New-B....Intro and some ?'s about decoys

[PSUHunter]

Well, been lurking enough now :lol: fig. I would go ahead and join in on the fun. :D Anyways, Im from PA and have been hunting for a long time, just last year my cousin and I and several friends got into waterfowling, though we didnt get anything (didnt put to much time in, didnt have decoys, didnt know spreads, etc etc, you get the point) it was a blast and are hooked.....hook line and sinker. So, we have BIG plans for this coming season. Already have several locations lined up and working on more. We are going to be looking at getting some decoys, here is where the fun starts...expensive fun that is :x One of my friends already has 1 dozen shells we used last year, so we are looking at getting 1-2 dozen more shells and some full bodies. How many full bodies should we look at, I know most places sell them by 6 or 4 and I know they are not cheap, but from all the reading and studying I have been doing on here and other places I know they work. We were looking at either getting 8 or 12 full bodies. Were looking at Redhead, bass pro's brand, but some people said the paint was crappy and chipped alot. Also was looking at Big Foots, so whats some suggestions. As for a spread, 3-4 dozen shells and say 8-12 full bodies, would we be looking ok? Thanks for the help and insight, we are looking to do some series slamming this year :twisted:

[nitrousneil]

you boys should be ok with the shells and big foots, bf's are a great decoy for intro-level hunters, they hold up very well, i would assume you dont have a trailer?... the ghg decoys look good but need bags and they take up alot of room. i would not recommend the bass pro stuff, i bought 3doz. of their shells when the were on sale and the paint was already chipping off straight out of the box, and you cant see them in a corn feild, they do look good in the snow though. have fun this fall, if you need anything else just ask...

[calling4life]

Save your money and buy all full bodies.

Bigfoots, GHG, are going to be your best options for the money you have.

Bigfoots new motion system stinks, so if you get bigfoots, get them with the foot bases.

I would take 3 doz full bodies over 4 doz. shells and a doz. full bodies.

I would tell you to get elite full body lessers, if you look you should be able to get them for 160 a 6 pack and that comes with a bag for easier transport and storing. Very realistic, and fewer numbers of these decoys will produce better results as more of a cheaper decoy.

I believe bigfoots are going to be 100 bucks at the cheap end for 4 anyway, so if you turn that into what 6 costs its 150 without bag.

So the elites are worth it, they are full flocked and wont shine on you.

GHG ELITE FULL BODY LESSER, look them up and see what you think

[PSUHunter]

Thanks guys, I will check them out. Yeah, I really am trying not to skimp, I learned my lesson's before on other stuff. Thats why I just picked up my benelli.......even though I didnt get the SBEII haha BUT I will check out those decals, def. want flocking for the non-reflection. We dont have a trailer....yet that is...we def. want one, but he's geting married this summer and his $$ is going to the Honey moon hahaha but someday. Ive done alot of researching, reading, etc, and cant wait. Def. going to be picking up a SMH, blew a friends and loved it, my cousin tried a zink $ maker and didnt care for it as much as the SMH 8)

[bck1006]

Dakota Decoys... Thats all I will say!! :D One of the toughest decoys on the maket,best motion system on the market,great customer serivce,lifetime unconditional guarantee on againest any workmanship.
Since you live in PA will you be attending the waterfowl expo in june? If so I do belive that Longneck outdoors may have some decoys on hand if you want to check them out.

[calling4life]

I have heard good things about the dakotas, they slipped my mind.

If you are tight on space, the lessers like I stated will be the way to go, they are also light and easy to carry.

However if you guys will have a trailer, or a bigger truck, Dakotas are definitely worth looking at. Big decoy that looks good, and a flocked head.

The 6 slot bags help keep your decoys in better shape, but will also help you save some space. You can buy them for the bigfoots or the dakotas.
The Elite lessers will come with them.

I am redoing my spread this year, and so I'm in the same boat, trying to get enough money, seeing how much space I'll have etc... etc...

Try a bunch of calls out, see what you like and buy it, don't look at the price tag, the call will be worth it.

[waterfowladdict]

I

Would

Recomend

Hunters

Series

Fullbodies

Affordable

Work great

You

Can Get

Them used

By the Doz.

For about

$220

We use

Hunter Series and have never had a problem 90-100 plus 2 doz shells is what we usually run. In my opinion the Dakotas arent going to kill you more birds, companies try to trick people into thinking the more you spend the more you kill.... B.S.

[waterfowladdict]

Whats with all

the spaces in

between all your

sentences Calling4life? Its kinda starting to get annoying.

[bck1006]

He was talking about different topic and the spaces help to seperate them. Also if you have never hunted with a qaulity decoy(Dakota,DSD,Dropzone) the you have no idea what you are talking about. The early season birds will drop in on almost any brand but it makes a difference when it comes to those late season eduacted birds.

[calling4life]

I guess I kept hearing from my teachers over the years that double spacing at least in between topics/paragraphs is easier on the readers eyes. Helps reduce fatigue.

Sorry for thinking about your health and quality of life.

Add the price of bags to those hunter series and your better off going with elites. Lessers that is, would never recommend full size actives or feeders.

