Which dekes?

onstep · 12-16-2003, 01:46 PM

I'm in the market for some new decoys to replace old and boost the numbers in my spread. What type of decoys are you guys using and why? I've heard good things about G&H. What size are people running? Thanks for any help.

Buck50 · 12-16-2003, 02:02 PM

G&H are awsome dekes, you'll love them. We just use the standard size. The mags would be nice, but are kinda spendy!

Wreckless · 12-16-2003, 02:15 PM

G & H are awsome decoys..I love the fact that you can have different head positions. The Bluebills are SWEET! BUT, take a look at the Greenhead Gear (Avery, I think) decoys, they are AMAZING and cheap!! The Teal are peices of art as are the wigeon (sp). I have heard the paint didn't stay on the first few batches , but I'm having no trouble with mine. They are a little heavy but they are small, like a duck so you can carry more.

IMHO stay away from magnums they may work on early ducks, get decoys that look like ducks, not decoys. Don't worry, they can see your spread.

My over priced $.02

Dennis

ICHTHYDEMON · 12-16-2003, 02:24 PM

You don't need to waste money on magnums or super magnums. If you only had 5-6 dekes in your spread then maybe. If you have a dozen or more in your spread the birds will see standard dekes from along ways.

I have about 10 dozen dekes. They are a mixture of G&H,Flambeau,and Carry-lites. My favorites are the Flambeau weighted keel. They are good looking dekes,that won't break the bank. As I replace bad dekes,I may look at the Greenhead Gear dekes,as mentioned above,they are sweet.

Lured In · 12-16-2003, 02:27 PM

I'll second the recommendation on the Greenhead Gear(GHG) dekes. Mine are hanging tough and they look awesome.

You can get a dozen of the "hot buy" mallards for $25. That is a tough price to beat. I am not a huge fan of the weighted keel, but when tossing dekes, its nice to have them turn right over. I heard a rumor GHG is coming out with a water keel, too.

If I had to do it again, I would get the Life Size Mallards from GHG. The hot buy's keels are really tight to the bottom of the deke and don't leave much room for wrapping anchor line. This is not a big issue if you only have 3-4' of line, but I run 8' on all my dekes. The life size run about $44 a dozen. No they don't have posable heads, but you can buy two dozen of these vs. one dozen G&H.

Drakeblake · 12-16-2003, 03:31 PM

Greenhead gear all the way. I just got my order of a doz. baldplates... amazing! They are great. I also heard that the paint was bad on them but it seemed to be fine.. still I sprayed them with a flat acrylic just to be safe. I know a guy that pro-staffs for them and he said they fixed what ever was wrong with the paint on the first few batches. The weighted keels do suck and add alot of weight but other than that no complaints.

-blake

ANDYCOHO · 12-16-2003, 04:08 PM

Greenhead Gear

They are the best lookn' dekes I have ever owned. I bought 2 dozen of the Hot Buy Mallards and 2 dozen of the Widgeon. I got one batch of Mallard Drakes that the paint was bad, but Cabela's is taking care of it, and I expect my new dekes any day... They say that the paint is guaranteed not to scratch, peel or chip!

GHG are a little heavy, but they make up for it in beauty!

[ 12-16-2003, 05:10 PM: Message edited by: ANDYCOHO ]

billc_sbio · 12-16-2003, 06:55 PM

I don't have any, but the Greenhead Gear ones look GREAT!

The Standard sized G&Hs are awesome. Their Magnum ones look nice, but they're both $$$ and HEAVY! :depressed: Also have the detachable, easy-to-lose heads that you want to GLUE in place!

The Flambeau Super Mags are pretty nice.

Right now there oughta be some dealers "blowin 'em out"...a good time to pick up new decoys!

steelheadslayer · 12-16-2003, 07:39 PM

I just replaced all my Flambeaus with Greenhead Gear dekes. Wigeon, Pintail, Ring Necked Ducks and water keel lifesize Mallards. These are the best decoy I have ever seen on the water. The price is right and I'm impressed with the no chip warranty, I don't believe any other decoy manufacturer offers that. I also have 2 doz. of the hot buys that are good looking but a little smaller than the lifesize.

Swamp Puppy · 12-16-2003, 07:45 PM

greenhead gear... period.

Capin' Dan · 12-17-2003, 04:23 AM

When getting the greenhead gear avoid the $25 specials they are the ones having th apaint issues. Go with the life size birds they garantee the paint on them. They look nice also. it is what I will replace my G & H's with.

Dan

onstep · 12-17-2003, 07:34 AM

Thanks for the quick responses. The green head gear really seems to be the most recommended by you guys and the www.waterfowler.net crowd. Green Head, as I understand it, builds 3 sizes the hot buys, life size and oversized. Is this correct? Where in town can you pick up Green Head Gear? Thanks in advance

Lured In · 12-17-2003, 07:48 AM

Yes your understanding of the sizes is correct. Good luck finding some in stock in the area. You best bet is to order from Cabela's or another catalog company. I was able to get a dozen bluebills and widgeon from Cabela's in less than a week and a half. (Be sure to ask about availability, how many are allocated and when the next order will be coming in, if they are backorderd.)

You might also check out GHG's website to see if the water keel version are available from specific retailers.

Good luck.

Flatfish · 12-17-2003, 09:37 PM

How much do you wanna spend?

Do you pack them on your back? Or in a boat?

G and H are cool blocks if you don't wanna mess with painting them every season.

The dog likes whatever is cheap( classifieds "buck a block" program) and repainted so they actually look like a duck. I like them too.

If money and weight are not an issue, the Columbia River blocks that Guthrie makes sure are cool. For the money they should be. I just can't bring myself to pay that much for something a future puppy will chew on. If you are a top of the line, big water hunter, they are without peer.

Mark and the rattlecan cheapies still kill ducks for me dog.