Buy new duck decoys or fix old ones

[Keep on]

I've killed birds over painted plastic jugs, find good cover, don't move when they are passing, and don't look straight up when they are on a pass. That will kill a lot more birds than flocked dekes. My .02

 

[blackbeard]

I also wouldn't hesitate to buy used decoys. I'd also give Dakota Decoy a look, good smallish town SD company.

 

[AlaskaHunter]

I repair my dekes that have shot holes using plastic welding via a soldering iron.
For really old dekes, I paint them black and white for maximum visibility and they work well.
These were originally mallard decoys, over 30 years old.

 

[OntarioHunter]

I repair my dekes that have shot holes using plastic welding via a soldering iron.
For really old dekes, I paint them black and white for maximum visibility and they work well.
These were originally mallard decoys, over 30 years old.
View attachment 231859

Flexible epoxy for repairing auto bumpers also works great. Backed with fiberglass cloth, I have used it to patch cracks or shot holes on back side of my shell decoys. It will dry shiny black. Can be dulled by pressing on it with finger before completely hard or by roughing patch up with sandpaper and then painting.

 

[brocksw]

You talking about the lucky duck swimmer?
I have seen where they just redesigned them, but the old style were nothing but trouble for me

no the spinning wing decoys.

 

[brownbear932008]

Don't over think it people these days just gotta keep up with the Jone's old decoys will work.

 

[Irrelevant]

So. I'm bring this one back to life a bit. I just went out waterfowling again, and was stuck using someone else's shitty dekes. I didn't like it, and while we killed some birds, I feel like we should have killed a lot more. So what dekes should I buy? I only want enough to pack on my back, so like 1-2 dozen (probably just one dozen then add 2 goose floaters).

 

[Nick87]

If I was only going to worry about carrying a dozen then go fully flocked and buy a jerk rig

 

[Irrelevant]

If I was only going to worry shout carrying a dozen then go fully flocked and buy a jerk rig

HydroFoam Flocked Mallards - Light as a Feather, Lasts Forever

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???

 

[Jamen]

GHG, Divebomb, or Dakota decoys all make good ones

 

[Nick87]

Not familiar with those, look good. they are pretty pricey however they seem to be super lightweight which would be huge. I was thinking something like these. If you do try them I'd be curious to hear how you like them.

Pro-Grade Fully Flocked Mallard Actives, 6 pack

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[huntingman121]

In the 70s my mom was a yard seller and I had a hodgepodge set of decoys. They were plastic, rubber, cork, you name it. My mom had a rule never spend over a quarter on a decoy. They killed ducks.

That said I have a lot of money in goose decoys but not that much in duck decoys. I have probably 3 dozen newer duck decoys and if I lost them I would buy new. The used decoys I have seen on Craigslist or Facebook aren’t a great deal. Often almost as much as new.

Depends on your budget but I would try to get flocked but it’s not a deal breaker if you can’t afford them. I have over a hundred goose decoys and 6 of them are fully flocked. Over the years I have had around 12 eagles hit my goose decoys. Every time it’s a flock one. I think they all have talon scratches on them. So birds can see a difference.

Also if you buy new get some skimmers. If you put out a couple dozen mallards all with their heads up it’s not natural at all. Skimmers add realism to your spread. Good luck and have fun.

 

[TheReaper8899]

I’d keep the old decoys for earlier on in the season just to have numbers on your side, but later in the season use the newer decoys when birds are more pressured.

If you decide to use the old decoys in your spread great, if not, no harm in just having them.

 

[Nick87]

I’d keep the old decoys for earlier on in the season just to have numbers on your side, but later in the season use the newer decoys when birds are more pressured.

 

[snowmaker joe]

i'd use the old and enjoy them for having been on many hunts, its where you put the decoy spread, not how much they cost.

 

[Irrelevant]

Not familiar with those, look good. they are pretty pricey however they seem to be super lightweight which would be huge. I was thinking something like these. If you do try them I'd be curious to hear how you like them.

I finally bought some and talk about underwhelming. Paint job is C-, and the shape is an F for about 1/2 of the dozen. Droopy bills from shipping that won't straighten. I also got the Texas rigs for them, and talk about a PITA if you need to haul them in a pack.

Maybe I'll figure out the rigging better, and maybe they'll last forever, but serious buyers remorse after the first day.

 

[SilentBirdHunter]

I spray paint my old decoys black and use them along the shore with brighter,
newer decoys out away from the shoreline.

For really old decoys that are not worth repairing, I cut off the keel and
use them as "shell" decoys on mudflats and gravel bars.

 

[Nick87]

I finally bought some and talk about underwhelming. Paint job is C-, and the shape is an F for about 1/2 of the dozen. Droopy bills from shipping that won't straighten. I also got the Texas rigs for them, and talk about a PITA if you need to haul them in a pack.

Maybe I'll figure out the rigging better, and maybe they'll last forever, but serious buyers remorse after the first day.

With the stupid prices of shit these days I buy my decoys used. Still kill ducks. Try tying the rigging into a circle or two. It'll keep them from tangling as much.

 

[Irrelevant]

With the stupid prices of shit these days I buy my decoys used. Still kill ducks. Try tying the rigging into a circle or two. It'll keep them from tangling as much.

Attached to the dekes or unclip them first?

Used dekes aren't much of a think out here, just not enough guys that into it to be selling decent stuff.

I spray paint my old decoys black and use them along the shore with brighter,
newer decoys out away from the shoreline.

For really old decoys that are not worth repairing, I cut off the keel and
use them as "shell" decoys on mudflats and gravel bars.

I generally keep painting mine until they become brittle, not much you can do with them at that point.

 

[Nick87]

Attached to the dekes or unclip them first?

Used dekes aren't much of a think out here, just not enough guys that into it to be selling decent stuff.

I generally keep painting mine until they become brittle, not much you can do with them at that point.

Either way would be fine, unclipped would be easier but more time consuming I suppose.