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Decoys
#6792527
06/14/17 12:49 AM
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Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 112
chaseh2003
OP
Woodsman
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OP
Woodsman
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 112 |
I'm planning to buy some new decoys this off season but I'm still pretty new to the game. I like the looks of the gig pro grade and avian x. Any opinions on those, especially durability? Also, recently heard a guy say he doesn't hunt without flocked decoys these days. Are they really that great? I haven't seen many for sale or many people using them. Thanks
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Re: Decoys
[Re: chaseh2003]
#6792885
06/14/17 12:50 PM
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,386
john paul
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,386 |
Go with Avian X and never look back. GHG duck decoys are trash.
I'm with GK because I like salty old dudes.
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Re: Decoys
[Re: chaseh2003]
#6792912
06/14/17 01:06 PM
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Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 155
HuntersAnonymous41
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 155 |
Avian X is prob your best bet with maybe some mojo' s thrown in. I've hunted my decoys for close to 7 years without any real issues. I have a few dozen Flocked but only because I used to hunt out west and up north in some icey conditions. Depending on your environment I don't think it's really nessacary.
*BLLM* Black Labs Lives Matter. Point&Shoot. Conserve&Protect. Hunt&Gather
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Re: Decoys
[Re: chaseh2003]
#6792927
06/14/17 01:19 PM
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 35,485
Guy
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 35,485 |
I been using G&H for over 5 years now, I like the way they look and they are very durable. I'm hell on decoys I don't think I have any with chip paint, the decoys have a rough surface not sure it is possible for the paint to chip.
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Re: Decoys
[Re: Guy]
#6793032
06/14/17 02:29 PM
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 11,788
wal1809
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 11,788 |
I been using G&H for over 5 years now, I like the way they look and they are very durable. I'm hell on decoys I don't think I have any with chip paint, the decoys have a rough surface not sure it is possible for the paint to chip. X2 Your grandkids will be hunting those decoys. All others are Chinese crap IMHO
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Re: Decoys
[Re: chaseh2003]
#6793040
06/14/17 02:43 PM
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,645
garrett
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,645 |
If you're running plastic decoy and they arnt G&H then you're an armature that most likely shoots an 870
quit wasting your money and buy quality that lasts
Attention rickym, this is not a troll post, just a good hearted fun type of post
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Re: Decoys
[Re: chaseh2003]
#6793150
06/14/17 04:11 PM
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Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 746
TTUhunter4
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 746 |
If you want decoys that look like cartoon ducks, get G&H. If you want your decoys to look realistic, buy Avian X.
"God made man, but Samuel Colt made them equal."
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Re: Decoys
[Re: chaseh2003]
#6793167
06/14/17 04:22 PM
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,645
garrett
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,645 |
if birds get close enough to tell they are cartoon characters you missed the shot calling opportunity and are going to end up shooting at tail ends anyway
Attention rickym, this is not a troll post, just a good hearted fun type of post
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Re: Decoys
[Re: TTUhunter4]
#6793298
06/14/17 06:09 PM
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 11,788
wal1809
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 11,788 |
If you want decoys that look like cartoon ducks, get G&H. If you want your decoys to look realistic, buy Avian X. So if I read this right, you're saying the ducks are able to tell the difference between G and H and GHG decoys? Is this that correct or no?
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Re: Decoys
[Re: chaseh2003]
#6793572
06/14/17 11:08 PM
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Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,431
BDB
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,431 |
I'm planning to buy some new decoys this off season but I'm still pretty new to the game. I like the looks of the gig pro grade and avian x. Any opinions on those, especially durability? Also, recently heard a guy say he doesn't hunt without flocked decoys these days. Are they really that great? I haven't seen many for sale or many people using them. Thanks Here's what I have learned in just a few short years of duck hunting. - if your hunting where the ducks are or want to be you can have the most expensive or the most cheapest decoys...you will kill ducks if you can shoot. - The actual looks of a decoy matter more to the guy who bought them than it does to the ducks. - The consensus in the duck community on quality brands can be narrowed to 3...Avian X, Dakota and G&H...and in no particular order. - You should spend your time concentrating on....where your hunting, EFFECTIVE calling...and that could encompass not calling at all, quality waders/gear, and learning how to cook duck meat. all that said I spent my money on Avian X cause...I could afford them, they look good to me and there very durable.
