mallard decoys

dwighet

Ok lads Ive got the bug... I just got back from my fist time duck shooting and got me one and I think im hooked...
The question is for ye out there with all the experience .. Decoys!!! how many? what kind? any particular pattern...
Any imformation anyone is willing to share would be GREATLY APPRECIATED.

Many thanks
Dwight

Double Barrel

Dwight,

I have had success with as few as 2 decoys a duck call and teal whistle. If you are shooting a small pond or splash 6 mallard deeks will do. Big water, usually a dozen for starters and as many as it takes depending on pressure and conditions.
Keep movement to a minimum at all times and especially when birds are approaching and use a call sparingly. If you see birds flaring stop calling and stop moving. Pick up any shiny objects- plastic bottles, cans etc. -flotsam and jetsam - in the vicinity of your hide.
I rarely use a pattern except for sea ducks.
Variety in your decoy spread is more important in my opinion, a few teal mixed in with a dozen mallards adds variety and realism. Keep the teal together. Space the mallards about a meter apart and toward the edges, leave a landing spot in the centre. Location is perhaps the most important aspect of waterfowling. Basically, hunt where you’ve seen ducks. Shallow backwaters off big rivers, smaller ponds, big ponds, etc. - try and situate on their preferred flight lines. Confidence decoys, a ( heron, seagull, pigeon, crow etc.) add that settled look and realism.
Something to remember while duck shooting, patience is a virtue.
Good luck

dwighet

Thanks for that DB... Its a flooded backwater off a river i am shooting.. I only have 2 deeks so I guess I will have to warm up the credit card and get some more... There not cheap..

What time of the day do you think is the best?

Rgds
Dwight

ianoo

well dwight
db is spot on ,dont overcrowd the water and leave room for the ducks to land ,above all stay still

incidently on the price ,i was on hols in france last year and picked up 12 mallard decoys and a net bag for 28E :Din one of the big sports
stores
,had to convince the wife of the great bargain it was so i could squeeze them in under the car seats for the ferry home...
worth it do same thing here a lot dearer .....

ian

dwighet

ianoo wrote: »

well dwight
db is spot on ,dont overcrowd the water and leave room for the ducks to land ,above all stay still

incidently on the price ,i was on hols in france last year and picked up 12 mallard decoys and a net bag for 28E :Din one of the big sports
stores
,had to convince the wife of the great bargain it was so i could squeeze them in under the car seats for the ferry home...
worth it do same thing here a lot dearer .....

ian

I might check ebay...A trip to France is out of the Question at the moment....PLus frog legs dont really do it for me..lol

Double Barrel

dwighet wrote: »

What time of the day do you think is the best?

Rgds
Dwight

Dawn and Dusk. Feeding time.
A half doz decoys will do just fine if the ducks want to be there.
Do not overshoot your backwater.

dwighet

Double Barrel wrote: »

Dawn and Dusk. Feeding time.
A half doz decoys will do just fine if the ducks want to be there.
Do not overshoot your backwater.

Thanks again DB.. I will put all that to practice tomorrow evening and see how I go.

J.R.

Good advice there!

Another thing to remember is that ducks (as with nearly al birds) will land with the wind blowing in their face.....if you see ducks approaching high with the wind behind them then stay very still as they will fly past the pond, swing around and approach the pond, rapidly dropping height, with the wind in their face.

Try to have your hide facing a crossing wind so you'll get a crossing shot Right to left or left to right ...depending on wind direction.