how many decoys

[newtoalasak]

Got another question for everyone........does anyone here believe in the statement that one should always have an odd numember of decoys in their spread? I guess so if any loners fly by and land they will have a buddy to pair up with. Also besides mallards what other species do people have in their spread. I am just curious. Last would be anybody have any luck with any confidenace decoys up here?

 

[duckslayer56]

In my experience it doesn't matter. Ducks can't count. The only time I have ever noticed birds caring about the spread is later in the season, when they are getting shot at a lot. I usually use mallards, widgeon, pintail, and about 4 floater goose decoys. As far as confidence decoys go, I have never used them, I have heard they work.

 

[BrownBear]

It only seems to make a difference with very small decoy spreads and small groups of birds or singles. By small I mean two or three decoys, such as I use on long hikes to reach small waters. Put out a pair of mallards and birds might or might not stop. Put out a hen and a couple of drakes and it seems to work better. Best yet, put our three hens and no drakes.

Only a general rule of thumb, and maybe an excuse to carry fewer blocks on long hikes. On big water with big flocks.... nah.

 

[Casper50]

Decoys

Decoys

Down here on the peninsula I do not use Drake decoys at all. The ducks have no color on them until much later in the season and I seem to do better with the decoying if I don't use drakes.

www.mikesbritishguns.us

 

[fishermann222]

hens

hens

Hen decoys are all we use in the spring as well, draws the drakes in like magnets.

 

[Iamthatguy]

Size of water and wind direction

Size of water and wind direction

as long as you dont over crowd the water you should be fine, to add a more advanced hint of realism to your spread make sure you Decoys are always facing into the wind, through a crane on the bank about 50 to 100m away from your spread to build confidence.

 

[Alaska Gray]

Down here on the peninsula I do not use Drake decoys at all. The ducks have no color on them until much later in the season and I seem to do better with the decoying if I don't use drakes.

www.mikesbritishguns.us

Same here I only use hens on the lakes in palmer. Drakes have no color.
I use about a dozen and one baby hen mojo