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Re: Decoys
[Re: BDB]
#6793861
06/15/17 03:47 AM
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Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 336
hunt91
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 336 |
I'm planning to buy some new decoys this off season but I'm still pretty new to the game. I like the looks of the gig pro grade and avian x. Any opinions on those, especially durability? Also, recently heard a guy say he doesn't hunt without flocked decoys these days. Are they really that great? I haven't seen many for sale or many people using them. Thanks Here's what I have learned in just a few short years of duck hunting. - if your hunting where the ducks are or want to be you can have the most expensive or the most cheapest decoys...you will kill ducks if you can shoot. - The actual looks of a decoy matter more to the guy who bought them than it does to the ducks. - The consensus in the duck community on quality brands can be narrowed to 3...Avian X, Dakota and G&H...and in no particular order. - You should spend your time concentrating on....where your hunting, EFFECTIVE calling...and that could encompass not calling at all, quality waders/gear, and learning how to cook duck meat. all that said I spent my money on Avian X cause...I could afford them, they look good to me and there very durable. Hit the nail on the head here! To the OP - Another vote for Avian X here
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Re: Decoys
[Re: wal1809]
#6793940
06/15/17 11:42 AM
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Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 746
TTUhunter4
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 746 |
If you want decoys that look like cartoon ducks, get G&H. If you want your decoys to look realistic, buy Avian X. So if I read this right, you're saying the ducks are able to tell the difference between G and H and GHG decoys? Is this that correct or no? How did I say that in any way? First of all, I never mention GHG in my post at all. Second, I never said anything about what the ducks think of the decoys. Read the post for what it says. G&H decoys look like cartoons, Avian X look realistic. We know birds have much better vision than we do, but none of us know how much, if any, difference realistic vs fake looking decoys make in the eyes of the ducks. No way to know unless some big scientific study is done or we learn to speak duck. I also think Garrett's post with the old cliche "if the birds are close enough to see the difference they should be dead anyway" is laughable. I guess Garrett hunts over painted coke bottles and milk jugs since birds can't tell the difference. The reality is none of us know how much of a difference the realism of our decoys truly makes, but if the point of a decoy is to look like a duck, why wouldn't I buy decoys that look realistic?
"God made man, but Samuel Colt made them equal."
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Re: Decoys
[Re: TTUhunter4]
#6793981
06/15/17 12:47 PM
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 11,788
wal1809
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 11,788 |
If you want decoys that look like cartoon ducks, get G&H. If you want your decoys to look realistic, buy Avian X. So if I read this right, you're saying the ducks are able to tell the difference between G and H and GHG decoys? Is this that correct or no? How did I say that in any way? First of all, I never mention GHG in my post at all. Second, I never said anything about what the ducks think of the decoys. Read the post for what it says. G&H decoys look like cartoons, Avian X look realistic. Ok Avian X then, still the same Chinese crapWe know birds have much better vision than we do, but none of us know how much, if any, difference realistic vs fake looking decoys make in the eyes of the ducks. No way to know unless some big scientific study is done or we learn to speak duck. The only science needed here is asking oneself, did the birds decoy to my cartoon decoys? Yes. No more science needed.I also think Garrett's post with the old cliche "if the birds are close enough to see the difference they should be dead anyway" is laughable. I guess Garrett hunts over painted coke bottles and milk jugs since birds can't tell the difference. Garret hunts over, shoots and loses my G and Hs.
The reality is none of us know how much of a difference the realism of our decoys truly makes, but if the point of a decoy is to look like a duck, why wouldn't I buy decoys that look realistic? Because Avian and GHG and the likes are made in China I reckon that day we shot 4 limits of ducks that can't tell the difference between a cartoon and a chinese knock off.
Last edited by wal1809; 06/15/17 01:04 PM.
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Re: Decoys
[Re: chaseh2003]
#6793989
06/15/17 12:56 PM
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 18,554
ducknbass
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 18,554 |
I've killed limits of green over a couple inflatables. Literally like 5 and one had his head chewed off by a squirrel.
If I was to buy high end decoys I'd want durability and warranty. Also only one decoy is made in America. Choice is clear.
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Re: Decoys
[Re: ducknbass]
#6794015
06/15/17 01:14 PM
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 11,788
wal1809
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 11,788 |
I've killed limits of green over a couple inflatables. Literally like 5 and one had his head chewed off by a squirrel.
