Deekes for cheap

[crackerman]

Is there a best set of first timer dekes out there and is okay to buy used dekes?

Anyone got free deeks

[duckman1]

Your question is kinda like the Chevrolet vs Ford argument. With decoys you somewhat get what you pay for. If you can visit a sporting goods shop that carries several brands and take a close up look. Check them for quality and paint scheme and durability, can the heads be replaced or adjusted? Are they flocked? Fine tune it to how you will use the decoys.


As for buying used, its a great way to buy. Just be sure you're not buying worn out or old decoys.

We buy most of ours from Cabelas due to their warranty and return program.

[lewdogg21]

duckman1 covered it. As a first timer the question I ask is how many times are you going to use them per year and how many are you going to put out. Here's why. If your hunting the refuge and only doing to put out 1-2 dozen out then you can buy more expensive ones. It also depends on budget. My father bought a bunch of G&H oh maybe 15 years ago and this off season he did some touch up paint and man did they look good.

He bought a bunch of those Green head gear mallards this off season and we did a spray paint clear coat in an attempt to keep the paint from flaking off season 1. Unfortunately we lost about 120 -150 dekes due to our blind flooding which were mostly those GHG's and some G&H widgeon decoys.

2nd hand decoys are fine but when I've searched on craigslist guys are selling worn out decoys in poor condition for more $ than you can buy new. If you want your decoys to last don't shoot cripples in the decoys. I smoked way too many when in college and now I realize I ruining $15 decoys.

As far as species, we really like Sprig on the ends/points of our spreads in the rice. The white head and butt really stand out from a long ways away. When your watching a ball of ducks on the water the white is visible from a long ways out.

Sorry if this is rambling a bit, I'm watching a fishing show on TV and on my first cup of coffee.

So how many dekes do you think your going to buy and what type of hunting?

[crackerman]

Sorry if this is rambling a bit, I'm watching a fishing show on TV and on my first cup of coffee.

So how many dekes do you think your going to buy and what type of hunting?

Lew dog not rambling at all, I am a chemist and research the hell out of everything so all info is helpful.

Budget is pretty important, since I need new waders etc.

As far as hunting I will probably try to go 8 or 9 times next season, BIL works at Wister, inlaws live in Hemet so San Jacinto is an easy trip. I will probably use the deeks when I hunt SJ myself so with all my reading I figure I would want 6 Mallards since they are the standard and then fill out the other 6 with a feeder deek, and some other species. 12 seems like the good starter number especially when you have to set every time.

Does this sound like a plan?

[duckman1]

For most of your walk on hunting opportunity you don't want to carry more the 1-2 doz. It can really load you down with the other gear you will be carrying. Your mix sounds about right try and match it to the types of ducks in the area you are hunting. You'll need a good decoy bag buy one that will last and is durable, nothing worse than having having your bag fail in the field.

[lewdogg21]

Nothing like having 1-2 dozen dekes on your back and then you enter a marsh and sink in.

Dman is right. I've found that the good decoy bags are more durable and more comfortable since carrying decoys isn't comfortable with all of the sharp angled butts and beaks digging into your back.

Your plan sounds good auxcoastie.

[edgerly779]

I use double newspaper delivery bags that you used to see on delivery people comfortable can slip gun thru fron t straps distibutes weight evenly on shoulders.Keeps hands free.

[da crab]

Where do u live, I might have some free dekes , pm me