Probably an old thread and maybe deserving of another go.

How many decoys are best? Are different types ( breeds) of decoys in same spread a good idea? Should decoys be facing different directions? Should decoys be put in shallow orv deep areas on a earthen pond with grass? Should decoys be spread out? Do mojos help a lot or a little? Will dove mojos help or hurt?

I have a lot oif different hunters and they ask me and I would like to learn from the old pros.

Thanks for your help.

For me it depends on the size of the water. I have hunted with as little as six on a tiny pond. Up to 24 or more on bigger water. Jerk strings are a good investment. You can build one for $10 or less. They don't run out of batteries, water can't mess them up, and the motion they provide is amazing. For me I like to hunt with the species I see most. This year we will are running mostly mallard and wigeon decoys and will mix in gadds when we need more. We will use the occasional coot or ringneck also. I am not a pro by any means, others will lay some wisdom down also.

Mimic what you see on the water. [/thread]

I hunt with as many as 5 dozen on public open water and as few as 8 on a small tank. Always making sure I leave a big landing area. Some people use a V or a J type set up. I agree with Ambrot, you will be amazed what a jerkline will do for you. Although I have seen MOJOs really work.

I'll ask as much as toss out does the amount of breeze blowing change the numbers of decoys? I feel that too many decoys on a still day looks fake. its hard to get enough ripples to move all the deeks. Would it be best to use fewer and keep them closer to the jerk rig.

Thursday I had about 20 dekes on a pond, birds would circle but wouldn't come in. Next day I put out about 10 blocks. Birds dropped in without hesitation

Ditto. Mix it up- also bubblers work well- mallard Machines, etc.

Birds tend to get decoy shy later in season or lack of new fronts- take deke numbers down- experiment.


Not a fan of robo ducks- spook more than they bring in- I have had success w Robo doves though, even late seasn

I would add that I would rather hunt over a dozen great decoys (flocked heads, uv paint and clean/good detail) than 5 or 10 dozen crappy/dirty decoys.

That's keeping it real!!

I just use junked up unflocked oil painted ones like these

I was just giving some examples....most of what makes the dekes cheap is the plastic and cheap paint.....along with mud....how many times you see a muddy mallard flying into your spread???

The same as I see a plastic one

Good info. Guess I need to upgrade my decoys.

Just depends in what it looks like when you scout & group size in the air

You guys are gonna laugh at this but I've been having all my birds cup and commit with 3...YES THREE dekes out.....

I believe it, I used to know a guy who hunted a lot of the same spots as I do that only used ONE mallard hen decoy. Seen him leave with his limit too, sometimes you've just gotta mix it up I guess. I don't think I could talk myself into hunting with fewer than 8.