How To Set Duck Decoys
Edifice your duck decoy spread in the off-season
The pursuit of duck hunting is full of equipment and tools that may seem intimidating to a new hunter. From calls to waders, duck hunters ofttimes have strong and varying opinions on what equipment is best, what equipment isn't worth the money, and everything in betwixt. This goes double for duck decoys.
First, it should be said (and very clearly) that whatever legal methods and equipment that piece of work for you–and yous prefer–are fine. This goes for shotguns, shells, camouflage, and your decoys. Duck decoys are mayhap one of the about loved however hated pieces of equipment in the waterfowling world. Every waterfowler loves the feel of watching ducks cup up and commit to a carefully set up decoy spread. And we all detest tangled messes of decoy lines and weights hanging off of leaky decoys with chipped paint stuffed into a mesh handbag, creating a level of frustration all its ain.
Let's take a expect at duck decoy basics, considerations for a new hunter, and some truths about duck decoys taken from decades of experience in the field.
Puddle Ducks
For the purposes of this how-to we volition consider puddle duck hunting. Puddle ducks, or dabbling ducks, are the most commonly pursued duck by hunters in North America. Found in all four North American flyways, puddle ducks include pop species such as wigeon, gadwall, teal, pintail, northern shoveler, wood duck, and the ever popular mallard.
Other types of ducks that are no less sporting but perhaps lacking in their popularity backside puddle ducks include diver ducks and sea ducks. It's worth mentioning that many ringneck ducks, canvasbacks, scaup, and redhead diver ducks take fallen in a spread of puddle duck decoys, thus providing the basis for an argument that the most effective decoy spread for fresh water waterfowlers is one made up of dabbler duck decoys. There certainly is no impairment in adding a few diver duck decoys to the exterior edge of your mallard spread in hopes of a mixed bag.
Choosing Duck Decoys
The off-season is the perfect fourth dimension to do some inquiry and decide which decoys to put to work on opening 24-hour interval. There are many factors to consider that may not exist meridian of listen in the warm days of summertime, but can brand a big difference this flavour when those cold fronts start to push birds into your area. Here are a few things to go on in mind.
Decoy Species and Gender
For most hunters, the image of a mallard drake decoy with an iridescent green head is what duck decoys are all about, and there is no dubiousness that fully plumed mallard drake decoys are constructive. For the nearly part mallard ducks are social, vocal, and a steady bellwether for the hunting in an area.
When edifice a dabbler duck spread, starting with mallards is a fantastic way to go. New decoys are often sold in packs of a dozen. Generally speaking they will run half drakes and one-half hens. While it may seem similar a better idea to run only drake decoys for their eye catching bright colors, consider that in early season the drake's plume is non nearly as pronounced in color, and in late season the biology of the breeding season may brand a hen decoy much more enticing. There is some theory that in the tardily flavor, six or eight hen decoys mixed with simply two or three mallard drake decoys may be more effective than drake decoys solitary.
Other decoys that can bring a lot of character and realism to your spread might include a iv pack of dark-green-winged teal or wigeon, and maybe a pair of pintails. By mixing in ii or three other species in a express number, your spread tin become more than inviting to a larger variety of ducks and give a more realistic impression of migrating birds.
Plastics, Rubber, or Foam-Filled Decoys
The decoy structure material tin play a number of factors when it comes to the hunt every bit well equally off-season storage. Although early decoys were made of things like cork or wicker, contemporary decoys employ modern materials similar plastics and safety.
Different materials have a variety of pros and cons. Take into consideration the durability of the textile, not merely of the decoy itself but also the pigment, keel, and where the decoy line is designed to attach. Spending difficult-earned coin on decoys that crack, leak, or take their weight attachment points split in a season or ii can be disheartening. Foam-filled decoys take the adventure out of leaky decoys, but you sacrifice weight and portability. Hard plastics are durable but can go brittle in frigid temperatures. No matter what type of decoy you cull, give careful consideration to the durability of the paint and stop.
Choosing Decoy Weights, Lines, and Rigs
Duck decoys must be rigged with some type of weight and line to keep them tethered when yous place them into a body of water, preventing them from floating away. When choosing the type of decoy line and weight rigs, there are a few factors to consider:
- Typical Hunting Location – If you're primarily hunting shallow marshes with flooded vegetation, small ponds, sloughs, or other shallow water with flooded vegetation, chances are y'all can get abroad with shorter rigs and lighter weights. Texas rigs work groovy in this situation.
- Air current and Current – High winds and stiff currents will play havoc on light decoy weights and short lines. These situations call for heavier anchors and longer cables or cords. Late season hunts over swift water require longer decoy line lengths to keep from pulling the front end of your decoys downward into the water. Strong wind currents on larger bodies of water can exist problematic, particularly on hard bottom areas where a lighter weight won't hold. If yous plan on hunting large reservoirs, consider heavier decoy anchors–half-dozen or 8 ounces of weight should hold.
