I searched on here and seems like DSD decoys are what everybody is recommending. How do you carry them seems like they would be a pain to carry since they dont collapse. How long have you guys had yours? Is the paint and everything on them hold up? If i could only get 2 decoys which ones should i go with? Sorry for all the ??'s but i wanna do my research before i drop that kindve coin on some decoys.
I've had my DSD jake for two seasons. Paint has held up well. My son hit him with some shot while killing a gobbler and you can hardly tell by looking at him. I use him with some less expensive Flextone hens. Have gotten tremendous response from gobblers, they ignore the hens and come straight to that jake more often than not. Yes, he was worth the money in my opinion, but the price of the DSDs is why I only have one DSD!
He is a little heavy. If I am running and gunning, he stays at home and I carry a single Flextone hen. Hope this helps!
I have a Jake & upright hen. Bought them about 5-6 years ago. Outside of a small scuff here or there they look new. The first few times out they can be kind of a pain to carry, but you figure out how & what works for you. I put the hen decoy(in it's bag) in the with jake decoy so I only have to carry one bag. I bought the upright hen so I can use as a regular upright hen or stake it low like in a breeding postion.
Quote from: TonyTurk on March 18, 2020, 10:43:47 PM
I've had my DSD jake for two seasons. Paint has held up well. My son hit him with some shot while killing a gobbler and you can hardly tell by looking at him. I use him with some less expensive Flextone hens. Have gotten tremendous response from gobblers, they ignore the hens and come straight to that jake more often than not. Yes, he was worth the money in my opinion, but the price of the DSDs is why I only have one DSD!
He is a little heavy. If I am running and gunning, he stays at home and I carry a single Flextone hen. Hope this helps!
i was looking at the flextone hens at walmart and they dont look half bad for a 1/3 of the price. didnt see what the flextone jake looked like.
I have a DSD hen, and an Avian X Jake...
No doubt the DSD is more durable. Realism is similar. The Avian Jake is lighter...
I do think the DSD decoys are worth while... Mine will last much longer than I do...
I think that Deception Decoys, and Replica Decoy Company (RCD) make decoys of similar quality and realism... Were I to purchase two decoys, I would get a hen and a jake from DSD, Deception, or RCD...
Deception:
https://deceptiondecoys.com/product-category/decoys/turkeys/
RCD:
https://replicadecoys.com/turkey-decoys
Yes. I have a hen and jake decoy and both have been beat down and/or mated numerous times and still look good.
I have several Deceptions. Caught a couple on a good sale and now am able to split them up with my son or put out a flock...lol. There's a couple of DSD's in the classified, if that interests you. Good luck this season!
Yeah i tried to buy the pair in the classifieds. I guess there really isnt any cheaper place to get them is there they all look like they run about the same price?
I've got 5 DSD hens and a Jake. One of the DSD hens is their original hard body, guess I've had it for 10 years or more now and looks as good as the day I bought it.
I will say besides them being a great decoy, if by some random chance you had an issue their customer service is second to none. I had the lead hen and a little paint was flaking around her beak I sent it back and within 2 day I had a brand new one.
They'll last you a lifetime I wouldn't consider anything else to be honest.
Neal
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They're worth every penny and I see no issue carrying them. I just throw em over my shoulder. The again is good but air filled. It stays blown up so essentially the same except it can't take shot and can leak.
I use the jake and I have 2 hens, I don't use both. One is upright for better visibility the other feeding. When I say more visibility I mean in rolling mountainous areas. I don't use as somewhere to focus on as I can't tell direction. I'm not a field sitter but I fo need the birds to come up to the dekes do I know where they are. If I need the head to stick up more that's what I use.
The cost is far more than the monetary amount, far more.
I have been killing gobblers for 35 years, decoys are not required. The high dollar decoys are meant to catch the hunter, just like red hooks or fishing. Setting and waiting with a flock of decoys to me is not hunting. But that is just me.
When I do use decoys on certain property with fields, I have had success with one Avian Alert Hen, and the Avian Quarter Strut Jake. The gobbler always goes to the Jake. These are bulky to carry around.... be safe.
