| irst use of decoys as a means of attracting | | | | edges of your spread limiting your shooting |
| ducks and geese is credited to the North | | | | opportunities. |
| American Aboriginal Indians who used crude | | | | Whether hunting in the field or on the water. Keep |
| decoys to help lure birds within net or spear | | | | some separation between the groups of decoys |
| range. The earliest confirmed decoys, found in a | | | | that represent different ducks or goose species |
| Nevada cave, date back to more than 2000 | | | | that represent different ducks or goose species. |
| years ago. Speculation though among | | | | While real birds or different species often feed |
| archeologists suggests that decoys may have | | | | together they tend to stick to subgroups of their |
| been used as many as 8,000 years ago prior to | | | | own species. |
| that. | | | | Thought it is generally agreed that you should not |
| While the materials and manufacturing methods | | | | point your decoys into the wind do not overdo it. |
| have changed and evolved considerably in last | | | | A natural flock on the ground will have birds facing |
| couple of millennia, the concepts of duck and bird | | | | in every conceivable direction. To make sure that |
| decoys have changed little. And the modern duck | | | | your goose or duck waterfowl decoy spread |
| decoys and other waterfowl hunting decoys are | | | | does not end up looking like a regiment of |
| every bit as effective today as they were when | | | | feathered soldiers add lots of diversity to the |
| a bird in the bag was a matter of survival in the | | | | direction that they are facing and the spacing |
| bush and rugged outdoors. | | | | between your shells. At least 30 % should face a |
| Generally the more decoys deployed when | | | | direction other than upwind. |
| decoying ducks and other waterfowl in big water. | | | | Decoys placed under cover of darkness can |
| Six or eight dozen blocks are not too many by | | | | often frost up as the sun rises. Frost results in |
| any means. In potholes however, when hunting | | | | your spread reflecting light like a hundred prisms |
| for waterfowl such as ducks or Canada Geese it | | | | flaring many birds that otherwise might drop in. |
| is better to seldom use more a dozen decoys. | | | | Use a rag to wipe them down just before legal |
| When hunting goose in the field it is best to | | | | light, eliminating that hunt destroying glare. Snow in |
| reduce the size of the spread as the water bird | | | | a confidence destroyer as well –so keep |
| hunting season progresses. Educated geese will | | | | your flocks wiped free. |
| sometimes shy away from large sets of bird | | | | Adding movement to your spread can make a big |
| decoys, so by seasons end it is best to use | | | | difference – a little fatal attraction. |
| considerably less decoys used earlier in the | | | | Consider using a dozen windsock decoys or flying |
| waterfowl hunting season. | | | | two or three kite like decoys on poles. You could |
| A large spread of decoys can be a cumbersome | | | | also try “flagging: to give birds the |
| and expensive venture. Help fill out your layout in | | | | impression of movement. Adding confidence as |
| the field by using silhouette decoys crafted from | | | | they make their final approach. |
| ¼ inch plywood painted back, or invest in a | | | | If you are hunting diving ducks, high color contrast |
| few dozen relatively inexpensive commercial | | | | in your decoys is important. While species specific |
| silhouettes. | | | | blocks are optimal you can still effective attract |
| If hunting from shore on a large wetland set up | | | | divers with any decoy that shows lots of dark |
| so that the majority of your decoys are upwind | | | | light contrast much like their own natural plumage. |
| from your hunting blind location. This will help | | | | It is no accident that decoys are useful in |
| ensure that incoming birds will have to fly past | | | | increasing your hunting bag either a thousand |
| your blind to settle whole giving something to | | | | years ago or hunting waterfowl – ducks or |
| focus on besides a waiting hunter. Without it | | | | geese today or this coming fall. |
| ducks and geese are likely to land on the outer | | | | |