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General Discussion => General Forum => Topic started by: TurkeyRookie on April 07, 2011, 12:17:04 AM

Title: Cheap decoys on a budget
Post by: TurkeyRookie on April 07, 2011, 12:17:04 AM
Heard of some videos where a guy ties a blue balloon to a fence and the Tom comes in and attacks it. Another guy who put a blue sock on a stick and Turkeys came in to investigate. What do you guys think of "homemade" decoys like that? Is motion the key to a good decoy? Somewhere in here you guys were discussing how they took all the parts off of a decoy and I think it was just the head left and they still came in. Just looking for opinions. Want something super cheap to draw attention away from me. What do you think?
Title: Re: Cheap decoys on a budget
Post by: njdevilsb on April 07, 2011, 01:25:13 AM
I think that isn't anything I would want to try.  I'd go no decoy before I tried that. 

You can get a Cabelas hen decoy for 20 bucks.
Title: Re: Cheap decoys on a budget
Post by: neal on April 07, 2011, 08:22:57 AM
Quote from: njdevilsb on April 07, 2011, 01:25:13 AM
I think that isn't anything I would want to try.  I'd go no decoy before I tried that. 

You can get a Cabelas hen decoy for 20 bucks.

+1
Title: Re: Cheap decoys on a budget
Post by: Struttin Spurs on April 07, 2011, 08:42:55 AM
I agree. Go no decoy before trying to experiment. By using unconventional decoys like balloons and stuff you risk spooking the bird. Although I have heard the birds get curious and come to check things like that out I wouldn't risk using them on a hunt. Just my opinion though. Who knows, they may work better than anything. Haha
Title: Re: Cheap decoys on a budget
Post by: bowhunter84 on April 07, 2011, 08:57:55 AM
Quote from: njdevilsb on April 07, 2011, 01:25:13 AM
I think that isn't anything I would want to try.  I'd go no decoy before I tried that. 

You can get a Cabelas hen decoy for 20 bucks.
:agreed:


doesnt sound like a very good idea to me
Title: Re: Cheap decoys on a budget
Post by: Trip on April 07, 2011, 11:59:51 PM
Quote from: njdevilsb on April 07, 2011, 01:25:13 AM
I think that isn't anything I would want to try.  I'd go no decoy before I tried that. 

You can get a Cabelas hen decoy for 20 bucks.
:agreed:
Title: Re: Cheap decoys on a budget
Post by: stinkpickle on April 08, 2011, 12:03:51 AM
Quote from: tennturkey1 on April 07, 2011, 10:43:25 AM
I use foam decoys. Go to wingsupply.com You can get a pretty good looking decoy either jake or hen for under $5 each.  The fold up stake is included. I have been using these for several years and they work fine. I fold the stakes and decoys up in my vest and they unfold and form out well. You will be happy with them. I do paint the heads of the jake a brighter red.  They also have many other great close out deals on all kinds of hunting stuff. Check them out. Th ye are located in Ky.  They ship fast and I have always been very satisfied with their products.  Good Hunting! Ronnie

Sometimes, you can find cheap decoys at Walmart too, but here's the good Wing Supply deal...

$4.95 + shipping

http://www.wingsupply.com/shop/Scripts/prodViewSKU.asp?SKU=99946418 (http://www.wingsupply.com/shop/Scripts/prodViewSKU.asp?SKU=99946418)

(http://www.wingsupply.com/shop/images/99946418.jpg)
Title: Re: Cheap decoys on a budget
Post by: WyoHunter on April 08, 2011, 12:19:17 AM
I'd opt for no decoy!
Title: Re: Cheap decoys on a budget
Post by: TheTwistedOne on April 08, 2011, 09:25:35 AM
You can make a cheap decoy look much much better if you very carefully and thoughtfully repaint it.

Making the colors and patterns on the decoy look more natural really helps a decoy.

The best cheap decoy is a real tail fan.

I've used only a real tail fan clipped to crossed carbon arrows as a decoy before and it works!  The trick for using one is to put it on the field edge in such a way that a nearby bush on the field edge seems to hide where the "body" would be.  I've noticed, sub dominant birds often strut just outside the edge of a field and not actually enter the field so this set up does look natural.  Makes a dominant bird mad.