[98ramtough]

Today I got 6 life size wood duck decoys from GHG with the snaplock keels. What a joke. The first one went in with a little gentle love from a 2x4. The second one would not even start, the plastic on the decoy had moved in tight so it would not even start to go in. It is pretty cold here, in the 20s so I thought maybe if I used a hairdrier it would soften up and go in.

Well after an hour, a hammer, a 2x4, a heat gun and a VISE I was able to put the snaplock in a vise, and slam the decoy into it nothing short of completely putting all of my 280lb self on it. This is the last GHG product I think I will buy period. I think I will rip the GHG logo off my shotshell belt, I don't want to advertise at all for them. I guess the positive note is at least they probably won't fall off like some said? I think I will throw some glue in just to be sure.

KSwaterfowler and I were talking about GHGs second rate products today and I said I don't think I will ever buy anymore snaplock products, well after this mess today I am done with GHG. KS- you are the man. I wish we would have had that chat last week. Typical products for China craftsmanship. I guess I really shouldn't complain, how good can a 12 year old really work right?

Ok, there is my rant. My advise, save your money and buy G&H or some other decoy that you can pull out of the box and use. Not haved to waste your time, blood and sweat over. If these decoys give me any trouble tomorrow I will post a close up of a bunch of GHG decoys getting sacrificed....

 

[NS39340]

wow, really? i cant believe that today i put on a half dozen wiegon and blue wing teal and they went on great, in fact i just hunt over only GHG dekes. that sucks i thought they never had any problems

 

[donell67]

i here nothing but problems with them. they have been around a few years so they shoulda fixed the problems by now. why people keep buying them is beyond me.

 

[InTheDecoys]

I have had NOTHING but success with GHG. Great looking decoy and great paint. I have no problem putting the keels in. Just my 02.

 

[98ramtough]

i here nothing but problems with them. they have been around a few years so they shoulda fixed the problems by now. why people keep buying them is beyond me.

Thanks man.... haha Yeah no more GHG for me.

 

[quackkiller]

I love GHG decoys and hunting gear. NEVER had a problem with any of my GHG or Avery stuff. My decoys look awesome and have had no paint problems. They have excellent customer service. You should give em a call and see if they can help you. Why waist all that time and energy when you could possibly get them replaced? Just my opinion.

 

[ks_waterfowler]

I love GHG decoys and hunting gear. NEVER had a problem with any of my GHG or Avery stuff. My decoys look awesome and have had no paint problems. They have excellent customer service. You should give em a call and see if they can help you. Why waist all that time and energy when you could possibly get them replaced? Just my opinion.

I have some lifesized mallards that didn't last 8 trips. Lots of paint missing. When I told GHG the problem they told me to screw off and take better care of my equipment. My buddy has a dozen that did the same thing. THe hotbuys are the best decoy for the money on the market today. After that, G&H are the best.

Why the heck do you put snaplock keels on Wood duck and bluebill decoys? So you can use them in the field? Avery is so full of themselves. There Prostaffers that I have ran into are all jerks with the exception of one. They think that they are god and everyone should worship them. I told them what I thought of the shoddy worksmanship and they told me to ask Santa how to hunt. Then they proceeded to attack me and rip down my credibility piece by piece (on the Avery message boards). They made the wrong comments to trip my trigger is all I will say about that. I made no attacks personally on them, but the made attacks on me. How classy is that?

My Power Hunter also went back. Worst $150 mistake I ever made. I am spending the extra money and getting a real blind made by a good company, Final Approach. If you are thinking about getting a power hunter just buy a camo sleeping bag and spend $10 to make you a little flip top. Same thing.

As you can tell I have a strong dislike for Avery now. I liked their products until I got them and actually used them. They are made for the weekend waterfowler, not somebody who spends 5-6 days a week in the field.

By the way, I cannot speak for their goose decoys since I have never used them. I am sticking with my foots after what Avery did to me.

 

[donell67]

other forums have literally hundreds of complaints about them and only a very few diehard ghg guys.

 

[texan68]

I agree, snaplock keels on bluebills......come on. After seeing all the dislike towards avery, I wouldn't be surprised to see them go under in the years to come. Why would anyone buy them you ask...the price, you can't beat it. Most guys look at the decoys, and think they look pretty good and they do, don't get me wrong, the decoys are the most detailed deks on the market, but when you put them through REAL hunting conditions, the deks give in. Here it is......NO MORE GHG FOR ME!!!!!

