Goose decoy question

[Anatidae]

'Received new G&H standard 'speck' shells. 'Not quite sure if I like the apparent 'NEW' design and would appreciate comments from those who have experience with this type 'field shell'.

The new style is a 3/4 shell body with one 3/4" X 3/4" square 'stake hole' in the top of the shell. When you attach the head, the whole decoy balances on this point. Obviously the idea is to allow the wind to 'move' the decoy for more realism....I suscribe to that theory. BUT, I fear 2 things, here.
<UL TYPE=SQUARE><LI>will the shell stay on the stake in a strong wind? (I realize all I have to do is replace the plastic stake with a wooden one and put a large flat washer and a screw thru the hole in the decoy, into the top of the stake)<LI>is this too much stress on the shell, thus leading to cracking of the plastic decoy body at thie point?</UL>

I'm use to the 'OLD' style with 3 holes in the decoy body (reinforced with brass grommets) and a collasable 'T' stake.
'Trouble is, if they've re-designed these shells, will I be able to find some of the old style, in last year's inventories. I'm not particularly interested in 'used' G&H shells unless the price is substantially lower than 'new' ones.

Your comments appreciated.....especially from you hard-core veterans.

[goosebruce]

Never bought or used a G&H buddy, so i cant tell you. But i will tell you, I hate those funky ass metal swing out stakes that come with most shells. 80% of the time, our shells are on the ground, with no stakes cause I hate those things so much.

Bet if they crack, G&H will fix them/replace them. Never heard a bad word bout them swapping stuff out. travis

[Penn]

I'm sure you will figure it out R , as you always have and excel at it at that. Let me know how you did with the teal....up here in NW ARK and NE OK, all we had was darn Mallards and Gads hit the dekes (what a shame huh). Good luck at CP this year....i figger i will make it back there over X mas and stirr em' up on the island again.

Hope u are well.

[Anatidae]

Thanks, Goose....I figured you'd know something 'bout dem thangs. The decoys were a 'gift'.....'only way I can afford those high-dollar shells. [img]images/smiles/icon_wink.gif[/img] My buddies in LA say they throw the factory stakes away and use a wooden 2 x 2" stake and flat washer/wood screw deal, to give 'em some motion and keep'em 'grounded'. 'Last thing you want to be doin' is jumpin' outa the pit every time a good gust comes along, to run-down your decoys. 'Don't do any good to have'em layin' on their sides either, does it? [img]images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img] Thanks for the input.

Penn.....'thought you'd dropped off the face of the earth....glad to hear they got your leg put back together.....what was it, 14 breaks below the knee? That oughta tell you something about them 'crotch rockets'! 'Didin't learna thing did ya?.....Rhett says you bought a 'Harley' (shakin' my head)....... [img]images/smiles/icon_rolleyes.gif[/img] [img]images/smiles/icon_rolleyes.gif[/img]
E-mail me, sometime. [img]images/smiles/icon_wink.gif[/img]