- H2o Depth – Puddle ducks typically frequent waters that could be considered but that: "puddles." Even so, y'all may also find yourself hunting over deeper water, perhaps a aqueduct through a reservoir, or a steep-sided creek or river. Deep water hunts phone call for longer lines, usually wrapped around the keel and fastened to a heavy weight.
Decoy Weight and Line Styles
Decoy line and weights, or "rigs," tin can exist as simple as a section of cord and a fishing sinker, and equally complicated as any variety of jerk line made to add movement to your spread. For simplicity, let's focus on the two main types of decoy rigs.
Texas Style Decoy Rigs
Texas rigs consist of a length of solid vinyl string or vinyl coated steel cable with a loop on one or both ends and a sliding weight of 4 ounces or more. For the all-time action on the water, Texas rigs can be attached to decoys with large surf swivels that slide up and down the cable length, allowing the decoy to swivel on the h2o's surface with simply a slight breeze.
Texas rigs are convenient, like shooting fish in a barrel to shop, and are known for their ability to remain untangled in the bottom of a boat, the back of your truck, or when in storage. This style of rig really shines when it's time to pick upward decoys. Gripping the duck decoy by the cervix or the head, lift it out of the water and clip the summit loop onto a carabiner. Texas rigs allow you to selection up decoys chop-chop, often without even getting your hands wet!
Keel Line Rigs
The traditional keel line decoy rig is simple and constructive. A line or cord is attached to the decoy keel either directly with a knot or with a swivel for more action. Cut the cord to the length of the deepest water you programme on hunting and tie a weight on the opposite finish; it's as simple as that.
Strap weights or long stem mushroom weights work well for this type of decoy rig. To pick upwardly and store keel line rigged decoys, you elevator the decoy out of the water, wrap the line effectually the keel, and ideally bend the soft lead strap over the terminate of the keel to agree everything in place. Keel line rigs work well over deeper water where Texas rigs can be impractical; they do, withal, have more of a tendency to become tangled in storage.
Your Style of Duck Hunting
We've discussed considerations when it comes to the type of ducks yous intend to imitate in your decoy spread, the right materials for decoy construction, and how to rig your decoys to an ballast. But what is the correct decoy setup for your style of hunting?
There are several elements to consider when it comes to the best duck decoys for your spread option: hunting fashion, hunting location, and conveyance to and from the blind.
Decoy Weight – Are yous a pack-in, public marsh hunter, or are you excited to get later the ducks at a private spot with vehicle admission to the blind? The weight and size of your decoys play a vital office in your ability to be mobile. When it comes to out-of-the-way spots in a marsh or a pond, sometimes less is more than, and having the flexibility to movement and conform is more than disquisitional than a large spread of decoys. Lighter decoys allow you to exist more mobile and pack further from crowded areas of public hunting spots. Bigger, heavier decoys are often more durable and may have more than corruption.
Mobility – For the hunter with mobility in mind, look for slightly smaller decoys that are lighter weight. If yous're hunting in shallow flooded vegetation such as a marsh, you can often get past with but 2 ounces of weight on Texas rigs. Some decoys are even marketed as packable, allowing for a certain amount of deflation when yous're packing everything upward. Exist conscientious about weak or complicated valve systems, and imagine yourself thigh-deep in a common cold Dec marsh trying to inflate or deflate decoys with numb fingers. Mixing in smaller teal decoys with half a dozen mallard decoys can requite your spread a bigger look while saving on space and weight.
Larger Spreads – Possibly yous've got some dandy private access where an ATV or even a pickup can drive right down to the blind. Duck hunting lends itself well to creature comforts like blind heaters, comfy chairs, and even campsite stoves for coffee and breakfast if yous are fortunate enough to have admission to the right location. For this type of hunter, large spreads of heavy decoys are not an result. Consider magnum type decoys for amend visibility from passing bird and foam-filled decoys for their durability. Rigging with heavy 6 or 8 ounce weights will ensure your decoys will remain in place even in gusty winds and big waves.
Conveyance – How do you plan to ship your decoys to your hunting spot? Some options include a decoy purse over your shoulder, a cart, a sled pulled by mitt or an ATV, or maybe you lot plan to utilize a gunkhole or a kayak. Remember, decoys are just part of the gear yous'll need for the hunt. Piling decoys on top and around your shotgun, blind bag, and possibly your duck domestic dog in a canoe, kayak, or boat can exist interesting. Keep your planned fashion of transportation in mind when you lot're deciding which decoys, and how many, to take into the field adjacent season.
Final Thoughts
Duck hunting is full of tradition and heritage, including the use of decoys. From ultra-realistic fully flocked decoys, to mitt carved and painted works of art, choosing the right decoys and decoy rigs for your spread is a personal decision. One thing is for certain, though: you tin never have enough decoys!
Last modified: June 16, 2022
Source: https://endlessmigrationhunt.com/waterfowl-hunting-how-to/how-to-select-the-right-duck-decoys/
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