I just ordered a Foxpro Spitfire which should arrive next week. I see that Foxpro also makes a Jack in the box decoy as well as a Jack attack decoy.

Anyone have experience with these decoys? Are they worth purchassing? If so, which one is preferred. The critters I will be targeting are coyotes and foxes here in Virginia.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

Don't hang out here much because I rarely get to do the varmint hunting I'd like to do. But I've found a simple stick with a feather tied onto it with fishing line so it can flutter in the wind does a pretty good job. It sure seems to get a coyotes attention when I've used them and they are a lot cheaper than the the commercially made decoys.

I have and use a FoxPro FX3 and a Jack-in-the-box (JIB). I don't always bring my JIB, but it's very useful if set up where it gets the critter's attention.

Sometimes there just isn't a good place to sit because of terrain or wind, and the decoy helps to keep the critter's attention away from you. Sometimes I hunt with a shotgun, so I have to get them in closer and it really helps to distact them as I lure them into range. I also find that the JIB works well when placed out in the open where they can see it. It's much better for me now that we have snow down.

JIBs aren't exactly cheap, but I've never had the slightest problem with mine and the batteries last just about forever. I got mine used and the guy who owned it before me installed a lightweight exterior electric outlet cover over the switches to weatherproof them a bit better.

Good luck

Have used JIB with good success, but most of the time I think you can get coyotes inside 150 yards with no decoy. I have shot and seen shot a lot of called coyotes, very few were or would have died because of a decoy.

Thanks for your thoughts guys.

FYI, where I will be hunting is wooded and mountains or foothills. Most sightings probably 150 yards max.

JIB is about $130. J-attack about $100.

Coyotes are giving our deer, especially new born fawns hell.

I'm ready to defend my turf.

Thanks again for you thoughts and suggestions.

If you're doing this to defend your turf then you better get at it. You may make a small dent for as long as you hunt, but I think that many of the experts agree that you'd have to take about 70% of the population out several years in a row to make a true dent.

First things first, though - get out and get one.

PS - I'd invest in a couple of mouth calls - they are cheap, easy to carry, can be used if the batteries fail, you forget your caller at home, you're at your deer stand and see a coyote in the distance, etc. Most mouth calls need just a little practice every now and then.

Decoys can be an asset. I use the Burnham Brothers Stick Tease (feather on a stick) or the Mojo Critter Decoy ($40 at allpredatorcalls.com). They help keep the attention away from you giving you more shot opportunities. I will be testing a Jack Attack shortly. I know the first run was a bit noisy, but it is my understanding that it has been corrected.