DSD are fine decoys , little on the expensive side , but you get what you pay for. Lot's of people like both the DSD and Avian X are pretty nice also. Just all depends on your style of hunting and what you want to carry. People have opinions , you don't need decoys or yes i use decoys. Just remember it's opinion , so buy and use what you want , just be safe ........
Quote from: Bobby5 on March 18, 2020, 11:10:57 PM
Quote from: TonyTurk on March 18, 2020, 10:43:47 PM
I've had my DSD jake for two seasons. Paint has held up well. My son hit him with some shot while killing a gobbler and you can hardly tell by looking at him. I use him with some less expensive Flextone hens. Have gotten tremendous response from gobblers, they ignore the hens and come straight to that jake more often than not. Yes, he was worth the money in my opinion, but the price of the DSDs is why I only have one DSD!
He is a little heavy. If I am running and gunning, he stays at home and I carry a single Flextone hen. Hope this helps!
i was looking at the flextone hens at walmart and they dont look half bad for a 1/3 of the price. didnt see what the flextone jake looked like.
If you can wait til near end of season, Walmart may well have those Flextone dekes on clearance for $20. That is what the stores in my area did last year.
IMO yes they are worth the money, however I will say that the new Flextone decoys are absolutely killer for the price point!
DSDs- great quality.Great customer service. Will last a lifetime. Expensive and will need personally decide if it's worth it based on hunting style,time spent afield,monetary funds etc. I don't carry them when I R&G. My two get pounded everyday during the season generally(I borrow them to others) and still look great. This includes
some pretty nasty weather in Wisconsin .
No they're not worth the absurd price they charge for them.
Back when I did use a decoy I used one from Wal Mart that was around $15.00 or $20.00 and it worked just fine.
Quote from: Fullfan on March 19, 2020, 07:56:12 AM
I have been killing gobblers for 35 years, decoys are not required. The high dollar decoys are meant to catch the hunter, just like red hooks or fishing. Setting and waiting with a flock of decoys to me is not hunting. But that is just me.
Couldn't agree more.
I would also add that if the OP is just starting to learn to turkey hunt, learn to hunt turkeys. He will have plenty of time to decide whether decoys are something he wants to fool with.
For those who need or want them, they are worth every penny. But for my personal use I wouldn't give 50 cents a pair for them.
Quote from: guesswho on March 19, 2020, 02:19:21 PM
For those who need or want them, they are worth every penny. But for my personal use I wouldn't give 50 cents a pair for them.
Do i hear dollar , now 2 dollars
If you are going to use decoys you can't do better than DSD's, been hunting with them since 2008. Started with the Upright Hen, added a Feeding Hen the next season and has gone on from there. They are DEADLY, and again not for every hunt but when you're going to use them they're worth the price and toting them around. If I were going for a Run & Gun pair it would be the 3/4 Strut Jake and Upright Hen (she can be used on the stake and off as a breeder) both will fit in the Jake's bag.
Now then comes the strutter, currently I have the Jake Strutter that I "Gobblerized" aka lil' PUFFY and used my White Headed Design on him and been tipping toms. He's not the Run & Gun decoy but he is killer! If you are going to be in a blind and hunt an opening or a field this is where he's for.
I have a thread dedicated to DSD's here http://oldgobbler.com/Forum/index.php/topic,70971.0.html there's a lot of info in there and as always if you have questions on use let me know, there is a lot to "Hunting decoys Right".
MK M GOBL
I am not a decoy fan but here is my opinion. It's a out like comparing a Remington to a Benelli. They both kill the same, one just makes you look cooler.
I don't use decoys much but when I do the interactions between live birds and my dsd hen is unlike any other decoy I've owned. And by that I mean birds will come right up to it and even try to breed it...
Quote from: Happy on March 19, 2020, 06:04:26 PM
I am not a decoy fan but here is my opinion. It's a out like comparing a Remington to a Benelli. They both kill the same, one just makes you look cooler.
I agree with the above statement. However, I kill turkeys with and without decoys. DSD's look great but so do Avians in my opinion and it does not bother me one bit that Avians are not American made. I have four Avians and an assortment of plastics decoys that came from Walmart. One of my plastic decoys came with a fan like tail which I quickly replaced with a real tail and cut down to look like a Jake. That poor bird gets no respect.
