When that wary old gobbler hears soft hen yelps, clucks and purrs––he's looking to see what he hears.
But if your decoy is just standing there and is not naturally moving, then that gobbler might spook or simply move on; he knows something is just not right.
It’s true that many decoys come equipped with a stake that sways the decoy with the wind, but wind is often unpredictable. Wind can sometimes be so strong it spins your decoy like a pinwheel; or so weak, it does nothing at all. However, if you add controlled decoy movement to your decoy setup, big toms will be able to see your decoy easier and believe that it’s real.
Using a decoy motion device puts the power in your hands—giving you full control. Here are some aftermarket add-ons that will make your decoys move.
The Decoy Sled
Designed by veteran turkey hunters Darrell Heinn and Tim Foster, the Decoy Sled is built with a basic concept to bring movement to turkey decoys. The name says it all: It's a lightweights metal sled you can attach to a decoy for pull-string movement. It can be set up in minutes with no tools. They guarantee it will work, or you can get your money back.
Avian X Lifeline 360 By Zink
This compact, innovative device uses a small disk-and-pulley system to impart realistic hunter-controlled motion with a pull-string with handle. It works great, especially in states that don’t allow electronic decoys (like the devices mentioned below). Once a decoy is secured, it can be swiveled in a 360-degree arc. The 360 is compatible with most of today’s gobbler or hen decoys.
Strutt’n 360 By RJ Dunkin Co.
This remote-controlled decoy stand is an electronic device that produces quiet and lifelike strutting rotation motions from up to 120 feet away. The durable and waterproof stand is battery powered and is operated with a compact keychain controller for full 360-degree turn-around motion, or quick burst to change which direction the decoy is facing. It sets up quickly and its stake system accommodates a variety of turkey decoys.
Reel Turkey From Edge By Expedite
This simple decoy-on-a-skidder allows you to pull it through a field or trail in the woods with a string. You can make the hen travel along in any direction (using directional stake) as well as make her appear to be feeding by slowing bobbing her head up and down. This decoy kit includes: hen decoy, skidder motion assembly, reel control handle, 200 feet of braided line, directional stake and carrying bag. The device can be modified to work with other decoys, too.
Double Trouble By Countryman Innovations
This remote-controlled motorized decoy stand swings decoys so they look like they are chasing or feeding is a circle. The strong, horizontal boom assembly swings in a diameter of 24-38 inches. Each side is adjustable so that the decoys can be off-set, giving an illusion that one decoy is moving around faster than the other. The vertical posts are also telescoping, and can be adjusted independently from 12-20 inches to provide ground clearance in a variety of terrain.
Please note: always check you state’s regulations before using any decoy or decoy motion device (some electronic devices might be banned).