Find a complete selection of top brand duck decoys at discount prices. If you are unsure of what duck decoys you need be sure to read our duck decoy selection guide below. Decoy Anchors and Decoy Bags
 Greenhead Gear Decoys |
 G&H Duck Decoys |
 Biggoot Duck Decoys |
 Motion Duck Decoys |
 Carry-Lite Decoys |
 Flambeau Decoys |
Decoys come in three sizes: Lifesize(standard), Over-Sized (magnums), and Super Magnums. The biggest differences between these decoys is of course visibiliy, weight, and cost. Unless I have to pack in decoys a long distance magnum decoys are my top choice. When it comes right down to it, the purpose of using duck decoys is to attract distant ducks, and then pull them into shotgun range. But if the ducks can't see your decoys from a distance then your decoys aren't going to do much for you. This is my reasoning for using magnum and super magnum sized decoys.
With movement being a key element in any successful spread water keels still have their place on days with light winds. A water keel decoy will move in the slightest of breezes. Water keels are also the lightest option for walk-in hunters and offer the greatest degree of mobility. The disadvantages are that on windy days they bob unrealistically on the water and do not self-upright in the water when tossed.
The benefits of a weighted keel include the decoys ability to self-right when tossed in the water and the decoy can ride the water the better in high winds without rolling. On the other hand carrying a bag full of weighted keel decoys on your back is much heavier in comparison to water keel decoys.
Two alternatives exist to hunt with the best floating decoy for the situation at hand. Either purchase water and weighted keel decoys, or buy all floaters and convert the keels back and forth as needed.
Many new duck hunters ask the question what specie of duck decoys should I buy? Ducks decoy best to the decoys of the same specie they are. When hunting mallards you need to use mallard decoys. If you are hunting bluebills you will want to use bluebill decoys. Even with a 100 decoys out being mallards, pintail, and wood ducks, I have observed wood ducks consistently landing with the wood duck decoys and the mallards with the mallard decoys.
From my experience hunting ducks over full body and shells on motion stakes in grain fields and along sand bars on rivers I have never observed a noticeable difference in performance between these two type of decoys. A big difference between the two styles is mobility and storage as shells are stackable. Without a doubt it is far easier to carry on foot or in a boat more shell decoys than full body decoys. Shells also take a lot less room when storing during the off-season. When using shell decoys I highly recommend using stakes as this really increases the visibility of the decoy to distant ducks and makes the decoy look more realistic.
Many years ago the first decoys were made from wood, then came along cork decoys. Both wood and cork hold paint very well, but both materials are very heavy and do not take very much abuse. Herter's introduced foam duck decoys with plastic heads with the benefits of being light and unsinkable. The draw back of foam is that it also does not hand abuse very well and does not hold paint very well. Plastic has become the mainstay material of modern duck decoys. Plastic is lightweight, holds paint well, is very durable, and in-expensive when compared to other materials. In summary for the majority of hunting situations I would recommend plastic duck decoys.