The Best Turkey Decoys of 2023, Tested and Reviewed

So the second decoy setup that I use here in northern Illinois is just a single hen. Now I'll take this out usually halfway. Through the second season into the third season.

This won't get a jake or confident 2-year old to come in, but a boss gobbler with hens will take the bait almost every time. The single best decoy anyone can own is a submissive, half- or quarter-strut jake. If you're into shooting any legal turkey, this type of jake will draw in anything with a beard.

My go-to setup for bowhunting turkeys is what I call the love triangle. The love triangle consists of two hen decoys set very close - say three to five yards - at 45-degree angles. Directly between the two hens, but farther out at 10 to 15 yards, I place a male decoy over a bedded hen.

It will really just depend on how the bird is behaving, but I will typically use just a hen early in the season and sometimes no decoy at all, so they come looking, Jordan says. No matter the time of year, I'll keep a full fan beside me in case he is looking for some kind of movement.

The more realistic a hen decoy is, the more likely a gobbler will be to come to that decoy. I've found that a mounted hen decoy will lure in a gobbler much faster than a plastic hen decoy will. I've discovered that the more realistic the hen decoy looks, the better your odds will be to bag a gobbler.

If I am working a bird in heavy cover, it's probably one of the few times I will not put a decoy out. In these situations, the longbeard is searching for my calls and we are in close quarters. If he stumbles on a decoy, he may get spooked. Decoys work best when toms can see them from a distance.

J Decoy Spread Also known in some 'fowling circles as The Fishhook or simply The Hook, the J is the go-to spread whenever you target divers, regardless of whether you're gunning from shore or from a boat. Visually, the J is just as it's written.

On smaller, confined waters, a spread of six to 36 decoys should be sufficient. On larger waters or dry fields, hunters should put out as many decoys as practical. I never heard of anybody scaring ducks or geese away because they used too many decoys. Typically, the more, the merrier.

Depending on the size of water you are hunting, anywhere from six to twelve teal decoys will work.

Not only must decoys be realistic but hunters need to present them in ways that are lifelike and realistic. Just scattering decoys around may not be enough. Many hunters place a lot of emphasis on calling. But even championship callers admit that decoys are more important in many situations.

A good turkey bowhunt boils down to birds willing to work the decoys. This means that in most places you need quality decoys that offer up a convincing look and body posture. This becomes evident when you spend a day in a blind watching birds skirt your ambush site at 60 or 70 yards.

Using decoys is a great way to directly influence deer behavior and bring them within range to take a well-placed shot. However, misusing decoys either limit their effectiveness or cause deer to avoid the area.

Good decoys don't just dupe lovestruck toms, they pull in hens as well. If your spread draws in the ladies and they feed contentedly through your setup, you are on to something and the longbeards are sure to come. I ordered a flock of DSDs after that hunt and have never looked back.