Herters heads- where to find?

[Nick Zito]

I have a bunch of herters decoys that I want to repaint. A lot of goldeneyes that I never see much of. Was hoping to turn them into eider or scoter, and was looking for heads. I'm Fairly sure those species could care less if the heads look right, I could probably just paint them the appropriate colors and they'd work just fine, but I am curious where I might find some that arent $8/head

 

[roy brewington]

If your not willing to pay $8 a head your probably out of luck. Even ebay take offs are getting that price and of course new are more.

 

[Huntindave McCann]

I have a bunch of herters decoys that I want to repaint. A lot of goldeneyes that I never see much of. Was hoping to turn them into eider or scoter, and was looking for heads. I'm Fairly sure those species could care less if the heads look right, I could probably just paint them the appropriate colors and they'd work just fine, but I am curious where I might find some that arent $8/head

Where have you been looking? A quick 2 minute search turned up a couple options.

As low as $5.00 per head in bulk unpainted. Wooden Decoy Heads (autumnwings.com)

Starting at $4.00 per head. Replacement Decoy Heads - Lake Effect Decoy Company, LLC (leddecoys.com)

 

[Nick Zito]

Ah yes. I saw LED but didn't see the eider heads. Autumn wings never showed up for me for some reason. $8 seems like a lot to me when they go for $8 used for the whole body! But I guess it's better than $90/4 of the new ones!

Thanks!

 

[Dave Diefenderfer]

Have you looked at Homer heads? Magnums for 72size bodies are $6 each, and Super Mags for 92 size bodies are $8. Like LED, they are solid and indestructible. Herters heads if you can find them are getting more and more brittle, and any pellet hit will chip or break them. I collect all the damaged heads I can find and repair them and sell them for $5 to $8 all the time.

Magnum Heads | (homerdecoys.com)

Super Magnum Heads | (homerdecoys.com)

Bob Romstadt BrDecoys makes a lot of head choices, but they will be foam, and still be $5 or so each. I make some heads, all the 63 heads, and some custom carved that John Bourbon carved, and my material cost per head is $3 to $4.50 depending on size.

 

[Jay K]

Have you looked at Homer heads? Magnums for 72size bodies are $6 each, and Super Mags for 92 size bodies are $8. Like LED, they are solid and indestructible. Herters heads if you can find them are getting more and more brittle, and any pellet hit will chip or break them. I collect all the damaged heads I can find and repair them and sell them for $5 to $8 all the time.

Magnum Heads | (homerdecoys.com)

Super Magnum Heads | (homerdecoys.com)

Bob Romstadt BrDecoys makes a lot of head choices, but they will be foam, and still be $5 or so each. I make some heads, all the 63 heads, and some custom carved that John Bourbon carved, and my material cost per head is $3 to $4.50 depending on size.

+1 for Bob if you don't mind foam, he has almost everything you need. I need Toledo heads for a foam Brant rig and he was my go-to.

 

[Matt C]

Have you looked at Homer heads? Magnums for 72size bodies are $6 each, and Super Mags for 92 size bodies are $8. Like LED, they are solid and indestructible. Herters heads if you can find them are getting more and more brittle, and any pellet hit will chip or break them. I collect all the damaged heads I can find and repair them and sell them for $5 to $8 all the time.

Magnum Heads | (homerdecoys.com)

Super Magnum Heads | (homerdecoys.com)

Bob Romstadt BrDecoys makes a lot of head choices, but they will be foam, and still be $5 or so each. I make some heads, all the 63 heads, and some custom carved that John Bourbon carved, and my material cost per head is $3 to $4.50 depending on size.

If you don't mind me asking, what is your repair process for Herters heads with broken stems?

Thanks!

 

[Dave Diefenderfer]

Matt, I use a stepped drill bit and open the bottom of the head about 1.25" or so depending on the side of the head. Leave a lip of the bottom on place. I then fill the heads with foam. Spray foam or 2 part . Have all your heads ready to save on materials. Once the foam cures, I dremel out about and inch or so of the foam into the head and them mix thickened epoxy to plug the head. Once cured, sanded flush then predrill for you attachment eye screw or bolt. I might have added a thread sometime back on here? If not on my FB page.

Adds very little weight, eliminates the weak post on the decoys and fills them with foam so they won't fill with water.

 

[Matt C]

Thank you Dave. I had been considering filling with spray foam, but I like your idea of creating the cavity afterwards then filling with epoxy. I think I will tackle that project this winter.

Cheers!