New to duck hunting ..What decoy's should I purchase?

[ttown]

I am going to start this year and we are getting close.  My pup is ready.. not sure if I am ready.   I was wondering what type of decoy's I should purchase?  How many, type etc do you recommend?   Is it worth getting them used or?

[Prime Time]

My decoy of choice has always been Greenhead Gear. How many and species mostly depends on what species you'll be after and how big of water you'll be hunting. 

[ttown]

We are just planning a few trips to potholes..   

[snowshoes22]

I have no complaints with any of my Avery Greenhead gear dekes.  The pro grade are awesome.  What are you hunting for? Dabblers or divers?  I can give you a hundred different answers to the amount.  It all depends on where you hunt and the time of year.  Start out with what you can afford.  1 or 2 dozen mallards would get you started maybe with a half dozen teal or wigeon mixed in.  If you are hunting divers goldeneyes, bluebills and buffle heads with bring them in like magnets. 

[Glockster]

The area you're hunting will determine how many and what type to get.  You say you're hunting Potholes....are you planning on hiking in to the small waters or taking a boat and slugging it out with the masses??

Also, as the season progresses, your decoy sets should change.  For example in the beginning of the season, there are teal, widgeon, Pintails, mallards etc etc.  Later in the season it's mostly mallards with some teal and gadwals. 

I would recommend getting 6 teal decoys for the opener and finding some out of the way waters that you can hike in to.   Set up a jerk cord where you can make the deeks move.  Don't call.  Spend alot of time making a great blind to hide you and your dog.  Wear face paint or a face mask.  You will kill ducks. 

[ttown]

So something like this..?  Also does anyone have experience with the people at Duck Taxi over there?  I guess they set everything up and drop you off?

[johnnyaustin44]

Those are blue wings. you want green wings.

[Glockster]

You want the greenwings and you want to put out mostly hens (because most of them are not colored  up by opening day).  Basically you want to emulate what the real ducks show you.  The ducks will show you how and where to hunt. 
 

You should go with the Duck Taxi fully guided or any other public land guide, just spring for the $'s and go fully guided.  ~You'll cut about 5yrs off your learning curve in one day.

Joining Washington Waterfowl Association is also a great way to network and learn some tricks.  Good luck, welcome to the addiction known as duck hunting and I hope you have a great season!

[duckkillerclyde]

G&H are a few dollars more, just as effective and the keels don't break on them.

Most importantly, they are MADE IN THE USA.

[Sneaky]

G&H makes an effective decoy that would be good for the beginning duck hunter. Have shot many ducks over m4sw decoys!

As far as how many you need, I have found that the higher quality decoy, the less you actually need to kill ducks. For example, I would normally run 1-2doz m4sw decoys whereas last season I ran 10 higher quality flocked decoys and had good success the entire season. Its nice to have less to pack with you.  Also, as mentioned above, set up a jerk cord to put some motion in your decoys and focus on hiding really, really well.

[h2ofowlr]

G&H makes a great decoy as mentioned.  Still made in USA. Get two dozen and go from there.  No need just to use hens as the birds will still come in, if present.  Add movement to the spread and look at getting a wigeon whistle and learn how to use it.

[Special T]

I think that GHG hot buys with some flat Krylon flat clear spryed over the top is hard to beat for the best bang for the buck.  Especially starting out. You can always add more to that base to adapt to where you hunt by adding more teal widgen, scaup, Pintail Etc depending on what is common to where you hunt... I think there are better decoys out there, but decoys do not do it all for you...
LOCATION, conecealment and presentation are the 3 things necessary to kill birds and it is heavily weighted on Location... Being where the birds want to be...

[Curly]

These are pricey (too much $ for me) but they do seem nice:  Link

[Glockster]

Listen to Special T....the guy's giving you golden advice.

When you're on the "X" and are well hidden, you will kill birds.  Scouting.

Good luck!

[brocka]

I think the GHG Hotbuys are perfect for starting out as well. Also I couldn't agree more on doing a guided hunt for your first duck hunt. Especially on the potholes. The guys at Mardon have alot of knowledge. You wont be disappointed!