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Feb 7th, 2025
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 Decoy question
#6520203
10/31/16 08:35 PM
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Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 149
M Wilson
OP
Woodsman
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OP
Woodsman
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 149 |
Question for those of you with experience.
i need to add some decoys to my spread. its only my second real season hunting with my own gear, but i have 1 dozen mallards, and half dozen greenwing teal. what should i get next to add some depth to my spread?
keep in mind i am cash handicapped and probably wont buy a bunch of new ones, maybe just another dozen.
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Re: Decoy question
[Re: M Wilson]
#6520219
10/31/16 08:44 PM
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 854
yakinthebox
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 854 |
I'm not an expert, but something I've always believed in is that you want to add some color/contrast.
I like to use the GHG Oversized Shovelers in my spread. I think they stand out from a long distance with the bright white breast. Pintail work great for this as well. Wigeon also work well.
The last couple of years I've been getting into hunting in the bay. I've added some Goldeneyes and Buffleheads to my spread just for visibility.
If you stay ready, you don't have to get ready!
-Anonymous
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Re: Decoy question
[Re: yakinthebox]
#6520229
10/31/16 08:50 PM
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 981
scubaarchery
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 981 |
I'm not an expert, but something I've always believed in is that you want to add some color/contrast.
I like to use the GHG Oversized Shovelers in my spread. I think they stand out from a long distance with the bright white breast. Pintail work great for this as well. Wigeon also work well.
The last couple of years I've been getting into hunting in the bay. I've added some Goldeneyes and Buffleheads to my spread just for visibility. I would go with pintails or shovelers based on what you see on your lake...
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Re: Decoy question
[Re: M Wilson]
#6520345
10/31/16 09:51 PM
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 4,075
aerangis
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 4,075 |
I've hunted over painted plastic bottles, carved wood, and carved foam. None of them qctually looked like a duck. But they all worked just fine.
If you're going to buy decoys, Flambeau Storm Fronts are cheap and durable. If you want pretty decoys for a little more denaro, Avian X.
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Re: Decoy question
[Re: aerangis]
#6520550
10/31/16 11:51 PM
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 36,646
Guy
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 36,646 |
I would get some pentails. I use mallards and pentails in my spread because those are the ducks I like to shoot. I used to never shoot pentails until someone gave some pentail deeks one day, then I started shooting pentails.
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Re: Decoy question
[Re: M Wilson]
#6520590
11/01/16 12:12 AM
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Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,525
BDB
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,525 |
I think it depends on where/how you like to setup. Are you hunting areas where there are ducks? Or are you blind hunting areas where you hope to get some ducks attention? For the former, use whatever is cheapest. The latter...use the advise above, get some decoys that stand out.
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Re: Decoy question
[Re: M Wilson]
#6520896
11/01/16 02:40 AM
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,268
LSU
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,268 |
man, I remember when Guy was just starting out with all his posts and excitement. Sorry if I stole your thread, but this site is cool.
I would add some movement! shakers, pull cords, etc... don't need too many deeks depending on what type of water you're hunting
"wack 'em, stack 'em, pack 'em
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Re: Decoy question
[Re: M Wilson]
#6520906
11/01/16 02:44 AM
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 8,584
BradyBuck
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 8,584 |
We get a pretty big variety around here but not a lot of Mallards.
Started out with mallards and pintails but have added gaddies, wigeon, gwt and half a dozen big GHG cans for really good visibility. I think I'll get some spoonies next.
Last season I think adding in just 2-3 of the cans seemed to help. It just added a splash of color and the big white bodies are really visible.
Last edited by BradyBuck; 11/01/16 02:48 AM.
HRCH Washita's Kimber Locked N Loaded
GRHRCH Firefly's Rally The Troops MH
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Re: Decoy question
[Re: M Wilson]
#6520918
11/01/16 02:48 AM
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 4,753
Nathan Nelson
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 4,753 |
Coots, the black on white contrast will help a lot in the pattern.
