How much weight do duck decoys need?
Typically, we'll rig the decoys for about 10 feet of water and use 8- to 12-ounce grapple-hook anchors or vinyl-coated H-shaped weights.
Rigging with heavy 6 or 8 ounce weights will ensure your decoys will remain in place even in gusty winds and big waves.
On smaller, confined waters, a spread of six to 36 decoys should be sufficient. On larger waters or dry fields, hunters should put out as many decoys as practical. I never heard of anybody scaring ducks or geese away because they used too many decoys. Typically, the more, the merrier.
I've done great with 12 decoys per hunter. It takes this many to conceal a hunter in a layout blind. Cochran echoes Bartz's advice: "You've got to be in the center of the bullseye—right where the geese want to go—when you're hunting with three dozen or fewer decoys.
“During early season, we like to use two to three dozen decoys as we try and match the spreads of ducks we have been seeing as we scout,” says Tussey.
So decoys should be separated specifically and, more importantly, according to the wind direction to cause ducks to drop right in front of the spread. This is because ducks enjoy landing into the wind, so your decoys spreads should be set out accordingly.
Goldeneyes can be somewhat tricky to decoy at times, as they prefer to associate with their own species. Buffleheads also act this way now and then. But again, they'll never approach the wariness of a mallard that has dodged repeated steel volleys along a major flyway.
HydroFoam decoys
Not only will they never sink, but HEYDAY's HydroFoam makes for a lightweight duck decoy that is more durable and quieter than any plastic decoy, thus making it easier and more enjoyable to transport, deploy, and pack up.
After nearly 5 years of development and countless hours of field testing and refining designs, the Flashback feeding decoy was born. The Flashback is quite simply the most realistic, effective and durable duck decoy ever.
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.
What duck decoys do I need?
Many people use a mix of mallards, black ducks, and pintails for their visibility and good pulling power. 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.
Six decoys CAN be enough, if you're on a little body of water where the ducks want to be.
Always set the most realistic-looking decoys on the downwind side of the spread, as these decoys will be eyed most carefully as bird's approach from the direction. When calling, always keep at least one hen decoys close to your blind (6 to 10 ft.).
"The ducks will come to the goose decoys, but they also pinpoint sound a lot better than geese," Hammock said. "So if you don't have any duck decoys near you, it may throw them off a bit. As long as you use good quality dekes, the ducks may finish right in your little pocket."
It's important to wait until ducks are well within range before firing, and that normally means 40 yards or less. That's a shorter distance than most hunters think it is. Pace off 40 yards sometime and see.
For example, during the rut, estrus doe and young buck decoys are typically the most effective for luring in a buck. Estrus doe decoys attract potential suitors, and young buck decoys pull in mature bucks that want to assert their dominance over their territory.
Aim slightly below the bird, raise the gun up into its flight path, and pull the trigger when the gun barrel blots out the bird. Or, if the duck is descending to land, aim at its feet and shoot.
A shooter needs to lead a duck by . 24-5.16 feet to make a clean shot. The two distinct variables that determine how far each duck should be led by are: How far away the duck is, and how fast the duck is flying.
The house should be at least 3 feet tall, with vents along the top near the roof to allow for good air flow. Ducks emit lots of moisture when they breathe, and if that moisture can't escape, it can lead to moldy and mildewed bedding or even frostbitten legs and feet in winter.
Mallards are the most common North American duck species, and the most commonly hunted. They can be found in most every state and are widely available through Canada and Mexico as well.
Which duck tastes the best?
Pekin duck is the most popular duck to eat. Pekin duck meat is known for its mild, satisfying flavor that easily adapts to a number of cuisines. It has lighter flesh and milder flavor than either Moulard or Muscovy duck, and is considered perfect for whole roasting.
No, you can not potty train a duck. Instead, you'll want to either: carefully consider which areas of your home you want your ducks to have access to; or. diaper your ducks.
A lead decoy anchor weight to be used with your duck or goose decoy. Sold by the dozen, each one averages about 4 ounces. Measures 5/8" x 7 1/8" x 1/8" with a cast hole in the middle.
It does not hurt to leave out. If having good success in one location then leave out.
Black or dark-colored decoys stand out better. They're easier for passing ducks to see, so I add these in to increase my spread's visibility. "Also, sometimes I put out a couple of pairs of shovelers, maybe some pintails and some teal.
A great foam or cork decoy wrapped in burlap will last you the rest of your life! A standard plastic decoy will have more feather detail and be more realistic.
A laydown hen is great to go alongside a jake deke, especially for the first couple weeks of the season. Any longbeard or flock of jakes that sees a loner who looks like he's found a lady is likely to commit. Just make sure the laydown hen is visible to approaching birds and not obscured by grass or brush.
Ducks are rather visual creatures, and tend to follow their peers. Placing a decoy duck pair in the water will make it seem more attractive to ducks passing by, or at the very least pique their curiosity enough that they'll check it out since they think that other ducks are there.
Like airplanes, ducks and geese approach their landing areas by flying into the wind. They cup their wings to create drag, and then touch down feet first. When setting out decoys, always make sure to position yourself with your back to the wind or coming from an angled direction over one shoulder.
A decoy spread situated too close to the hunting blind or hideout doesn't invite ducks in to a convenient landing zone that's well within shotgun range. Fix: Move the decoy spread farther away, offering a gap or slot between you and the decoys that shows the next flock an inviting place to land.
Who makes the lightest duck decoys?
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Additional information.
| Weight | 10.0 lbs |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 19.0 × 17.0 × 12.0 in |
Their most preferred way has to be the natural funnels, which are long pathways with either trees, rocks, or shrubbery covering both sides of the path. Ducks enjoy traveling through such natural channels, so hiding your blind near these natural paths can be an excellent strategy without involving decoys.
For ducks and geese that are close, improved cylinder or even skeet constriction choke work well. If the birds are farther out, a modified choke tube is better.
There's no doubt a deer decoy works best during the whitetail rut. Playing on a buck's robot-like trance as he is roaming forests and fields, a decoy not only attracts deer, but also helps set up a shot, makes calls and scents more attractive, and adds a layer of excitement to an already exciting time.
As we mentioned earlier, your decoy line should be approximately two and a half times the depth of the water that you are hunting in. So the approximate line length for puddle duck decoys should be anywhere between 4-6 feet. For diver decoys in deep water, feel free to use anywhere between 8-20 foot lines.
Decoy Spreads
Because teal, in my experience, really don't care what kind of duck they're rubbing wings with; only that they're safe, warm and well fed. Mallard decoys work fine for teal. So, too, will a mix of mallards, wigeon, gadwall and shovelers.
Then I'll set my decoys in two groups about five to 10 yards apart. I put about 10 to 12 decoys in one group and six or eight in the other. This looks like one smaller flock of geese has just landed next a larger flock of feeding birds. Most of the time, geese will try to land right between the two groups of decoys."
Try spacing out four or five decoys or double up a pair or two. It has been my experience that it is often more effective to position decoys in separate pairs, rather than in groups. Doves on the ground often travel in pairs. This setup also conveys a more natural appearance.
Educated Ducks
One consists of about 100 feet of string, some bungee cord, a weight, and a few clips and swivels.