Almost Hate to Paint 'em

[Neighbor_guy]

As some of you know I have spent a lot of time this off season to build a decoy set for Diver Ducks. I repainted a dozen Blue Bills and a handful of random decoys that I turned into RingNeck Decoys. I then purchased a half dozen each of new RingNecks, BuffleHeads, and RedHeads. I decided if I could come up with one more dozen repaints I would be good to go whenever or whatever came up. So I kept an eye out for a deal and stumbled on these guys.

A dozen "Resting Mallards" New in the box!!!!!!

For the price I couldn't pass them up. But brand new, never used, and still wrapped in plastic I almost feel bad painting them. I still plan to as that's what I bought them for and have a puddle duck set that I am happy with. But I feel a little bad doing so. Now I need to decide RingNecks or RedHeads.

[Rick]

LOL, now that is funny.

[Neighbor_guy]

 

Like I said, "almost feel bad".... But in the end no more mallards.

[Rick]

After seeing those pics...not even almost feel bad. Liking em...

[RK]

Those are some good looking ringers. Seems like a lot of guys get the Hot Buys, use them as mallard decoys for a year or two then repaint them as divers. Or, just paint 'em outright like you did.

[Neighbor_guy]

Why do you think that is??? They seemed like a decent decoy. They had nice lines which made the change go nicely  

I just have more need for divers than mallards. So this set got converted. 

[RK]

Why do you think that is??? They seemed like a decent decoy. They had nice lines which made the change go nicely  

I just have more need for divers than mallards. So this set got converted. 

​They're available and relatively cheap - you get a dozen for what you'd normally shell out for a half dozen higher end blocks -  and I think generally a better decoy than what you get for comparable money from other manufacturers. If you're looking at filling out a big spread they're a cheap easy option I guess.

I like the GHG divers a lot - have some ringers and bills. Have thought about getting some foam filled Higdon's but already have divers coming out my ears that just need repainting. Probably going to do some bills and some redheads. 

 

[Neighbor_guy]

I was originally thinking RedHeads on these ones. But after talking to the guy I hunt with and considering the part of the state I will likely be putting them to use went ringer. 

I have some tangle free Redheads and the one experimental on I painted earlier this spring, but in NE Minnesota the redheads aren't there. So considering the areas I hunt it was an easy choice to go ringneck or bluebill instead. 

If if I change to out west I may wish I went red, but my landowner out there has plenty of them to go around. 

[Neighbor_guy]

Such a different game chasing divers than puddle ducks. I'm having fun just planning, painting, and building my spread.

 

The puddle duck bags were wash, pack, and forget.

 

[bemidjibasser]

What paint did you use? They look good, just a little shiny...

[Neighbor_guy]

I use rustolium base coat, acrylic for the rest. 2coats of gloss clear coat for durability, and a final coat of flat clear coat. 

They look shiny because of the lighting in my picture booth. 

[MJ1657]

Looks awesome NG. I at first thought you were completely nuts for painting those nice decoys. Now I only think you're half nuts.

[Neighbor_guy]

I've been called nuts before.  probably won't be the last time either. In this case I will take half. 

[TylerS]

IMHO, those are the only Hot Buys that look worth a darn. Nice going!!

[Neighbor_guy]

Salvaged some magnum sized mallards and painted them up to look like canvasbacks. Big black and white decoys for those late season hunts. 

[MN BassFisher]

Nice paint job!!

[Roosterslayer05]

Whoa!  That's a nice paint job!  When I repaint old decoys I just paint them flat black then put white patches on them.  They look like crap but they work.