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Decoys #6792527 06/14/17 12:49 AM
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chaseh2003 Offline OP
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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

Re: Decoys [Re: chaseh2003] #6792885 06/14/17 12:50 PM
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Go with Avian X and never look back. GHG duck decoys are trash.


Originally Posted by garrett
I'm with GK because I like salty old dudes.
Re: Decoys [Re: chaseh2003] #6792912 06/14/17 01:06 PM
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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
Re: Decoys [Re: chaseh2003] #6792927 06/14/17 01:19 PM
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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.

Re: Decoys [Re: Guy] #6793032 06/14/17 02:29 PM
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Originally Posted By: Guy
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

Re: Decoys [Re: chaseh2003] #6793040 06/14/17 02:43 PM
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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
Re: Decoys [Re: chaseh2003] #6793150 06/14/17 04:11 PM
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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."
Re: Decoys [Re: chaseh2003] #6793167 06/14/17 04:22 PM
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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
Re: Decoys [Re: TTUhunter4] #6793298 06/14/17 06:09 PM
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Originally Posted By: TTUhunter4
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?

Re: Decoys [Re: chaseh2003] #6793322 06/14/17 06:25 PM
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFGB0L2MDx0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QpZ43xrmHk

I talked to this guy on the telephone. I had a paint issue with some decoys. He made it right immediately. You can’t call the Chinese and tell them their paint sucks. I will always be a G and H fan.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0hhpXqWdyUs

Re: Decoys [Re: chaseh2003] #6793572 06/14/17 11:08 PM
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Originally Posted By: chaseh2003
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.

Re: Decoys [Re: BDB] #6793861 06/15/17 03:47 AM
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Originally Posted By: BDB
Originally Posted By: chaseh2003
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

Re: Decoys [Re: wal1809] #6793940 06/15/17 11:42 AM
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Originally Posted By: wal1809
Originally Posted By: TTUhunter4
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."
Re: Decoys [Re: TTUhunter4] #6793981 06/15/17 12:47 PM
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Originally Posted By: TTUhunter4
Originally Posted By: wal1809
Originally Posted By: TTUhunter4
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 crap
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.

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 cheers

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.
Re: Decoys [Re: chaseh2003] #6793989 06/15/17 12:56 PM
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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.

Re: Decoys [Re: ducknbass] #6794015 06/15/17 01:14 PM
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Originally Posted By: ducknbass
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) bolt

Re: Decoys [Re: chaseh2003] #6794161 06/15/17 03:14 PM
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Sigh ---------- goose hunters use white rags for decoys,,, does anyone think ducks are that much smarter than geese ???????

Re: Decoys [Re: chaseh2003] #6794255 06/15/17 04:43 PM
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"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.

Re: Decoys [Re: BDB] #6794383 06/15/17 06:48 PM
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Originally Posted By: BDB
"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.
Re: Decoys [Re: chaseh2003] #6802287 06/23/17 09:54 PM
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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.

Re: Decoys [Re: chaseh2003] #6803091 06/24/17 07:50 PM
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Avian X has been great for me, soft plastic keeps the paint fresh.

Re: Decoys [Re: chaseh2003] #6803565 06/25/17 02:08 PM
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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.

Re: Decoys [Re: TTUhunter4] #6804169 06/26/17 01:54 AM
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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.

Re: Decoys [Re: chaseh2003] #6804324 06/26/17 11:31 AM
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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.

Re: Decoys [Re: texasdude28] #6805066 06/26/17 10:54 PM
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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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