I have killed plenty of birds over Walmart or eBay foam decoys. There is always one in my vest and they work fine to get a bird in close enough to shoot. I honestly don't care if they get bred or not.
I beleave one should not overthink the decoy equation. That high dollar extra fancy decoy is no guarantee that you are going to kill that gobbler. Save your bucks and buy a cheap decoy at Walmart polish up your calling and wood craft skills and wait until after season to buy your decoys on sale if that is the route you wish to go. Just my 2 cents.
DSD are great quality decoys!!
Spend your money however you wish!!!
They are turkeys in rut, put a pillow sack out there on a stick they will come. I have some 15 year old, foam folding decoys. Ugly as sin. But they have worked when needed. Dont hardly carry them anymore.
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DSD is 100 percent worth the money! My Jake has been around for 8 seasons or so, has been beat on by countless gobblers and barely shows signs of wear.
I guide and hunt personally so I spend more days in the field than most, the realistic decoys make a huge difference, will cheap ones work, sure but not as good!
I used stuffer decoys prior to dsd and before that cheap foam ones, when I had cheap ones I rarely used them simply because they didn't work more often than not!
You will get enough use from the DSD to justify the price and then some!
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You would think if turkeys cared about ultra realistic details then the fact that all decoys have one leg and very anatomically incorrect legs at that would be a huge red flag.
I'll preface my reply a little bit,killed my first Turkey in the mid 70's,there was no such thing as a turkey decoy back then that I know of.
Last Spring I killed 3 birds all of them over a decoy.
I had just as much enjoyment and satisfaction out of last bird I killed as I did the first.
When I killed my first bird I was carrying a 20ga sxs whatever 2 3/4'' shells I had in my pants pocket and a Lynch box call,no camo no gps,cell phone,blah,blah,blah.
Like anything else involving the outdoors these days,the amount of "Gear" you have access to is incredible and its up to you what makes your time spent in the Outdoors more or less enjoyable.
If I hunted woods or swamps mostly a decoy would probably not be high on my list of needed gear,but I hunt farmland so they fill a need for long distance attraction.
A lot of the places I hunt are small parcels and there is no run and gun option,more than once I have killed a bird that came off a neighboring property to a decoy set on a field edge.
And they are great for guys hunting out of blinds,with kids or older hunters,lots of interaction between birds and decoys,its very entertaining.
As far as realism,you could probably cut some decoys out of cardboard,paint them up and kill Turkeys,but to me pride of ownership comes into play,I like nice guns and rifle's and gear and yes decoys.
We live in age where people spend 5 to 15 dollars for one Turkey load,hundreds plus on calls,hundreds plus on clothes and decoys and chairs and blinds and boots and vest,hundreds plus on guns,hundreds plus on scopes and bino's,Thousands on out of state trips,guides,tags,etc,etc,etc.
The older I get the less I seem to worry about the killing its more about the overall experience.
There's no right or wrong way to enjoy your time outdoors,you just have to figure out what makes your time in the field the best it can be and don't worry about what everyone else says or does.
And yes DSD's are worth it,I hunt over their Goose decoys also,but there are quite a few other brands now that make quality realistic Turkey decoys.
Hope Everyone Has a Great Spring...............Greg
Quote from: Happy on March 20, 2020, 10:21:46 AM
You would think if turkeys cared about ultra realistic details then the fact that all decoys have one leg and very anatomically incorrect legs at that would be a huge red flag.
My turkey are pretty particular , they like the one leg hen's .. :TooFunny:
Quote from: guesswho on March 19, 2020, 02:19:21 PM
For those who need or want them, they are worth every penny. But for my personal use I wouldn't give 50 cents a pair for them.
Pretty fair statement right there....
No doubt but that the premium decoys are better. More realistic and more durable. That is not to say that other (less expensive) decoys will not work.... Or that you need decoys at all.
But nobody can say that premium decoys do not make a difference, or that they work better. Impossible to prove (or disprove) that more realistic decoys attract (or not) turkeys better than less realistic decoys...
"My opinion" would be that more realism can potentially play into a greater success ration...
