Duck Decoys

[bow27]

New to duck hunting and have questions on decoys. Is there a big difference between Flambeau, carry-lite, greenhead etc. Should I just get whats on sale, can I mix brands? can ducks tell the difference? What about the size of decoys?

Thanks ed

[FroMan]

Mixing brands is fine. Some of the more expensive dekes have better paint jobs, but I'm not sure ducks can really tell a whole lot. However they can see the larger decoys (magnums) from further away and I think they can tell the difference in decoy sizes like teal or mallards.

Starting off with an on sale dozen of mallards is what I recommend. That's what I did and I still use them 3 seasons later. Once you're more into it and the funds allow it, you can get better decoys.

[bow27]

Thanks

[Allseasonhunter7]

bow.. your local basspro or cabelas will have decoys called hotbuys they ate 20-30 dollar a dozen decoys and are the some of the best.. the reason they are cheap is because the keels dont detach not that i would want them to but they have one possition heads
the greenhead gear life size have 2 diff positions..

[Allseasonhunter7]

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=MainCatcat20712&id=0020896 225978a&navCount=12&podId=0020896&pare ntId=cat20831&navAction=push&catalogCode=Q S&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat208 31

[bow27]

Thanks Allseason.

Those are the ones I wass looking at.

[bbennett927]

what type water are you going to hunt.water keels are lighter and easier to carry but weighted keels work better for big water.

[Allseasonhunter7]

i would still stick with the hotbuys.. i dont think it is much extra weight but i do recomend the big decoy swivels cabelas sells

[bow27]

I would be hunting the marshes in the bays of Long Island.

[Carpmaster]

Mix brands and sizes by all means!!!! The more variety is better IMO!!