If I was to buy high end decoys I'd want durability and warranty. Also only one decoy is made in America. Choice is clear. Yes Sir! Like I said in an earlier post, I called G and H and got a woman on the telephone. I told her I had a paint issue, she said "Hold Please" and 30 seconds later Duck was on the telephone. He was immediately investigating the problem. They had a bad batch of canvasbacks where the paint was coming off of the body. Once he found out it was of that batch he asked one thing of me. He asked I take a hack saw and cut off the head, not just pop it off but cut it off and send them back to him. His reasoning was he cares about quality and does not want anything below quality still in existence. He asked what species I wanted and mailed them that very moment. I got them 3 days later. He said I will trust you to send me the heads, which I did. Try calling the owner of any other brand out there. I don't care how much these decoys cost. Rigged out they are about $25 a decoy. I know guys at the coast that have had the same G and H decoys for 25 years (Obviosly they have never hunted with Hogman, Garrett and Dave. G and H are tougher than a lineman's boot but they are no match for those three polyamorous duck hunters)
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Re: Decoys
[Re: chaseh2003]
#6794161
06/15/17 03:14 PM
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Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 618
nate33
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 618 |
Sigh ---------- goose hunters use white rags for decoys,,, does anyone think ducks are that much smarter than geese ???????
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Re: Decoys
[Re: chaseh2003]
#6794255
06/15/17 04:43 PM
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Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,431
BDB
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,431 |
"X2 Your grandkids will be hunting those decoys. All others are Chinese crap IMHO"
I would not exactly classify Avian X as crap. Their proven. It would be nice if they were made in the USA but its not like thousands of Americans are not benefiting from the selling of Avian x brand.
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Re: Decoys
[Re: BDB]
#6794383
06/15/17 06:48 PM
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 11,788
wal1809
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 11,788 |
"X2 Your grandkids will be hunting those decoys. All others are Chinese crap IMHO"
I would not exactly classify Avian X as crap. Their proven. It would be nice if they were made in the USA but its not like thousands of Americans are not benefiting from the selling of Avian x brand. I don't mean the decoy quality itself, I mean because it is made in China it is crap. To be honest I don't know if I have ever even seen a Avian X. I don't need to see them to know I don't want them. I figure the last decoy company that is made in america, is getting my cash. Besides that I think G and H are very realistic. I use wigeons redheads and pintail at the coast. To me the pintails are the most realist decoy while on the water.
Last edited by wal1809; 06/15/17 06:49 PM.
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Re: Decoys
[Re: chaseh2003]
#6802287
06/23/17 09:54 PM
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Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 2,943
Ben Lilly
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 2,943 |
I bought some suc duck, old herters and some fowlfoolers. We get lucky on occasion with them. They aren't made in America but Toledo is fairly close.
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Re: Decoys
[Re: chaseh2003]
#6803091
06/24/17 07:50 PM
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Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 34
CarolinaPete
Light Foot
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Light Foot
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 34 |
Avian X has been great for me, soft plastic keeps the paint fresh.
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Re: Decoys
[Re: chaseh2003]
#6803565
06/25/17 02:08 PM
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Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 4,002
68A
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 4,002 |
Haven't been duck hunting my entire life but, in the 10 yrs I have, I haven't once hunted over Avian X, G and H or Dakota. I have hunted over Academy brand, GHG, Flambeau and higdon. I think I've done well on both public and private. I've never walked away from a hunt where I got skunked and thought "if I only had Dakota or G and H I would've killed birds today". Not to say that G and H aren't better quality, I don't question that. I just agree with what someone else already stated, location is the most important thing. If you have your location right and your blind setup good, IME it doesn't matter much which brand you have out there as long as you're not blowing a call when you have no movement or doing something crazy like that.
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Re: Decoys
[Re: TTUhunter4]
#6804169
06/26/17 01:54 AM
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Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 328
outfitter1
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 328 |
I hunted ducks for 57yrs. For the first 15 yrs I hunted oil cans and half gallon bleach bottles painted black and I killed more duck than most will kill in a lifetime now. It is more about being where the ducks want to be than what your decoys look like, but G&H holds up the best just means your money gets a better return.
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Re: Decoys
[Re: chaseh2003]
#6804324
06/26/17 11:31 AM
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Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,866
texasdude28
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,866 |
You could go truly old school and get cork decoys, mine have served me well and my son will hunt over them when I am gone.
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Re: Decoys
[Re: texasdude28]
#6805066
06/26/17 10:54 PM
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 35,485
Guy
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 35,485 |
G&H don't look cortoonish to me. I only use mallards and pintails mainly. I agree with points made, what's important is being on the x or finding birds. But when you are not seeing a lot of birds, you got late morning mallards that are flaring, and you are scratching your head woundering why the birds are not committing, you want your deeks to look good, you want to scratch that potential reason off your list.. Dirty deeks on a blue bird morning with skidish mallards i think will flar ducks. Clean deeks that are not faded is most important vs quality of deek. I would rather have new academy deeks vs high dollar dirty/faded ones. You buy the high dollar ones because they look better longer.
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