Best looking decoy in my eyes but I've never noticed a difference using them vs other decoys.
Had to do some serious paint touch up work on my hen last year though it sounds like DSD has fixed the issue since I bought that hen in 2008 or so. Can't complain to much as she's 12 years old. Had some money to burn so I bought the new Jake, should be delivered next week. We will see how much action he gets.
Quote from: Greg Massey on March 20, 2020, 02:22:18 PM
Quote from: Happy on March 20, 2020, 10:21:46 AM
You would think if turkeys cared about ultra realistic details then the fact that all decoys have one leg and very anatomically incorrect legs at that would be a huge red flag.
My turkey are pretty particular , they like the one leg hen's .. :TooFunny:
Your turkeys might be on to something Greg. A hen turkey frozen in place with one leg. Sounds like a perfect scenario for a hormone filled gobbler.
Well there is a gizmo that you can attach to a hen or Jake that when you pull the strings the decoy will twirl around. I sure that will take his attention off the one leg.
The DSD decoys are worth the money , you'll only have to pay for them ONE time , my original hen dsd from 2008 is right now sitting out in a trail doing its thing , who only knows how many ice killed with it
Remember this is a one time investment, one and done ...with that said if you were to only get 1 , I would recommend the Jake .....if two the Jake a d the upright hen that can also be laid on the ground
If your more mobile and like to travel light then the hen may be best for you ....
All DSD decoys come with a camouflage carry bag
Quote from: Greg Massey on March 20, 2020, 02:22:18 PM
Quote from: Happy on March 20, 2020, 10:21:46 AM
You would think if turkeys cared about ultra realistic details then the fact that all decoys have one leg and very anatomically incorrect legs at that would be a huge red flag.
My turkey are pretty particular , they like the one leg hen's .. :TooFunny:
:TooFunny: :icon_thumright:
Good one Mr. Massey
I've got a DSD upright hen, feeding hen and a jake. I think they're the best looking and most realistic decoys I've seen, other than a taxidermist mount, but if you think DSD's are expensive, look into the taxidermy ones!! :lol:
I've bought all of mine during the off season on sales. Turkeys think they are actual turkeys because they look so real. I've never had a bird shy away from my DSD's, yet. I know it will eventually happen. I started off years ago with cheap foam decoys, and slowly worked my way up to DSD's. I've found over the years that the more realistic your dekes are, the better the response to them.
So to answer your question, yes, they are worth the money.
I carry them in the bags they come in, over my shoulder. If I carry more than 2, I'll throw all the bags into a back pack style mesh duck decoy bag. It's worth the effort. As the season rolls on, I reduce the amount of dekes I carry, and eventually drop down to one hen. Mine have held up very well. No issues with wear and tear so far.
Quote from: Old Gobbler on March 21, 2020, 09:38:18 AM
Remember this is a one time investment, one and done ...with that said if you were to only get 1 , I would recommend the Jake .....if two the Jake a d the upright hen that can also be laid on the ground
If your more mobile and like to travel light then the hen may be best for you ....
I would get the leading hen over the upright... Other hens do NOT like that decoy, and it looks like a breeder if I set her directly on the ground (without a stake)...
Probably would not make any difference at all though.
How do you guys carry 2 of the dsd decoys? Im use to the old fold up ones lol.
Quote from: Bobby5 on March 23, 2020, 09:05:58 PM
How do you guys carry 2 of the dsd decoys? Im use to the old fold up ones lol.
Soccer ball bag.
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Never have liked carrying decoys in a mesh bag. At least for me, I find that things ( beaks, stakes, etc ) kind of hang up in the mesh which I find aggravating. My preference is a non-mesh, smooth material. Things slip in and out easier.
Quote from: Greg Massey on March 20, 2020, 02:22:18 PM
Quote from: Happy on March 20, 2020, 10:21:46 AM
You would think if turkeys cared about ultra realistic details then the fact that all decoys have one leg and very anatomically incorrect legs at that would be a huge red flag.
My turkey are pretty particular , they like the one leg hen's .. :TooFunny:
You should name her PEGgy!
