By and large it depends upon how you are going to use them. I used the foam decoys and they worked great but don't last and you cannot just stuff them in a bag or pocket and they'll retain their shape-they will NOT.Also, I had to paint the ones i had a flat black as they came a shiny gray color..and that sure won't work!
However in no wind they are deadly effective given that no one has really been in that area before. I mounted a few on corn stalk leaves and it would hold a fake crow but hardly a real one. And they don't know that.But it is funny watching them try. Foam decoys make great bush or tree mounted decoys. Light weight has its' advantages. But a heavy wind? They can be mounted in virtually any high bush that wouldn't ironically hold a regular crow. But-here again-the regular crows won't know it! And if you store them in the shed keep them up high-mice or something likes to eat that stuff or bite off chunks for a nest?
The best decoys? The ones you have that work. I use different types but hey-just do this-get one of those 'Buster 2s" on sale here somewhere. they are spectacular if the crows haven't seen it before...next: get one of those hardware store plastic owls and get some dull cote to eliminate the shine and you will be in business!
There are a lot of posts about decoys on this forum. Just type in "Decoys" in the search function.
Personally, I like the full-bodied plastic Flambeau decoys, but I think they are expensive. I did find a great deal this summer online, but can't remember where it was -- I ordered a dozen for about $30 - that is crazy. This added to the 10 or so that I already had, but I also flocked them all very meticulously. Many guys on here like to use flat black spray paint (often the Krylon Fusion for plastic), and some even cover them with black socks and swear by it.
I also have 6-8 foam decoys with the clothespins. Some were purchased flocked already, but I did buy some gray ones that I also flocked myself. I like to use them on bushes and in the trees. My fishing reel system can put one up there 40 feet with the right branch availability, or 20 feet with my telescoping pole. It is true that the foam ones crush and blow around in the wind, but with some care, I have found that they will hold up. I place them carefully on the top in my decoy bag, or carry in a separate duffle. If it's real windy, even the heavy decoys are going to blow around. I also cut a quarter-sized hole on the bottom of the foam decoys just above the clothespin to stick the index finger inside to manipulate the clothespin easier. If you want to put them on a stake, that's easy -- make a stake.
As far as motion decoys, I think that my modified Mojo Dove just scares crows. Most guys do not like the spinning wings for crow hunting. My Buster II motor died last year, but the flapping decoys are probably better. You can get one at Crow Mart on this site. I cannot say that Buster II ever really seemed to make a difference for me. I also followed the instructions to modify Buster II with a wired remote control -- it's easy to do. If you do use Buster II with an owl, the fighting set up is usually short-lived, unless you have a huge crow population on a flyway. The best thing hanging from your owl decoy is a dead or dying crow!
Speaking of which, nothing better than dead crows for decoys, either on the ground or in the trees. Tie two heads together with a 2 foot piece of twine and chuck them up in a tree. Shoot the branches when you are done to get them down.
I would say get as many decoys as you can afford and feel like carrying, however, I seem to have better luck overall with smaller spreads where I am. I think that my crow numbers don't warrant a large spread. They look at it and think, "I haven't seen that many crows here before," and think something's wrong. It's all about the situation.
Welcome Slick,,,,,,, depending on what part of kentucky you are from will help you decide about stakes. When the ground freezes any kind of stakes are tuff to get in the ground. I would steer clear of the foam Derek's son, they have yet to make one that will last.
I'm in frozen tundra, too. If there is enough wet snow the stakes will stand up, or I have a very large nail and a rubber mallet to make a hole in frozen ground.
I've decided I'm just going to spend more and get less decoys.
Gonna go with the GHG fully flocked decoys. Can only afford 3-4 right now but I'll probably use them as the lookout decoys and a few of my sock covered coat hangers on the ground.