What is great about GHG?

[early007]

I'm researching decoys a little bit. I'm a novice and just getting started in goose hunting. In my area they don't have much of a selection so I haven't been able to put my hands on any GHGs. Can you tell me what you guys like about the GHG product? Bases, finish, durability, storage, etc. I am also looking at Bigfoot, and Dakotas. Thanks.

Jason

[imaduckin up north]

I think ghg has great detail at an affordable price but they do have some paint issues. You have to bag them.

[goosechaser125]

JUST 8 words, Buy Bigfoots you will have then for decades!

[brentbullets]

Nothing is great about GHG. Buy Dakota's.

[deano686kx]

Brand questions always seem to
I usualy stay clear of responding to general brand posts. But gotta add my O2 here. I have a hard time with responces that bash the crap out of every type of decoy but the one that hunter uses.
Heres my deal, I hunt a mixed spread, primarily GHG's but do have som BF's. To be honest, my BF's that are now on their 3rd year, are haveing slightly worse paint issuses than my GHG's that have seen the same use. The same decoys are also having major head issues. I do like the realism and size of the BF's, and the new softer plastic is a huge plus. The detail in the newer soft plastic BF's is amazing, and it seems that the paint will bond to the newer surfaces much better, but storage is a major problem with me unless you like assembling/disassembling decoys every time you go to the field.
My GHG's are worn a bit, and some heads that are loosening up, but won't fall out. Storage and set up is much easier than the BF's, and without a fixed base like the BF's, I have the added effect of some motion in the spread. They all have their good and bad points, and I'll take all of them to the field.
I kill limits over my spread fairly costantly, sometimes 5 and 6 man limits. Where we hunt, thats 25-30 birds stacked up....to say that theres nothing good about GHG's.....I think thats taking it a bit too far.
THATS MY O2

[deano686kx]

Had to add a pic of a 5 man limit tha was killed in 1/1/2 hours over my GHG's

[brentbullets]

Great shoot.

But good and great are different.

[bradcrisco]

With my vast experience (all of about 1 1/2 years) I'll add my two cents as well. My spread is still fairly small(dozen PG GHG shells, 6 PG feeders, 2 Hunterseries actives and 2 feeders, and a couple of Bigfeet borrowed from a friend) but adequate for me, plus its hard to get a large spread into my Explorer. I've started with GHGs but have incurred a few paint issues, even while bagging. (If you opt for this route, keep any receipts. Customer service has a few issues, as far as I'm concerned). I have hunted over Bigfeet with another guy, and if I had the storage, I'd start weaning out my GHGs for the Bigfeet( no motion, though). I just picked up a 4 pack of Dakota active x-treme honkers, and without using them yet, they seem to be the cat's meow. Advertised as durable (base color is brown to help hide scratches, scuff, etc), bigger than my GHGs, yet a little smaller than Bigfeet, cheaper than Bigfeet, at least where I got mine ($100) and have motion. I'll have to see how they hold up the rest of this season but I may end up selling off my GHGs and going with Dakotas as well as adding some Bigfeet down the road. Rogers Sporting Goods is a good place to order from, Gander Mountain free shipping with a small upcharge for large items, but nothing near the shipping cost of Cabelas. Good luck!

[cashman]

When i look at decoys I'm looking at realism, cost, motion, durability, paint, storage, and shine but not necessarily in that order. Ghg wouldnt be the top in any of those categories for me, but near the top in most. I don't think ghg takes the cake in any one category but they are just a solid all around decoy and I've killed lots of birds over them. Are they the best? That's subjective, but everyone should agree they are effective!

[BenelliSBE2]

When i look at decoys I'm looking at realism, cost, motion, durability, paint, storage, and shine but not necessarily in that order. Ghg wouldnt be the top in any of those categories for me, but near the top in most. I don't think ghg takes the cake in any one category but they are just a solid all around decoy and I've killed lots of birds over them. Are they the best? That's subjective, but everyone should agree they are effective!

Very well said, I agree. GHG's are a very decent decoy for the money. Sure theres better more expensive ones out there but like cashman said, Ive killed plenty of birds over GHG decoys.

[early007]

Thanks for the info guys. How bout set up and take down? How are the GHG bases? Do you like them? I've really only used bigfoots and FA, and I wasn't too impressed with the FA brand as far as the base was concerned.

Jason

[Lonegoose]

Ghg ring bases are too small. They blow over too easily. If they make them wider and heavier they will work fine...

[Doubletap]

What is great about GHG, watching the paint fall off or watching the fully flocked turn green


If you want decoys that will work and last, get big foots


I use all real geese and Dave Smiths, why, because I think they are the best

[deano686kx]

I never use the ring basis because of the fact that they do blow over. They have been in my shop since they were delivered over 2 years ago. I always use the stakes. When the ground gets frozen, I take a chordless drill and a 3/8x 14 drill bit.....works the nuts. Sounds like a pain, but it realy doesn't add any time to set up at all.

[kfish]

Anyone can get a 5 man limit with ghg decoys and a handful of peanuts at the public zoo. In the wild you would need a couple dozen BIG FOOTs

[deano686kx]

[attachment=0]5 man limit 1.jpg[/attachment][quote="kfish"]Anyone can get a 5 man limit with ghg decoys and a handful of peanuts at the public zoo. In the wild you would need a couple dozen BIG FOOTs [/quote]

I'll tell ya what....if and when I ever get a chance to hunt the public zoo......I'll be sure to send you an invite. A little inside info.....the last two 5 man limits we've shot over my POS GHG's have been back to back days hunting traffic.......I also left the peanuts home.....But I'm sure it had something to do with the 4 BF's I had mixed in with over 5 dozen GHG's

[deano686kx]

And just to point out....the second limit was hunting traffic on a blue bird day.......just sayin'

[kfish]

Just jerking chains, if you want to see a real mess go to decoy trailers and look at my post. I use them all, killed my first Canada in 1972 so I have seen a few decoys come & go. First time I went hunting geese I was 16 and I figured out later why they wanted us boys to go. That was because the neighbor had tires cut in half with wood heads. Good lord they were heavy.

[fisherhunter460]

My opinion, I love to give it. I hate GHGs, but have 4 dozen shells and full bodies. They kill geese. Been using them for 5 years. And I buy all lessers because my dad hauls all our gear in the back of a For Explorer. I bought 6 Dakota Lessers and guess what, the paint is coming off. Who would have guessed? My borhter has a dozen BigFoots and they are a pain in the arse when it comes to packing them in and out of fields and finding a place to store them. Can't afford a trailer. In my book, decoys are all the same POS decoys. Its just the question on how muc you want to spend. The only decoys you will have less issues with paint and storage are silhouettes. The only good silhouette on the markey right now is Real Geese Pro Series I or 2. Of course this is my opinion.

[speckleberry]

Killed a lot o' specks over GHG's, but they do require a little babyin'. Would assume they all do. Have had some turn some strange colors, but I'd buy 'em again, except for the flocked ones. Would never buy another flocked decoy. They're intended for someone who offers them a bit more care than me. If they ever make a bullet-proof decoy, count me in.