Mojo Critter

This is a great example of an impressionistic decoy. The Mojo Critter looks like nothing in particular, but looks like everything at the same time and is sure to get a response from hungry predators. What I like best about this decoy is its long top section that was easy to see from a great distance. The intermittent movement also gives this decoy a touch of realism that I prefer over predictable, constant movement. The unit is well built with a solid steel staking system that works in even the hardest ground. While all stake supports will eventually meet their match in really rocky ground, this one was the toughest. Contact: www.mojooutdoors.com or (866) 216-6656.

Edge Prowler Bait and Caller

This diminutive call/decoy is designed more as an active bait for trapping than it is for predator calling, but I think it would work very well for specialty calling situations particularly for bobcat and red fox, especially in dense wooded cover where animals are apt to be close before seen. The base unit emits a high pitched chirping sound of a bird in distress while the plastic injection molded bird on top moves in conjunction to the sound. At only several inches tall, this unit must be used in the right area (like set on a rock pile) and I believe with a separate, louder calling source (except for the final approach of a bobcat), it would fix their attention long enough for a hunter to get a shot. Contact: www.edgebyexpedite.com or (715) 381-2935.

Fox Pro Jack In The Box

This decoy is exceptionally well made, innovative and packed full of features. It is built around a weather resistant molded plastic box (hence the name), which serves as its own base with no need for a stake. The furry decoy stores inside the box until the hunter is ready to use it. The batteries and electronics are inside the box. Hunters can choose delay, speed, remote and sound activated options as well as turn on a small led light, which illuminates the decoy. The fuzzy decoy is easily replaced with factory units in different colors, or users can make their own with what ever color they desire and simply mount it on the shaft. Contact: www.gofoxpro.com or (866) 463-6977.

Renzo Rabbit

Like the Renzo fox and coyote decoy, its rabbit looks very lifelike (a little more like a 4-H lop than a cottontail, but lifelike none-the-less). It is small and easily carried, however I am not sure how well a predator will see it. It’s a non-motion decoy and its small stature, combined with its natural brown color makes it difficult to see at any distance. A hunter at home could easily improve upon this decoy with the addition of a feather or another moveable object such as a piece of toilet paper affixed to the top with a tack. Another effective option would be to hang it where the wind can impart movement. Contact: www.Renzosdecoys.com or (800) 583-5416.

Feather Flex Rigor Rabbit

This decoy has probably been around the longest of all commercially made predator decoys. It’s molded from soft foam and sits on an unbalanced base to create movement. It does work, and I have had success with it for years on coyotes, but the design is self limiting. It does not have intermittent movement, react to sound or feature replaceable covers. In addition, the movement it does have is minimal. And while it does look very realistic, the simple addition of some fur or feathers would add more motion to it. Contact: www.decoys.com or (800) 232-3474.

Mojo Woodpecker

This is a great decoy, especially in light of the recent studies on predator vision. I doubt woodpeckers comprise a large portion of any predator’s diet, but all predators are opportunists. Anything edible, especially when wounded and easy to catch, will entice a predator. Most important is the coloring. Having bold black, red and white coloration, the decoy can be seen from quite a distance and the coloring makes it especially susceptible to predator vision. This decoy can be run with both wings affixed or, as I prefer, with only one wing in place giving it the impression of an injured bird. The metal stake is sturdy and easy to insert into hard ground, however for a more versatile presentation the integrated loop on top of the head allows it to be suspended from a branch or fence wire. Contact: www.mojooutdoors.com or (866) 216-6656.

Edge Wounded Woodpecker

The Edge woodpecker, like the Mojo Woodpecker, has terrific coloring, being predominantly black with some white, red and yellow markings. Instead of a rotating wing system like the Mojo, it uses an “up and down” flapping wing. Like the Mojo it will operate with one or both wings. Of the two, I feel the Edge unit is a bit more realistic in regards to imitating a flapping wounded bird. This unit is designed to be clipped to a branch, fence (due to the location of the clip, it will only hang upside down when used on a fence, which I don’t believe hurts the presentation) or suspended from the loop on the back. The only down side to this unit is the motor noise is a bit loud, but by the time a predator gets close enough to hear it, it should be too late. Contact: www.edgebyexpedite.com or (715) 381-2935.

Decoy Heart Predator Supreme

When introduced nearly 10 years ago, this was one of the first decoys to break from the traditional idea that a decoy had to look exactly like a rabbit to be successful. George Brint, the designer/inventor, broke from the norm, and used a stylistic jack-tail-groundhog (my term) design that really looks like nothing and everything at the same time. Slipped over the ball shaped decoy heart, which is mounted on a wooden dowel by means of a spring, this unit paved they way for further “out-side-the-box” decoy designs. I began using this decoy years ago with good results. Occasionally tough to insert into hard ground, the wooden decoy stake could be improved with a sharper, tougher steel unit, but other than that this decoy is simple and effective. Contact: www.decoyheart.com or (731) 658-2934.

Edge All Call

This unit would make a great western decoy where the ground is so rocky and/or frozen that inserting any type of stake is difficult. The Edge All Call has its own granite-looking rock base with an adjustable rod to add height to the decoy affixed atop it. This decoy has several unique features. It is designed to react and move in time with calling, and has a sensitivity adjustment knob to fine tune the unit. It also has a built in amplifier that can increase the output of electronic calls that are plugged into the unit. My only complaint with the unit is the decoy is a bit small for long range visibility, and a multi-head version with different furry options would go a long way towards making this decoy ideal for many applications. Contact: www.edgebyexpedite.com or (715) 381-2935.

Come Alive Predator Enticer

This unit is interesting for several reasons, beginning with the design. As we are learning from scientific studies on predator vision, mimicking nature’s camouflage is probably not the best color choice for a decoy. The Come Alive decoy capitalizes on that and comes from the factory with two different colored heads that are easily interchangeable. The first one is predominantly black with some white and red markings; the other is white with red markings. Comprised of soft marabou type feathers mounted on an ultra-flexible spring, even with the unit off, it has an element of movement. These heads would also be easy to make with your own color/material combinations. The height is controlled by several segments of fiberglass rod with rubber slip joints. The electronic box and battery holder sits on the ground, so the overall height is adjustable by simply using more or less rods. It’s designed to work as an intermittent decoy and to that end, was one of the most realistic intermittent decoys tested. The on/off ratio can be easily customized. While an overall effective design, it could be improved with a stiffer rod system in a more muted color than white. While it would work well in the snow or in soft Midwest farm fields, this unit would be tough to get to stand up in many places across the West where rocky, sandy or frozen soil are all part of the hunt. Contact: www.tail-wagger.com or (414) 421-2840.

Predator Sniper Styx Feather Dancer

Without completely returning down memory lane, this decoy reminds me very much of my first attempt at creating a decoy with a rabbit skin on a stick. While the principle is the same, this unit is much better than my attempts. It is a jointed, camo-dipped aluminum shaft that can be disassembled for easy transport. The bottom is sharply pointed to aid penetration into hard ground. The top is affixed with a swiveling devise that allows for unencumbered 360-degree movement. From the swivel, a string is attached to one large boldly marked turkey feather. That’s it. No batteries, no intermittent intervals, no sound amplifier – just a turkey feather on a stick. But wow – how effective it is! As far as sight goes, the colors are right for predators and the movement created by even the faintest hint of wind imparts movement that rivals any battery powered decoy while alerting you to any scent-busting change in wind direction. Simple, lightweight, easy to carry, effective — that’s the name of the game in my book. Contact: www.predatorsniperstyx.com or (785) 332-2731.