[dahmer]

If your starting out. Save your money and get quailty decoys. Theres no sense in buy cheap for quanity. I agree with Brian when you use quality decoys you will see the results ten fold, specialy as the season goes one. You can clean geese over any type of decoy but to do it day in and day out is where the quality comes into play. Also remember motion is also a determining factor when picking out fullbodies. I run all FFD lessers and honkers, there motion system is on of the better one on the market and they do the trick for me. Others decoys to look at are Hardcore and DSD there body poses are very realistic. I have hunted over Dakota Decoys and they are a well made decoy but I don't care for there body poses and they are bulky like bigfoots. Hope this helps you out.

[NWPAScott]

Welcome aboard...glad to see yet another PA hunter on the forum.

My $.02 on getting started is use whatever decoys you can afford but more importantly find the "X"(where the birds want to be)..get on it....and hide WELL. Our group of guys does pretty well with a mix of a couple dozen shells and a few full bodies MOST of the time.

Oh and don't be afraid to take that Benelli out on the bad days...that's when they shine! :wink:

[waterfowladdict]

Welcome aboard...glad to see yet another PA hunter on the forum.

My $.02 on getting started is use whatever decoys you can afford but more importantly find the "X"(where the birds want to be)..get on it....and hide WELL. Our group of guys does pretty well with a mix of a couple dozen shells and a few full bodies MOST of the time.

Oh and don't be afraid to take that Benelli out on the bad days...that's when they shine! :wink:

Couldnt agree more, you dont need to pay $300 for 4 decoys to kill geese.

[waterfowladdict]

I guess I kept hearing from my teachers over the years that double spacing at least in between topics/paragraphs is easier on the readers eyes. Helps reduce fatigue.

Sorry for thinking about your health and quality of life.

Add the price of bags to those hunter series and your better off going with elites. Lessers that is, would never recommend full size actives or feeders.

Im just giving you some chit man.

[PSUHunter]

Thansk for all the info. I am going to be looking at alot of decoys and seeing what I find as the best, becuase how everyone knows, everyone likes certian decoys the best. Well also be getting layout blinds which is once agian, a bird of another feather haha


BCK1006...where and when is the expo, I wasnt aware of it, I thought I heard of it but wasnt sure, but I can tell you this, now that I know I will def. be going with some friends, just have to find the details out 8)

[PSUHunter]

Oh and don't be afraid to take that Benelli out on the bad days...that's when they shine! :wink:
Thats what I figured, plus the mossberg is my 3.5" gun also for late season, hoping I can get away with 3" till late season when they seem to not want to come in as well. I cant wait for early season, had some fiends tell me how easy it can be....sometimes that is :D

[bck1006]

Thansk for all the info. I am going to be looking at alot of decoys and seeing what I find as the best, becuase how everyone knows, everyone likes certian decoys the best. Well also be getting layout blinds which is once agian, a bird of another feather haha


BCK1006...where and when is the expo, I wasnt aware of it, I thought I heard of it but wasnt sure, but I can tell you this, now that I know I will def. be going with some friends, just have to find the details out 8)

Here is the info:
Here is the schedule so far, some things may change but a final schedule will be posted on the Monday before the show. The big events like the retriever test and calling contests will stay on their scheduled days. Any questions give me a shout! See you then! Brian


Saturday June 14th
Mercer,PA

Main Stage

0700-0930 Vendor setup
1000-1005 "Killin' Time 3" Box Opening Ceremony!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
1005-1045 Avery/Zink Duck Calling/Reading Ducks
1100-1145 Sean Mann Waterfowling History, Values and Ethics
1200-1400 Calling Contests
1400-1445 Final Approach Care of Gear, Safety Afield
1500-1545 Foiles Migrators Goose Calling 101
1600-1645 Lynch Mob Calls TBD
1700-1745 Flambeau TBD
1800-1830 Dave Gelhar Comedy Show
1830 Grounds Empted. Party/reception TBA

Saturday Kid’s stage area

1030-1130 TBD
1200-1300 Gun Safety and Kids
1300-1400 BB Gun Range, Kids
1600-1700 Youth Hunting Seminar with Mark Spence and Hunter Cummings


Sunday June 15th

Main Stage

0915-0945 Sunday Prayer Service with Jim Beverly and Eric Peters
1000-1200 D.T. Systems Retriever Test
1200-1245 Sean Mann Warefowling History, Values and Ethics
1300-1345 Cover Systems Introduction to 3D Boat Blinds
1400-1445
1500-1545 MOJO Outdoors Use of Spinning Wing Decoys
1600-1645 GLW TBD

Sunday Kid’s stage area

1030-1130 TBD
1200-1300 Gun Safety Kids
1300-1400 BB Gun Range Kids
1600-1700 TBD
_________________
www.longneckoutdoors.com

[nitrousneil]

that event sounds like a good time.

[dirt]

the more you hunt the better you will get at finishing birds.

you don't need to switch from 3's to 3.5 because of late season birds that are educated. you might kill some more birds but you also start to cripple more also. shooting bigger loads is not an excuse for poor shooting and bad spreads that won't finish birds.

