full bodies and shells

[Saskatchewan Duck Buster]

Is there an advantage to having full bodies and shell goose decoys in a set up and is it ok to mix different brands of decoys or is it better to have all the same so not to spook them in anyway?

[Mark Brendemuehl]

Later in the season it may seem more of an advantage. We really like to set up with the combo when it's cold out. We even take the legs off of fullbodies and set them on the ground like that. Thre is nothing wrong with mixing them anytime though... It will give the spread a natural look. Now add motion stakes on every 3rd or fourth shell and the whole spread will have an illusion of movement.
On your second question, I am not sure I have ever hunted over an entire spread of the same decoys, and we have never had problems with "spooking" birds. That is going to change this year though--- Avery all the way, as my buddies and I are having one serious garage sale!
Mark