What are Rough Rider® decoys made of?
What kind of paint is used?
How big are they?
How much do they weigh?
Aren’t they a little heavy to carry long distances?
Are different head positions available?
What is a Snap-In/Snap-Out™ keel?
What species are Rough Riders® available in?
Why are they more expensive than many popular decoys?
Why should I buy Rough Rider® decoys?

What are Rough Rider^® decoys made of?
Our Rough Rider^® decoys are co-molded from two extremely durable urethane formulations that should not be confused with Styrofoam or any other material previously used in decoy manufacturing.  Because this product is flexible and not affected by extreme temperatures, it will not crack, chip, shatter or snap like more brittle materials.  These materials have been successfully used by the automotive industry for years because of their proven ability to withstand the harshest of environments.  And unlike hollow decoys that can puncture, split and leak, Rough Rider^® decoys are solid and will not absorb water, sink or list.  You’ll never spend off-season time finding and repairing leaks.  In fact, these materials are so tough that our Rough Riders^® are the only decoys guaranteed never to break or sink!  Watch our video to see what we mean!

(broadband only)

What kind of paint is used?
Each decoy begins with a molded-in matte finish that will not reflect light, unlike the plastic used in most decoys, which is smooth and shiny.  We then use a three-step paint process, starting with our special Blackwater adhesion coat primer.  Next, we apply our unique, 4-part urethane detail paints that are UV ray resistant, non-glare, and will not yellow, chalk or discolor from years of exposure.  These paints were also developed to meet the rigid standards of the automotive industry, thus making them resistant to gas, oil, and salt.  Each decoy then receives a special dull coat sealer to further reduce the chance of glare and help protect the detail paint.  A limited warranty covers the paint and coating against loss or fading.

How big are they?
Designed by experienced hunters and award-winning carvers, all of our decoys are slightly “larger than life” in order to be effective in a multitude of hunting environments and situations.  For example, the mallard/black duck is 7" tall, 16½ “ long, and 7½” wide with the high head position.  They are bigger than a typical “standard” and slightly smaller than a typical “magnum”.  While neither too big nor too small, these decoys will add extra realism to an existing rig of magnum or super magnum decoys.  Click here to see sizes for all species.

How much do they weigh?
Rough Rider^® decoys are designed to float and move like real ducks, even in rough wind and water conditions.  That’s why they weigh about the same as a real duck and similar to the cork decoys hunters have so effectively used for years.  For instance, a typical live mallard drake weighs about 2 to 2 ½ lbs.  A Rough Rider^® mallard weighs 2 lbs. without the keel, and 2 ½ lbs. with the keel installed.  The result is a lifelike ride that ducks find irresistible!

Aren’t they a little heavy to carry long distances?
Professional guides suggest you use the most realistic decoys you can afford.  With realistic decoys, the number used can then be reduced and still be effective.  Many experienced guides will tell you that late season, decoy-wary ducks will stool better to smaller spreads.  If you feel it necessary to use large numbers, just add a few Rough Riders^® as your “finisher” decoys in your sweet spot.  Remember, four dozen of the most popular magnum decoys weigh about 72 lbs. and can be very bulky to transport!   Consider replacing quantity with quality.

Are different head positions available?
All of our decoys feature a solid, shatterproof urethane head that rotates 360° and is attached with heavy-duty, rust-resistant hardware.  No plastic tabs to freeze and snap off!  The rotating head allows you to pose your decoys in multiple head positions.  And while they're almost indestructible, they are easily removed if replacement does become necessary, or to accommodate new head positions as they become available.  No need to replace the entire decoy!  Our Mallards are also now available in both hi-head and lo-head positions.

What is a Snap-In/Snap-Out™ keel?
Our versatile, patent pending Snap In/Snap Out™ weighted keel literally transforms your decoy into two different decoys for the price of one.  Designed with a solid flat bottom and molded-in keel slot, our decoys will hunt in a multitude of locations, from open water to fields or ice.  And unlike most weighted keels that use sand for ballast, we use cold rolled steel that is encased in long lasting injection-molded plastic that will not split, crack, or lose its ballast.  Our keels also have a lower center of gravity than most keels on the market which, as any sailor knows, allows for a more stable ride. The keel is designed to provide convenient, tangle-free line storage, and our unique snap-in installation will allow you to use any of the future keel designs we are working on.  Click here to see our keel installation demo.

What species are Rough Riders^® available in?
Rough Rider^® decoys are currently available in all of the following species.  Click each image for a larger view.

Puddle Ducks
Mallard	Black Duck	B/W Teal	G/ W Teal	Gadwall	Pintail	Widgeon

Diver Ducks
Blue Bill	Red Head	Ring Neck	Canvasback

Confidence Decoys

Coot

Why are they more expensive than many popular decoys?
Rough Rider^® decoys do not require the regular replacement or high degree of maintenance that many other decoys do.  They will remain useable for your entire hunting lifetime, your children’s lifetime and possibly your grandchildren’s lifetime.  We designed and manufacture Rough Riders^® from the keel up, utilizing a state-of-the-art molding line and proven materials new to the decoy industry, unlike most decoys on the market that use “off the shelf” technology and materials that have been in use for years:

a)  Materials - Many popular decoys consist of no more than two or three materials.  Rough Rider^® decoys, however, are manufactured using seven separate materials; two types of urethane for the head and body, injection-molded plastic for the keel, galvanized steel for both the keel ballast and the hardware for attaching the movable head, and three types of paint; an adhesion coat, finish colors and a dull sealer.  Therefore, the amount of material that goes into each Rough Rider^® can be measured in dollars, whereas the material costs for many popular decoys can often be measured in pennies.

b)  Molds - Many production decoys incorporate the head, body and keel into a single unit.  In order to create a more versatile decoy, we use three individual molds for the head, body, and keel.  Some manufacturers also use the same body for several different decoys and then create different species by merely changing the paint patterns or heads.  However, every experienced duck hunter knows that the more wary the ducks, the greater the need for a more realistic decoy.  That's why we've recruited some of the best contemporary competition carvers, and avid duck hunters in their own right, to create species-specific, hand-carved masters from which every Rough Rider^® decoy is molded.  We invite you to meet our award-winning carving partners, Mark Costilow, Brooks Ferguson, Jr., Bill Humphreys, and Gary Bryan, shown here at work in his studio.

Why should I buy Rough Rider^® decoys?
There are decoys currently available that cost as much or more than Rough Riders^®, but they are far less realistic and durable, and none of them carries a Limited Lifetime Warranty against breaking and sinking.  Our American-made Rough Rider^® decoys are an investment in quality equipment, similar to your custom shotgun or hand-tuned signature call.  Their realism will increase your odds of a successful hunt, especially when hunting those competitive public hunting areas.  Their durability will provide years of faithful service with little, if any, time spent on off-season maintenance.  In fact, the Rough Riders in the photo below have been in a pond for over 5 years straight surviving sun, ice, and snow and they still look great!

The built-in versatility will allow you to hunt many different locations more efficiently with far less equipment.  Click here to see what renowned call maker and lifelong duck hunter, Eli Haydel, and other experienced hunters have to say about Rough Rider^® decoys.

Discover for yourself the difference Rough Rider^® decoys can make to your hunting success this season.  And don’t think you need to replace your entire spread to reap the benefits of Rough Riders^®.  Do as many professional guides have done; add a six-pak or two in front of your blind or next to your boat, and use your existing decoys for the balance of your spread.  We think you’ll see a difference and your satisfaction is guaranteed!

To place an order through our web site, click here.  You may also place your order by calling our 24-hour toll-free order line at 888-BWDECOY (888-293-3269).