Not to bust your balls at all, take this with a grain of salt. and welcome to the forum, chalk one more up for PA

[KKarloff]

My 2 cents would be to save your money and buy the best looking full body decoys you can afford. Wether they be FA, GHG, BF it dont matter what ever looks best to you they are all great decoys. Then every year just add a little more to the pile. Soon enough you will have a very good spread of decoys. I am not saying you cant kill geese over shells. They work great if your hunting a shoreline or in the snow where the geese are sitting to melt the snow to get food. Where I hunt good looking decoys are a must have. We are always hunting those big local geese that have seen it all. I usually run about two to three dozen of my best looking decoys, because every day the geese see spreads of fifty to two hundred ragged old decoys that are left out everyday during the season. So that is how I am setting myself apart from them. Also the better the decoys and the spread look the better the birds will finish. Calling will play a major role in that also. As far as laydown blinds, there are a lot of good blinds out there the FA SUB is a very good blind it is comfortable and easy to carry. Good luck to you its an addiction :)

[salthunter]

This has been my expireience. Im a firm believer in fullbody decoys. Ive had Carrylites, Bigfoots, Hidgons, Hardcores, GHG, I eventually ended up with a spread of DSD.
Ive only seen proto types of FA and Dakotas, being new they wont be many used ones :shock:
I dont expect young guys getting going to dump too much into a spread.
My suggestion: try to buy someone out, good used decoys. Post up a wanted add at local outdoor merchants or your nickle saver magazine, or on some hunting forums
Watch for sales, Ive seen new Hardcores for $248 a dozen. Used Bigfoots for $150, and fellows dumping one year used GHG for $300 with bags
Not sure how big of a spread is needed in PA. But Im guessing most fields you wont need many.
Work on your hide, burlap, pit, or layout; hide well. Spend plenty of time practiciing your calling too

[calling4life]

Power Hunter layout blind, take the middle bar out of the cage, 130 bucks, very light, you can use one killerweed kit to camo 2 of them.

When you dig in you don't have to dig much because they are so low profile. Work great.

I have never minded having my gun right next to me because I have a camo gun case I rest it on, keeping the shotgun right where I need it. You can rest it on you, and that works fine too.

For concealment they are definitely at the top of the class.

[PSUHunter]

Thanks everyone! Cant wait. Great tips and I keep learning more and more and more!

[moxofmallards]

Hard Core Decoys are what we are using and have very good results, i think that the extra money you pay for the hard cores or even the dakotas are worth it, just look at the quality and toughness! Just my opinion.

[honkstopper]

Here is a little of what i have learned over the years not that i have been in the game for ever but 16 years of learning on your own teaches you alot. Shells work, Fullbodies work better, don't worry about the size of shotgunshell but find the one that patterns the best with your gun every gun is different even if they are the same model, and most impotantly HIDE HIDE HIDE,

As far as decoy comparison goes for me i like the lessors becasue of the size and ease of transport not from home to the field but from the road to the field when we have to walk in, awesome motion, awesome look

Hardcores need some improvements on their flocking and paint which are being made, Older ones are better

FA haven't used them but they do look good honestly don't like the motion system in the Foiles signature series

Dakota heard alot of good things about them but everything i have heard all about they motion that is a combination of the Avery limiter and the Hardcor strap and to that i say not that big of deal not sure what makes is so great compared to Avery

Big foots are awseome kick em anywhere and they hold up and look good don't like the motion sytem in these,

[GreenHeadRocker]

calling knows his stuff.

[rambo13]

wow lots of info on goose decoys interesting to see some peoples ideas, this is my opinion on decoys and how they run down Stuffers cant be beat however they can be beat for price and durabilty, dsd's, dropzones probably two best decoys however wow they cost alot dropzones have the texture so slight edge there, however not the body styles and cool looks that the dsd's and hardcores have. Textured repainted hardcores are what i use they are awesome, and more affordable. seen some repainted big foots look almost as good as dropzones, sorry paul. green head gears are ok i like the motion the fully flocked just hasnt held up as far as how the paint looks. even double bagged in the trailer getting started i would agree that you should start with used good looking decoys build your spread with good decoys and work your way into a large spread with great decoys. also be patient buying them and look at a bunch of new ones before you look at used ones, some used ones are going to be on there last leg and some are going to be out of the box.
ps be carefull you buy one dozen the next week you will have 15 dozen

[PSUHunter]

I know what you mean rambo, Im headed to cabelas this afternoon with my cousin to pick up our benelli's, and the deal they are running is anything you buy on the same transaction is 0% and no payments until June 30th of 09, so It would be stupid if I didnt get some decoys now becuase Im going to get them anyways, only problem is I dont know what they have in stock. But I talked with my cousin and he plans on getting 1/2 dozen r so full bodies, so if I get the same or a couple more, well have over a dozen full bodies, probably 2-3 dozen shells, if we each get 1 doz, and my othjer friend has 1 doz alreayd, I think we will be pretty good, or so I hope. But been watching some BIG flocks already and are already planning out some locations. Also been watching lots of ducks, so cant wait till 08/09 season opens!!!!!!!!!!!!