A spread of Mallard decoys.
Decoys…How to pick the right ones, how to rig them, how many to get….these are all questions that ever waterfowler has. Everyone that I have talked to has a different opinion on what to do. So I thought I would share my thoughts on the matter.
1. Quantity. A decoy collection is built over many years and with an understanding spouse. You don’t have to buy 4 dozen decoys your first year. Start slow and build a quality spread.
2. Versatility, you want your first decoys to be able to handle multiple uses. For example removable keels so you can use them in the field of an adaptor stake like they use at G&H Decoys. This will give you options and make your dollar go farther.
3. Paint or color, you want your decoys to be realistic as possible. So look for a company that has a quality paint scheme.
4. Durability, This is a little redundant but it is important, you want your decoys to last. Invest is a quality decoy and you will have it for years to come, there is nothing worse then watching the paint fall off your decoys as you bag them up after a frozen hunt.
5. Species, don’t be afraid of mixing it up. Everyone has a bag full of Mallard decoys, add some Teal, Wood Duck, or Widgeon to your spread. This will give the ducks a look they haven’t seen and may be the difference between a good hunt and a great hunt.
Now I did just get off the phone with Ward from G&H Decoys and after reviewing their website a couple things struck me about them. The first being that all their decoys are made here in the USA. Secondly they are innovators, always working on something to make the set up and tear down process of decoys easier.
They have a new line of teal decoys as well as new paint schemes on a lot of their decoys. In talking with them it is became very clear to me that they take a lot of pride in what they do, and this is evident by the quality of the product that they produce. They have invested a lot of energy into making their decoys not only look good but last longer then the competition.
The product I am most excited to try is their new Transformer Adaptor Stake. I know for me and a lot of you waterfowl hunters switching your decoys from water to field use can be a pain and ofter you get a decoy that excels at one or another. Well G&H solved this problem, the made the keels of their decoys so that they fit a field stake so there is no conversion necessary, simple slide it on and away you go. This is a simple way to get more out of your decoys and maximize the money that you spend.
So as we end the waterfowling season and are looking towards the next, take some time before you buy to look at what you are buying. Your gear can make or break your next hunt.
PT