Hardcores

[SamnTuck]

I'm taking a semester off from school, so I'll be working all fall/winter and I'll have a lot of extra money. I usually stick with GHG goose decoys, but I'm considering maybe adding a few other brands. I really like the look of the Hardcore signature series, they have some pretty unique poses. Also, I like the DSD lookers. Anyone familiar with these? They're amazing looking, albeit pricey, but if they're not going to hold up at all I really don't want to waste my money. Granted, for such a pricey investment, I would take extremely good care of these, but I saw a bunch of Hardcores in the yard sale a few days ago that were only 2 years old and hunted 1 season that looked pretty rough(paint chips, flocking really worn, etc...). Will Dave Smiths and hardcores suffer the same fate? I really only want to add maybe a half dozen dekes with these unique, ultra life-like positions. Also, anyone know anything about Hardcore full body ducks? How do they hold up? How do they look in the field compared to GHG? Thanks guys. I really appreciate any feedback.

[dahmer]

Here's my honest opion on your question. Save your money. The DSD decoys are awesome looking but I can't see paying $300.00 for 4 decoys. The Hardcores are very nice looking but not very durable and there motion stakes are not very user friendly and you don't get the movement like you do out of GHG. If I were buying decoys I would be buying GHG FFD Lessers, durable, great motion, take up alot less room than honker's and are just as effective. Hope this helps you out.

[SamnTuck]

Yeah I agree entirely about the FFD lessers. I've already purchased some this summer and plan on getting another dozen at least before the regular season. A lot of people are cynical of the durability of GHGs, but I really love them. I think they're the most realistic looking for the price(especially the FFD lessers). I just thought it'd be nice to have some extra postures and really life like decoys right in the landing zone. I'll probably just buy a bunch more FFD lessers and hope that sheer numbers can be more effective than a small number of really quality, detailed decoys.

[mallard stomper]

The ffd look great but the durablity isnt the greatest. I would go with Dakotas. They are very durable and they look great too.

[schroho]

Take a good look at Dakota.....you will not be dissapointed!

[Robo]

I agree.. Dakota's all the way.

[snow shooter]

GHG changed their paint. they are much more durable than they were a few years back.

but dont get the FFDs. i hunted with a buddy who ran a spread of 10 dzn. GHG FFDs (hes a Pro-Staff) and we got hit with rain, and the rain just stuck to the side of them. he said he would give me some so i took them, hunted once with them in the snow, sold them right after. the snow stuck to them and make them look really unrealistic

[SamnTuck]

Nobody has anything bad to say about Dakotas regarding their durability and I was strongly considering getting some earlier this summer, but never did. I kind of think they look goofy. They seem really beefed up or something, but maybe they look different in person. Anyone in upstate NY run 'em?

[KKarloff]

The scheels here in Omaha has the dakota decoys. Now I agree with you that they are a little different looking, and yes in person you still get the same look. But I really do like the motion system and the bases that they use it looks like they would work great. As far as the hardcores go I have a bunch of older ones that have been used for four seasons and they still look pretty good. But the new ones I think are a little less durable and the bases are not good. I dont see how you can go wrong with either the dakotas or GHG they are both great decoys and work great together. No matter what you have to take care of both of them there is not a decoy IMO that will stand up to repeated beatings if you use them enough. Good luck

[Travis R. Bullock]

Take a good look at Dakota.....you will not be dissapointed!

+1

[Drake691]

Take a good look at Dakota.....you will not be dissapointed!

+1

+2

[SamnTuck]

Any input on the Hardcore full body ducks? I don't have any full body ducks yet, but I plan on adding some. Should I buy greenhead gears and stick with the company I'm comfortable and familiar with?

[freefall319]

Any input on the Hardcore full body ducks? I don't have any full body ducks yet, but I plan on adding some. Should I buy greenhead gears and stick with the company I'm comfortable and familiar with?

I would. Throw some flocked heads on them and you'll be set!

[HATCHETMAN]

Honestly I believe the ducks finish better to the hardcore mallards than to the ghg mallards in my experience. if your hunting deep water or ice, the hardcores can be drilled in, or a piece of sucker rod added for deep water. The retract-a-base in the ghg is a good concept until you realize the black metal stands freeze into the ice, the feet are too orange, and they are a pain to work in deep water, plus the little roll pin will work itself out of the locking device. Hardcore should be on the comeback. Supposedly fixed the paint issues, brought back the metal bases, and the paint schemes will be more vivid. I wouldn't give up on hardcore just yet.

[kswaterfowler]

there is one flaw with the dakota decoys. The first day I set one on display i went to put it on the motion base and the screw in the top of the decoy almost popped all the way out.

[Foiles SMH1]

Dakota Decoys All the Way! Well worth the money and they look really good!