Goose Decoys

[fishhound2013]

I am wanting to get into goose hunting and need some info on goose decoys as far as what kinds and how many and things like that.

Thanks for the help!

[walleyeking19]

This should be a good one! First, are you looking to hunt fields or water? Water decoys are cheaper for the most part and can be used in both scenarios.

I have a couple dozen GHG fullbodies and I like them. The paint on them lasts and I've shot many birds over them. Of course you can spend lots more on decoys, but I dont see the point.

Flocked heads are another thing to consider. In the past people didnt have them and still shot geese, but I wont buy a goose without it now. Hope this helps!

[dan z]

You get what you pay for, get some high end decoys to entice them wary birds and use mediocre ones for fillers. I like big foots and GHG leaders. Flocked heads are a plus and lessers don't take up much space but are great decoys.

[Kyle]

Higdon, tanglefree, avery. All good decoys and there is some price variation. I just saw Fleet had 6 full body tanglefrees for 109.99 last week. Higdon's are very durable decoys, as well as the avery's.

Stay away from fully flocked decoys. The flocking starts coming off almost immediately.(dakotas)

Just my opinion

[hunter322]

if you want to get into it cheap id go for the real geese sillouete decoys. not as nice as the full bodys with the flocked heads but doesnt hurt the pocket book as much. its all my budy and i use. we have like 4 or 5 dozen and you can get em brand new for like 40 or 50 a dozen.

[Huntin&Fishin]

Do not get Tanglefree, they are very cheaply made and youll be luck if they last you a season. But they do have a lowwer end line of decoys and an upper line of decoys, I'm refering to the lower end stuff.

[Shane Z]

For me I run 9 doz. FFDs and 3 doz FB mallards in my spread. For someone just starting out I would suggesting looking into Dakota Decoy Lessers with the EVA plastic. Virtually unbreakable and will hold up in any situation you put them in. Also they are a bit easier to transport being as they are lessers and they are also a little easier on the wallet!

[Kettle]

if you want to get into it cheap id go for the real geese sillouete decoys. not as nice as the full bodys with the flocked heads but doesnt hurt the pocket book as much. its all my budy and i use. we have like 4 or 5 dozen and you can get em brand new for like 40 or 50 a dozen.

Where are you getting silhouettes for 40-50 dollars a dozen....

[walleyeking19]

Where are you getting silhouettes for 40-50 dollars a dozen....

On the list of craig you can get some for that price. but not too often. New they are a lot more

[fishuhalik]

Before you guys correct me, I know you get what you pay for, but a lotta guys will only get out a couple times a year and can't/dont want to spend $300+/doz for dekes. This weekend I had 2 doz cheap G&H ($135/doz) shells & 1/2 doz old, worn full bodies and every bird we saw came into our spread, wings locked with no hesitation or circling. I think being where the birds wanna be is 90% of the battle, & knowing how to work a call really helps too. Find a hot field & as long as your decoys don't look terrible, they'll come in

[CANOPY SAM]

You're right fishuhalik, that, and be exceptionally well concealed.

I couldn't agree more. For someone just starting out I would strongly encourage you to look around for someone selling their used decoys. A couple three dozen old goose shells, a half dozen old rag/flag/wind socks, and throw out a couple dozen old duck decoys, and you'll have birds coming in for a look.

Just starting out in this sport now you could easily drop $10 grand on new decoys, gun, shells, camo clothes, laydown blinds, calls, blind bags, etc., etc..

Start out slow, find some lightly used stuff, get a decent call and a good calling tutorial and practice a lot. Spend some time in the field and learn the game before you get in too deep. It's an addiction, but not for everyone. It's also a LOT of work in sometimes really miserable conditions, and you don't want to dive in with both feet till you know this is something you truly want to commit too.

Good luck my friend. Lets hope we get a great flight this year!

[erikwells]

I personally bought a dozen Flambeau shell decoys (109.00 at Mels in Spicer) and a $15.00 flextone call and my brother and I shot 18 geese during the early season. I am not a great caller but use it sparingly and called in maybe 8-10 flocks of birds anywhere from 4 - 30. We did conceal well in the corn and called the attention away from us by setting up for crossing shots. I think the early birds can be pretty uneducated but we did well for a couple of dummies who hadn't goose hunted in almost 20 years. I say its all about location and concealment because we put out a small spread and the guy calling was less than talented for sure. I now have 2 doz shells but have not hunted out over more than a dozen yet this year. Later in the season with the large flocks is when the numbers are much more meaningful. All a guy needs is a chip and a chair, you got to be in the game to win. Now it's time for us to see what we can do this archery deer season. Get out there and give it a try. Good luck.

[otterman91105]

My favorite decoy to hunt over is the avian x FFD. But to spend the kind of money they want for them you would want to hunt a lot. GHG makes a nice decoy hunted over them for years. Just depends on how much you hunt.