while less is often more in the late season.
Decoys aren’t necessary for turkey hunting. Many turkey hunters prefer calling without decoys because it forces gobblers to search for the source of calling. Oftentimes, gobblers will u0022hang upu0022 outside of shooting range because in nature the hens typically go to them. This is where decoys can be useful. If turkeys see a decoy, they might be more convinced to come into a setup rather than spooking when they don’t see a hen at the source of calling.
Turkeys can become decoy shy if they’re living in areas with a lot of hunting pressure. Avoid using them on heavily hunted tracts of private or public land, or try less intimidating decoy setups when you’re hunting skittish birds, like decoys with more relaxed or feeding postures.
Final Thoughts on the Best Turkey Decoys
Hunting turkeys over decoys can offer many advantages. Decoys can give turkeys the visual confirmation they need to close the distance on your setup. When a turkey is focused on a decoy, it can allow you more leeway for making critical movements such as raising a gun or drawing a bow. And there’s nothing quite like watching a dominant gobbler march into a well-placed decoy setup for a good ol’-fashioned beatdown. While decoys offer many up-sides, sometimes you’re better off not using them, and forcing tom to come looking for the source of your pleading hen calls.
- Best Hen: Avian X HDR Hen
- Best Budget Hen: Flextone Thunder Chick
- Best Jake: Dave Smith Decoys ¾ Strut Jake
- Best Strutter: Dave Smith Decoys Strutter
- Best Lightweight: Montana Decoy Wiley Tom 3D and Miss Purrfect XD
- Best Reaping Decoy: Mojo Scoot N Shoot Max
- Best Combo: Avian-X HDR Strutter and Feeding Hen
- Best Affordable Combo: Primos Lil’ Gobstopper Hen and Jake
The post The Best Turkey Decoys of 2025, Tested and Reviewed appeared first on Outdoor Life.
Source: https://www.outdoorlife.com/story/gear/best-turkey-decoys/
