How far apart should decoys be?
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. If you’re running 150 yards of long line, you’ll use about 12 to 14 decoys, depending upon how deep the water is and whether you’re running one or two anchors.
How many duck decoys should I use?
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.
Is 12 goose decoys enough?
Bartz says, “Sometimes when birds have had a lot of pressure, a small spread will work better than a large spread. I’ve done great with 12 decoys per hunter. It takes this many to conceal a hunter in a layout blind.
How many decoys do you need to traffic geese?
“Generally, the more decoys, the better,” Hudnall says. “If you have a limited number to work with, you can make the spread look larger by arranging small groups of four to six decoys and really spreading them out.” The exception to the big-spread rule is when you are targeting a smaller group of geese.
How many duck decoys should you use?
How do you make decoys less shiny?
“Flocking absorbs light and reduces the sheen and reflection you see on a standard decoy,” he says. “It’s especially effective when it’s sunny or there is a light mist. Flocking won’t shine like plastic will.”
Can you have too many duck decoys?
I never heard of anybody scaring ducks or geese away because they used too many decoys. Typically, the more, the merrier. Walk-in/wade-in hunters obviously are restricted to smaller spreads. One hunter shouldn’t attempt to carry more than 18 standard, rigged decoys in a backpack.
How far apart should goose decoys be?
5 to 6 feet apart
That size makes it very important to space out the decoys enabling them to land among one another. Spread them at least 5 to 6 feet apart or approximately 2 big steps. Most geese tend to bed down when the temperature drops below 30 degrees.
How do I make a decoy?
Whatever kind of decoy you will be making, the steps are pretty much the same. First, you must get some reference pictures. These can be obtained from library books, out-door magazines, on-line sites, etc. Next, you will need to make a pattern. (0228, 0226)
Should duck decoys be separated by species?
Because other species often travel with large flocks of mallards, he isn’t too worried about separating his duck decoys by species. “I just put them out as I grab them out of the bag,” he said.
Does it matter if you mix decoy species?
Mallards will swim among pintails, and flocks of teal will settle in with big ducks, but there are times when they seem to favor their own kind. Pintails will stick together. So will teal and gadwall. So does it matter if you mix decoy species? Should you segregate them? Depends, according to three experts.
Why do they put White decoys on duck hunting decoys?
They’ll almost always add drake pintail or shoveler decoys because the bright white chests of those birds shine like a beacon on cloudy and bright days. That flash of white can attract the attention of distant birds.