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Re: Decoy question
[Re: M Wilson]
#6521155
11/01/16 12:17 PM
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Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 149
M Wilson
OP
Woodsman
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OP
Woodsman
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 149 |
This is all very helpful thank you all.
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Re: Decoy question
[Re: M Wilson]
#6521226
11/01/16 01:09 PM
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Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 391
Pintail711
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 391 |
gadwall, black ducks, widgeon, a few jacks and pintails.... ive got a couple dozen avian x fully flocked black ducks that will scare you they look so real on the water
Last edited by Pintail711; 11/01/16 01:10 PM.
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Re: Decoy question
[Re: M Wilson]
#6521659
11/01/16 05:01 PM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,062
MS1454
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,062 |
Get a bunch of coot decoys
I'll take a Black Female every time.
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Re: Decoy question
[Re: M Wilson]
#6521748
11/01/16 05:46 PM
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Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 14
erv
Light Foot
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Light Foot
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 14 |
I added a 6 pack of the tanglefree migration series(magnum) and they really stick out. I love em
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Re: Decoy question
[Re: Nathan Nelson]
#6522002
11/01/16 08:20 PM
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 854
yakinthebox
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 854 |
Coots, the black on white contrast will help a lot in the pattern. I do use Coot decoys as well. I like the contrast!
If you stay ready, you don't have to get ready!
-Anonymous
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Re: Decoy question
[Re: M Wilson]
#6523054
11/02/16 12:43 PM
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Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 1,623
DPirates80
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 1,623 |
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Re: Decoy question
[Re: M Wilson]
#6523176
11/02/16 01:37 PM
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Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,426
DuckCoach1985
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,426 |
for fillers just get whatever's cheapest Keep an eye on ebay for a good deal. My early season spread is a bunch of old worn out random decoys with little or no paint.
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Re: Decoy question
[Re: M Wilson]
#6525601
11/03/16 05:07 PM
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Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 149
M Wilson
OP
Woodsman
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OP
Woodsman
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 149 |
i just grabbed some shovelers on sale and a pair of butt up feeder mallards.
now ill continue to watch craigslists for any good deals
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Re: Decoy question
[Re: M Wilson]
#6526505
11/04/16 04:03 AM
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 21
meangreenfan
Light Foot
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Light Foot
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 21 |
Agree with other posts pintails or widgeon for the color contrast. Or add a 4 pack of feeders and sleepers to change up the presentation. I also use a quiver tool to create motion in the water when it is still.
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Re: Decoy question
[Re: M Wilson]
#6527502
11/05/16 12:18 AM
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Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 391
Pintail711
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 391 |
GHG oversized butt feeders and skimmers on a jerk string are deadly too
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Re: Decoy question
[Re: M Wilson]
#6533618
11/08/16 11:53 PM
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Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 629
Astater
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 629 |
Got half a dozen Canvasbacks that I use when I'm not in the woods. I think they work great because ducks don't see them that much. I take em out of the spread later in the season and only use the species I plan on seeing. Like the others said...pintails, spoonies, coots...anything different.
The things we do for ducks...
NRA Life Member
Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Lifetime License/Member
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Re: Decoy question
[Re: yakinthebox]
#6533805
11/09/16 01:17 AM
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Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 2,943
Ben Lilly
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 2,943 |
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Re: Decoy question
[Re: M Wilson]
#6544020
11/15/16 03:11 AM
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 283
Bluesea112
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 283 |
I painted a few of my mallard hens and turned them into canvas back drakes and Mexican black ducks. I hunt muddy lakes and ponds, so the white canvas backs and black ducks show up very well against muddy water from a long distance.
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Re: Decoy question
[Re: Bluesea112]
#6546560
11/16/16 08:02 PM
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 554
Streater
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 554 |
I painted a few of my mallard hens and turned them into canvas back drakes and Mexican black ducks. I hunt muddy lakes and ponds, so the white canvas backs and black ducks show up very well against muddy water from a long distance. Cool! Would you mind posting pics?
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