Hunting Washington Forum

Other Hunting => Turkey Hunting => Topic started by: buglebuster on March 12, 2015, 05:18:15 PM

Title: avian x Merriam and Rio grande decoys!
Post by: buglebuster on March 12, 2015, 05:18:15 PM: Anybody check these out yet? They look :tup: :tup: :tup: maybe it's just because I'm used to seeing turkeys with that much white :chuckle: I'm only finding them as a jake/hen combo. Would like to just pick up one or the other not the set right now.
Title: Re: avian x Merriam and Rio grande decoys!
Post by: 6haase6 on March 12, 2015, 06:58:45 PM: I believe midway USA has them in singles.
Title: Re: avian x Merriam and Rio grande decoys!
Post by: RadSav on March 12, 2015, 07:19:03 PM: I have some Avian X decoys, but they look more like Easterns (got them for west side so...). Fantastic look, great quality, but the heaviest decoys you will ever find. I wouldn't want to pack more than two and really don't use the ones I have because of the weight and bulk. Maybe if I had private land or a spot I could drive close to it would be ok.
Title: Re: avian x Merriam and Rio grande decoys!
Post by: RadSav on March 12, 2015, 07:21:13 PM: I will send you a hen to play with if you want to give it a try before you buy! Just send me a PM with shipping address and a promise to send it back after the season.
Title: Re: avian x Merriam and Rio grande decoys!
Post by: buglebuster on March 12, 2015, 08:31:12 PM: Wow thanks Rad! PM sent and plans made. I am still interested if anyone knows where you can but the merriams in singles. Midway just has the original ones as singles.
Title: Re: avian x Merriam and Rio grande decoys!
Post by: RadSav on March 12, 2015, 08:45:39 PM: Looking through Avian's website it doesn't look like you can get them in singles. Might be worth a call for clarification :dunno:
Title: Re: avian x Merriam and Rio grande decoys!
Post by: nalley112 on March 12, 2015, 10:08:42 PM: Does the cabelas here in town have them? i seen they carry the avians but havent even looked at them yet. i have the original ones from there though.
Title: Re: avian x Merriam and Rio grande decoys!
Post by: lokidog on March 12, 2015, 10:19:54 PM: I bought a single Avian X hen last year or the year before (can't remember where), they are awesome looking decoys, and not too heavy.

Nice offer Rad!

Bugleboy, I'll let you use mine, and deliver it, if I can come too.... :rolleyes: :chuckle:

BTW, do a google search for avian x hen for sale, seems lots are available. :dunno:
Title: Re: avian x Merriam and Rio grande decoys!
Post by: RadSav on March 12, 2015, 10:52:30 PM: Quote from: lokidog on March 12, 2015, 10:19:54 PM
I bought a single Avian X hen last year or the year before (can't remember where), they are awesome looking decoys, and not too heavy.

I was not expecting a collapsible decoy to be 4.5#. To me that is heavy. If running a double hen set with a jake that's over 13 pounds of decoys collapsed at about 14X7X6 each (rolled up). That's a bit much for a turkey vest or tuxedo and a three mile hike into my turkey spot. For someone just hunting the back 40 they should be fantastic!

I know from personal experience that coyotes hit them at full stride and can't figure out how to kill them :chuckle:
Title: Re: avian x Merriam and Rio grande decoys!
Post by: 270Shooter on March 12, 2015, 10:59:27 PM: I have an avian x hen too. Really nice looking decoy. I agree they are a little on the heavy side and they don't collapse that well in my opinion, but they make up for it with realism.
Title: Re: avian x Merriam and Rio grande decoys!
Post by: lokidog on March 12, 2015, 11:01:32 PM: I don't carry three decoys..... :chuckle: They are definitely heavy duty. I used some featherflex (?) light foam ones for years and finally upgraded. I've also used a light inflatable one that I like but it was kind of shiny and I lost the plastic piece that fit between it and the stake, it also leaks a little now. I think half of my birds have not even had a decoy out for them to look at. :rolleyes:
Title: Re: avian x Merriam and Rio grande decoys!
Post by: RadSav on March 12, 2015, 11:08:55 PM: Quote from: lokidog on March 12, 2015, 11:01:32 PM
I don't carry three decoys..... :chuckle: They are definitely heavy duty. I used some featherflex (?) light foam ones for years and finally upgraded. I've also used a light inflatable one that I like but it was kind of shiny and I lost the plastic piece that fit between it and the stake, it also leaks a little now. I think half of my birds have not even had a decoy out for them to look at. :rolleyes:

I do not recall a single bird I've killed when a decoy was outside my pack. Then again, I'm not much of a turkey hunter either. I do like to make-believe I are one every couple years. :tung:
Title: Re: avian x Merriam and Rio grande decoys!
Post by: lokidog on March 12, 2015, 11:16:19 PM: Quote from: RadSav on March 12, 2015, 11:08:55 PM
Quote from: lokidog on March 12, 2015, 11:01:32 PM
I don't carry three decoys..... :chuckle: They are definitely heavy duty. I used some featherflex (?) light foam ones for years and finally upgraded. I've also used a light inflatable one that I like but it was kind of shiny and I lost the plastic piece that fit between it and the stake, it also leaks a little now. I think half of my birds have not even had a decoy out for them to look at. :rolleyes:

I do not recall a single bird I've killed when a decoy was outside my pack. Then again, I'm not much of a turkey hunter either. I do like to make-believe I are one every couple years. :tung:

You don't need decoys when you shoot them off the roost..... :peep: :lol4:
Title: Re: avian x Merriam and Rio grande decoys!
Post by: RadSav on March 12, 2015, 11:28:19 PM: What do they say? What's good for the grouse is good for the jake. I think that is what they told me in Texas. Maybe it was goose and gander, I forget :dunno:
Title: Re: avian x Merriam and Rio grande decoys!
Post by: MtnMuley on March 13, 2015, 07:48:10 AM: These are great looking decoys, but like rad said, gawd awful heavy. I hand my hands on a couple Merriams the other day, and wondered how you inflated/deflate them once in the field? I see they had a valve underneath.........

Also looked at another brand, can't remember the name, but their jake was even more lifelike than the Avian X. Little more expensive though.
Title: Re: avian x Merriam and Rio grande decoys!
Post by: lokidog on March 13, 2015, 02:52:17 PM: Quote from: RadSav on March 12, 2015, 08:45:39 PM
Looking through Avian's website it doesn't look like you can get them in singles. Might be worth a call for clarification :dunno:

Oops, guess I didn't notice you were looking for Merriam or Rio versions. Personally, I don't think the turkeys care/notice the difference. :twocents: