Carrying Turkey decoy ideas

sivart

WKR
Joined
Sep 5, 2012
Messages
675
I hunt an area that we cover miles running and gunning on some vertical terrain. Looking for ideas to carry a decoy or two.
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I use an EXO 3200 pack, typically for this hunt, but I've never tried toting a decoy. Looking for suggestions.
 

Krolly

FNG
Joined
Mar 10, 2024
Messages
24
I have some that seem to never stay open and look good after I fold them for long periods. I cut a piece of wood to span the inside body and put a screw in each side. To hold them open. Makes them not pack as well but I tie off a light rope to the heads or the wood and loop over my shoulder when carrying. Works for a Tom with a mounted fan also.
 
Joined
Oct 5, 2018
Messages
2,071
Location
Colorado
I have inflatable decoys that are light and pack easily but I rarely use them. It's too much of a hassle to dig them out and inflate/deflate.
 
Joined
Jul 20, 2014
Messages
1,299
Location
Kirtland, NM
I use a collapsible foam rubber type of decoy. I rarely collapse it though because it takes a little heat to bring the shape back. I put it between the the frame and pack itself. Just pull it out when it’s needed. I have put it inside the pack as well and strapped it to the outside. A pic of my decoy and son packing his bird out. I ended up carrying the bird out after a few steps. 🤣
 

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Joined
Apr 27, 2022
Messages
52
Location
Denver, CO
I will sometimes bring an inflatable jake and hen decoy set up with me. If I'm bringing both, I usually just deflate them as much as possible, fold them up, and put them in one of the decoy bags they came with. I will just strap this to the back of my pack using the compression straps. Keeps them contained pretty well and if you strap them down it isn't awkward to hike with - just extra weight. I like that set up better than stuffing them inside my pack with my other gear.
 
Joined
Apr 26, 2019
Messages
1,263
Location
Pacific North West
I stitched 2 loops into single decoy bags for my Dave smith and replica decoys. I strap one onto each side of my pack. I also have a reckoning for my kifaru and I can fit 2 decoys inside of it. Both options work well for me.
 
OP
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sivart

WKR
Joined
Sep 5, 2012
Messages
675
I always forget i have a snow collar. I can get the hen decoy to fit there. May have to strap the jake to the outside. May just leave it.
 

Jellymon1

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
May 26, 2020
Messages
157
Location
Wetside Washington
I wouldnt overthink it. Just strap it fully inflated (if using inflatable) to the back of the pack. I put on quite a bit of miles and elevation this year and never knew it was there until I set up. This is it deflated while packing out my double this year.

IMG_0795.jpeg
 

Kurts86

WKR
Joined
Aug 15, 2020
Messages
593
I stitched 2 loops into single decoy bags for my Dave smith and replica decoys. I strap one onto each side of my pack. I also have a reckoning for my kifaru and I can fit 2 decoys inside of it. Both options work well for me.
I did a similar thing with my Avain-X decoy bags. It lets me carry a ground blind and multiple decoys in one trip for archery hunts on a Exo 3500.
 

Gman12

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Aug 27, 2020
Messages
229
If you buy an Avian decoy they come with a carrying bag that works pretty well. It has a strap that you can throw over your shoulder and they weigh next to nothing. I have my shotgun over one shoulder and the decoy bag over the other.
 

IW17

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Mar 10, 2022
Messages
134
Location
NE Ohio
Just take a jake decoy and stuff it in the pack. That's my preferred setup. Set the jake up in view of any Tom's that enter your zone, and stay back into cover where Mr Tom can't see what's making the hen noises. Once he see a Jake and hears a hen, that's usually all it takes. Usually.
 

dtrkyman

WKR
Joined
Oct 2, 2014
Messages
3,221
I rarely use a decoy in the mountains, but have been considering a funky chicken decoy, I know a few guys who swear by them and they are light and compact.

I have a ton of confidence in my DSD jake, but not toting that around the mountains very often!
 

UpTop

WKR
Joined
Mar 30, 2019
Messages
318
I rarely use a decoy in the mountains, but have been considering a funky chicken decoy, I know a few guys who swear by them and they are light and compact.

I have a ton of confidence in my DSD jake, but not toting that around the mountains very often!
I can attest to the funky chicken working! I’ve watched mountain birds beat the snot out of one. It was entertaining.

As for the OP I sometimes carry full size avian x decoys and just keep them in their bags and strap them to my MR pop up on the adjustment bar. One on each side. Then just use a bungee or rope to keep them from flopping around while I hike.
 

Taudisio

WKR
Joined
Jan 20, 2023
Messages
1,085
Location
Oregon
I rarely use a decoy in the mountains, but have been considering a funky chicken decoy, I know a few guys who swear by them and they are light and compact.

I have a ton of confidence in my DSD jake, but not toting that around the mountains very often!
The funky chicken is the only Jake/tom decoy I will use on public land. If someone shoots it, they are going to get an earful because it’s really unrealistic, except the head, and I’m only out $30. I’ve had jakes tear that thing up. The toms never make it close enough to the decoy.
 

webhak

FNG
Joined
Jun 20, 2024
Messages
21
Location
WA
I toted a Primos B Tom and a collapsible Montana hen decoy in the bird back of my upland vest from Marsupial. I stopped carrying the Tom as the season went on. I had both decoys on me when I shot my bird and carried the bird over my shoulder with the decoys in the back pouch. It was a bit of a hike and I should have swapped it up: put the turkey in the back pouch and carry the decoys in the mesh decoy bag that comes with the Primos.

But, I was being stubborn and apparently set on making the hike out more difficult than it needed to be.
 
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