[flippinhntr]

Has any of ya'll used these? They seam to be a step up from Flambeau's. Going to be used as fillers aside from the Dakotas we got last year.

 

[SCDuck]

Higdons IMO!

 

[flippinhntr]

I'm not looking for a high end decoy. I already have some Dakotas that will be the focal point of the spread. Looking for cheaper fills just to make the spread bigger. Plus I am in less of a hunting budget than I have ever been.

 

[DuckDoctor]

How rough you going to be on them? If you need some beaters, Tanglefree refuges are built solid...but they look real cheap in my opinion. If you plan on leaving them out or if you don't bang them around too much, I'd look at Academy's store brand (game winner). Their looks are pretty impressive especially for the price, and are big for standard size, but I got no clue how well they'd take a beating. I was just impressed with their looks in store.

 

[shifty]

The base model higdons are pretty reasonable

 

[flippinhntr]

I'll look at the Academy brand too. I looked at them on the site but am going up there next week. As far as abuse, they wont get much. We pull them up everyday but dont transport them. Just stuff them under brush til the next day.

 

[CoyoteControlInc]

flippin, are you going to be around this area any time soon? I may have another option if so.

 

[flippinhntr]

As a matter of fact, I will be in Lepanto the first weekend of October.

 

[KeithM]

Might check out the Hard Core mallards. Dick's has them on sale for $34.99 a dozen. I have no experience with them but the reviews are the best I've seen on lower priced decoys.

 

[shakey]

I have had awful luck with hardcores. Bought a dozen magnums and two leaked in two hunts

 

[flippinhntr]

I have looked at the Hardcores and the fella I hunt with all the times has them. Honestly, I don't like that they are all rester heads. That may be a little petty but I can't seem to get over it.

 

[BIG DOG]

How rough you going to be on them? If you need some beaters, Tanglefree refuges are built solid...but they look real cheap in my opinion. If you plan on leaving them out or if you don't bang them around too much, I'd look at Academy's store brand (game winner). Their looks are pretty impressive especially for the price, and are big for standard size, but I got no clue how well they'd take a beating. I was just impressed with their looks in store.

Do NOT buy the game winner decoys the plastic is brittle and will bust.
We bought 2 dozen 2 years ago.. Had the cold front come through during the last split, 8 of em busted and didn't make it through the hunt. Took the texas rigs off the other dozen got my money back

 

[KeithM]

I have had awful luck with hardcores. Bought a dozen magnums and two leaked in two hunts

Sounds about right for plastics. That's why I only hunt with the old Herters styrofoam decoys or cork decoys. They don't sink and last for generations.

 

[SCDuck]

Flippin if your just wanting to add volume, just get some two liter drink bottles paint them black and fill the gaps. Most of the time, by the time they figure out its not a duck it's too late anyway! I personally feel like the nicer high end decoys are to make us feel good. Two liter bottles worked for years and still do today! Plus if you shoot one what have you lost $1.29 vs $5-15 /decoy.

 

[Doug Hodges]

Are new decoys that important? Do my old beat up decoys keep the ducks from landing?

 

[flippinhntr]

Not really, Doug. One of the main reasons we are wanting new ones is because all of my old are water keel and basically have to be hand placed. I wld like to have weighted so I can just throw them out. Saves time and sweat and warmth.