Cheap decoys on a budget

[TurkeyRookie]

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?

[njdevilsb]

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.

[neal]

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

[Struttin Spurs]

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

[bowhunter84]

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.

doesnt sound like a very good idea to me

[Trip]

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.

[stinkpickle]

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

[WyoHunter]

I'd opt for no decoy!

[TheTwistedOne]

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.