 

[Hunten E Guy]

my ghg are great, i have no complaints, keels go in real easy for me too

 

[InTheDecoys]

The reason for the snaplock keels is to save the consumer money on shipping costs. I'm sure some people here would pay the extra money to get a permanent one though.

 

[ks_waterfowler]

Talked to a Sporting GOods store owner when I was in another town taking my EMT boards (will remain nameless so no reprocussions on his part). He said they will no longer carry Avery Products. He said they don't really give a damn. They think they are god and don't mess with them. Kinda echos everyone elses sentiments. Oh yeah, there were about 2000 BIG canadas feeding in the milo field behind the store. I wanted to get a pic of them flying over the store since it is like a mini cabelas. Didn't feel like getting hit by traffic though. Would've been an awesome pic.

 

[Swamp Puppy]

98Ram - I too have had similar problems with all of my GHG dekes. Currently i have in my bag: 1dzn hotbuy mallards, 1 dzn lifesize mallards, and i dzn widgeon (2 six packs). with the exception of the hotbuys which come with the keels attached, i have had to fight with each and every one and in most cases utilizing most of the tools in my garage to put them dang keels on.

Now, having said that. i still don't regret my purchase. The extra 30 to 45 minutes spent attaching the keels still puts me far ahead of the game when compared to spending 80 bucks for a dzn G&H. I will not argue that G&H builds a superior product in terms of ease of use nor durability. But you just can't beat a dzn GHG's for 30 bucks.

btw...i also share the opinion that avery staffers are a bunch of over opinionated, self absorbed A-holes.

 

[ks_waterfowler]

98Ram - I too have had similar problems with all of my GHG dekes. Currently i have in my bag: 1dzn hotbuy mallards, 1 dzn lifesize mallards, and i dzn widgeon (2 six packs). with the exception of the hotbuys which come with the keels attached, i have had to fight with each and every one and in most cases utilizing most of the tools in my garage to put them dang keels on.

Now, having said that. i still don't regret my purchase. The extra 30 to 45 minutes spent attaching the keels still puts me far ahead of the game when compared to spending 80 bucks for a dzn G&H. I will not argue that G&H builds a superior product in terms of ease of use nor durability. But you just can't beat a dzn GHG's for 30 bucks.

btw...i also share the opinion that avery staffers are a bunch of over opinionated, self absorbed A-holes.

I agree with price, but it is gonna cost you more in the long run. All of my GHG lifesizes will have to be reapinted after this year (didn't make it through half a season). That is another $30 at least. You are up to $60, not to mention my time I have to spend painting decoys and what not. Pretty soon I am up to $80. Kinda depends on how you look at it. That is they way I look at it.

 

[98ramtough]

When you say $30, you cannot get a dozen lifesize for $30. The hotbuys are a good value decoy. mine have held up well. So far I have not had any more problems with the life size decoys after putting the keels on. I have only hunted them twice though.

I think there is about two dozen G&H supermags calling my name....

 

[Mallyard]

My GHG have served me well, never had any problems what so ever.... But whatever floats your boat I guess. My spread is allmost all GHG now, never had a problem yet like I said. My keels where not easy going in, but once in they don't come back out. I've left a few with out keels for field or ice situations.... but I for GHG.

Decoys are allmost like vehicles everyone has there own opinion!
happy hunting...

Mallyard

 

[98ramtough]

If decoys were like vehicles I would still be walking down the highway with a GHG vehicle!

 

[ks_waterfowler]

If they were like vehicles, then my 2004 truck would have no paint and be up on blocks in the front yards cause it is useless unless I sink more money into them then they are worth.

 

[quackkiller]

I'm with Mallyard. I have had no problems with mine and I am hopefully going to have my whole spread GHG in the future. It's just a matter of personal preference. Just like duck calls, we could all sit here and argue for the rest of our lives about what the best duck call is and never accomplish anything. It's the same with guns, boats, whatever it is. It's just a matter of your own opinion. Some hate GHG and some swear by it. It's unfortunate that you guys have had problems with GHG, but that's life and not everything can be perfect. Just my .02 cents. :salude:

 

[ks_waterfowler]

you interested in some? PM me and maybe we can work something out.