@KurtR
What do you like better, the divebombs or the sillosocks?
I feel like they both have strong points but most of my experience is with sillosocks.
https://skyflydecoys.com/assembled-snow-goose-windsock-decoy.html
^$36/dz
You have to think about storage and transport also. In the space that one can store 4dz floaters, you can probably store 40dz socks.
I've been down the "make your own decoys" road.
It never turns out like you imagine...
I have had good hunts over a couple hundred socks or full bodies. You really need to be around 500 minimum.
In anything other than the perfect set of conditions, four dozen is not enough.
Are you talking about mixing the floaters on land?
If so, just buy more socks or silhouettes.
Floaters for snows turn into a lot of work. If you have a permanent spread spot, maybe.
Don't bother.
Unless you were going to do hundreds of them or buy a bunch (dozens at least) of regular snow floaters and wanted to add some fillers.
A couple of dozen isn't going to be worth the time/effort/any expense.
As a whole, I feel like I haven't had a very good year in 2024. Mostly, it's all been related to a general feeling of burnout in my work life. Unfortunately, that rippled through a lot of the rest of my life.
On the bright side, looking back my year in the outdoors has been very good. Bright...
I wouldn't get anything I actually want if I didn't buy it for myself.
This was the year of new optics for me. Spotter, rangefinder, binoculars, rifle scope.
Most recently, I snagged the Maven scope everyone loves. I still need to find a new rifle to put it on...
I have never noticed a difference in the density of their actual hide from beginning of September to end of November. Hair length and density certainly increases from late summer to early winter.
Elk neck hide is pretty tough stuff anyway.
I have also never measured it and can't imagine...
You never know when you might need four jerry cans, six recovery boards, a shovel, axe, pulaski, and roof tent on your skeleton topper thing. Definitely don't forget the exhaust snorkel, buffalo bumper, and winch.
Sounds like every rich kid I see driving around town.
I hunt fourth rifle most years. I've never needed a winch, nor wished I had one.
I did have a sketchy drive on an icy road this season. A little more slide and I might have wished I had a winch. It was definitely a time where I should have had chains on (which I don't even own).
BDC reticles are retarded.
Your holds end up being random distances. 278, 327, 416, blah, blah, blah
If you don't shoot enough to be proficient, stick with the duplex.