Do big decoy spreads work?
This past season, Powley’s spread peaked at 1200 duck decoys, 250 Canada goose floaters and another 200 field Canada decoys on dry ground behind his blind. He continues, “I know most hunters can’t put out such a large spread. There’s a lot of expense and effort involved.
How many decoys do I need for a diver duck?
As far as the number of decoys to use, 12 to 24 puddle duck decoys is a good range for most people, with fewer than 18 being about right for a solo hunter to set up alone.
Are bigger duck decoys better?
Decoy Size Bigger decoys are more noticeable, especially at long distances. On a big lake, flooded field, or dry field where waterfowl may pass at long range, bigger decoys are better, though a mass of decoys (for example, 200 to 400) will have plenty visibility regardless of which size decoy is used.
How far apart should duck decoys be?
One of the common mistakes in laying out long lines is placing your decoys too closely together. Set them about 10 yards apart; any closer and you increase the risk that incoming ducks will land in the line, short of where you want them.
How do you decoy late season ducks?
Full-body mallard decoys are placed along the edge of the gravel bar near the center of the goose spread. Some floating duck decoys are set on the water just upriver from the gravel bar. And goose floaters are sprinkled in here and there along the edge of the gravel bar, just beyond the sleepers.
How do you get high flying ducks to decoy?
Try placing the spinning wing decoys at the front edge of your decoy spread with the head pointing into the wind and towards the rest of your decoy spread. This will make it look like a duck is just preparing to land which can add some comfort to the incoming ducks.
How do you make a good decoy spread?
10 Surefire Decoy Strategies
- Make Your Spread Visible.
- Keep Water Open around Your Decoys.
- Set a Floating Spread for Canada Geese.
- Use Goose Decoys for Ducks.
- Spread Out Decoys in Flooded Timber.
- Deploy the Ultimate Diver Spread.
- Give Geese Room to Land.
- Deceive Dabblers with Coot Decoys.
Where do you put goose decoys on a duck spread?
And more importantly perhaps, their large size allows them to be seen from a greater distance, adding visibility to the spread. Most savvy waterfowlers consider it best to place them in pairs here and there on the outside edge of the duck decoys (on shore or in the water), typically on the upwind side.
Does duck decoy size matter?
Exactly. Ducks have no size consistency, meaning, to a duck, there’s no difference between a big decoy or a small decoy. The only practical difference is that the bigger decoys can be seen from further away, and they stand out better against the background.
Will divers land in mallard decoys?
Now, diving ducks are typically not the most wary of fowl, but on most days, they won’t just pitch perfectly into a half-dozen mallard decoys, either.