I have Avians and they work very good. The only real issue I have had with them is a leak in my laydown hen and one in my 1/4 strut Jake. But a little shoe goo fixed them up. I think I will try the DSD and just buy them one at a time.
When I use them depends on the situation, I hunt on Fort Campbell which is an Army base. So obviously it is public land. But it is setup a little different then most public spots. Not sure if anyone else has hunted military bases before but it is a check-in system. There is a list of available areas and you check into one of those areas. But if the area you want is full already you can't get it. So sometimes the area I get my have a lot of fields, sometimes more hardwoods. If I get an area with a lot of fields I carry several decoys. If it is more hardwoods then I might carry one hen decoy or none at all.
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Quote from: Bobby5 on March 23, 2020, 09:05:58 PM
How do you guys carry 2 of the dsd decoys? Im use to the old fold up ones lol.
Each one comes with a bag. I put the hen(without bag) in with the jake.
I actually bought a duck decoy bag and just throw my dekes and bag in there and it carries like a backpack
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went ahead and pulled the trigger and bought the upright hen and jake. They look better in person then the pics.
The dad 3/4 jake is a must have. Put it out with a hen decoy a cheaper brand hen works for me. It's all in the jake posture. I have had many birds jump on the jake decoy since buying one. You won't be disappointed.
Quote from: captpete on March 18, 2020, 11:06:38 PM
I have a Jake & upright hen. Bought them about 5-6 years ago. Outside of a small scuff here or there they look new. The first few times out they can be kind of a pain to carry, but you figure out how & what works for you. I put the hen decoy(in it's bag) in the with jake decoy so I only have to carry one bag. I bought the upright hen so I can use as a regular upright hen or stake it low like in a breeding postion.
Do you use a shorter stake to make it look like a breeder? I would never be able to get the original stake that far in the ground. I have the hard bodied version and tried to just set it on the ground, but it doesn't like to stay in place, especially if there is wind.
I just use an old arrow, cut to length and added an insert to the back end.
Easy fit in the pack and then stabilizes the decoy, I used my DSD Upright Hen, now I have bought the Submissive Hen. Upright is still used for Run &Guns so I can switch her to set.
MK M GOBL
Quote from: MK M GOBL on April 09, 2020, 09:44:02 AM
I just use an old arrow, cut to length and added an insert to the back end.
Easy fit in the pack and then stabilizes the decoy, I used my DSD Upright Hen, now I have bought the Submissive Hen. Upright is still used for Run &Guns so I can switch her to set.
MK M GOBL
X2 ...So agree , I've got more cut pieces of arrow shaft ,than most indians had arrows ..LOL..
Quality only costs once. No doubt the best turkey decoys on the market. Buy once, cry once. :character0029:
I have not upgraded to DSD's yet and probably won't as long as my Avians are accomplishing the job. Both are fine decoys but I have had a lot of success with my Avians. I had to build sturdier stakes to withstand all the abuse they get and reseal them from time to time to hold air but that has been about the only issue. I am looking to purchase an older model Avian breeder hen like the one in the attached video link so if anyone has any leads please message me. This hen was heavier and fatter than the new breeder and seems to attract gobblers and hens much better. Even when I have out both they go to the "fat" hen first. Here is a clip from some awesome video I got this past week: https://youtu.be/e8ol8RHAbkg
Quote from: Dfowlup on April 10, 2020, 09:57:08 AM
I have not upgraded to DSD's yet and probably won't as long as my Avians are accomplishing the job. Both are fine decoys but I have had a lot of success with my Avians. I had to build sturdier stakes to withstand all the abuse they get and reseal them from time to time to hold air but that has been about the only issue. I am looking to purchase an older model Avian breeder hen like the one in the attached video link so if anyone has any leads please message me. This hen was heavier and fatter than the new breeder and seems to attract gobblers and hens much better. Even when I have out both they go to the "fat" hen first. Here is a clip from some awesome video I got this past week: https://youtu.be/e8ol8RHAbkg
I will not be "upgrading." Avians have been working very well for me over the past 3-4 years at least. The paint has not chipped or peeled and they fool turkeys consistantly. I am not sure DSD's are truly the way to go. To expensive and it seems they don't hold up as wall as Avians. As to Avians not holding their air. Mine do!