They ride better ,especially in rough water, and look more natural than anyother decoy in the water.
The down size is thier weight and exspense. Mine were
[email protected] when almost the same money bought you a dozen plastic. I bought 4 dozen and in hind sight the best investment I've ever made.
To answer you second question yes, in 38+ years and 7 states I've bagged just about every duck available in the Atlantic Flyway in full mating plumage with the exception of that darn Ruddyduck. I've taken numerous ruddies but a male in full plumage has still eluded me.