Decoy spread diversity

[freezer]

As you've read I'm planning a summer decoy painting project. Is a diverse spread a better spread? I have mallard,sprig,widgen and more teal than I need. I was thinking of turning some teal into coot and maybe even making some fake spoonies :gag-green: What's your aproach? Is it better to have more of the ducks you prefer or will a diverse spread bring in more ducks?

[Orygun]

You should replicate what you see in the closed areas of the closed areas of the refuges or where ever the ducks gather. A couple of each isn't a bad way to go. Painting a few up like coots wouldn't hurt. I've done it. Though I think coot dekes don't do a lot for you until your hauling 4 or more dozen with a half dozen puddler dekes of different species. Cruise un-hunted area(closed zones) near where you hunt. Take a look at what is there and mimic it. When everyone around you hauls out 3-4 dozen of the same dekes, being a little different can really help.

[bux-n-dux]

Spoony decoys = LIGHTS OUT.

Since I have added 6 shovels to my spread I have noticed a difference. The duck I use the least of is mallard. I may only use 2 mallard on any given day, or 12. But I ALWAYS have my spoons mixed in. For the areas you hunt I would suggest spoons, a few mallard, and pintail. There are generally enough coots around to where you dont need to have them as decoys. A few widgeon are good too. The most teal I have ever shot were over a spread of decoys that contained NO teal. Go figure.

bux-n-dux

[dkhuntr25]

i agree with bux and dux spoons are like confidence decoys a lot of old timers have told me that was there key to success if u hunt refuges i usually carry dozen or so mallards dozen teal half dozen sprig, spoons, and widgeon seems to work for me

[Caninelaw]

After this past year I'm thinking less is more. The only time this year I got any birds to really commit to the decoys was the time I put out a total of about 8 decoys. It was 5 spoons and 3 pins. There were times I put out a dozen spoons, a dozen coots, a couple dozen pins a few mallards and a couple goose floaters on the side. I'm getting to the point where I'm not sure that's worth all the work.

[freezer]

I've carried between two and four dozen, usually 18 Mallard, 12 sprig, 12 teal and six wedgen. Two dozen is what I take if I'm alone. I don't set them in large formations but prefer to scater them in groups of two and three. I've seldon in my five years of duck hunting seen a flock larger than five or six, usually ones and twos. Confidence seems to be the key. I saw one hunter with a Harron decoy in his spred, a novel thought.

[bux-n-dux]

Heron and egret decoys are common. They are confidence decoys, so I'm told. At my friends club on the Suisun we place a large heron decoy at the edge of the pickleweed on the far end of the pond. When there are lots of hunters and lots of decoys around a heron or egret can make a difference sometimes. I agree with Canine after this last season I'm going with less is more too. Large ponds or big water can necessitate more decoys but for small potholes on refuges I think too many decoys can make the water look crowded.

[Buckeyeduckhunter]

I couldn't agree more with what is being said here. This upcoming year will be a spread of quality over quantity, while at the same time improving my concealment and calling.

[dkhuntr25]

well my spread seems to work for me down here in the grasslands i killed birds every trip this season

[freezer]

dkhunter25, nobody's knocking your spread. Form what I see your taking about 3-4 dzn. There is also quite a variety in your spread. That's the question here! I've seen very few mallard and since I can only shot two sprig why should I make them a large part of my spread. In addition I've seen only small flocks comming in and not too many in flocks larger than 4-6 ducks. That's the reason for the question.

[dkhuntr25]

i usually carry 3-6 sprig mostly all bulls they stand out and i think they are more a confidence decoy in my spread