Decoy conversation

[RUGER]

Thought this would be a good one.

In terms of decoy spread, what do you think is better?
Big massive spread of "fair" condition decoys or a smaller spread of higher end / more expensive and better looking decoys?

 

[scn]

I think it depends on the location. In areas where the birds are used to seeing a few hundred birds resting/feeding together (particularly close to refuges), I would want the big spread.

In other locations where the "normal" groups are much smaller, I'd go with the smaller spread of super realistic decoys.

 

[JBell]

In a field situation, we run big spreads. Put you best decoys near landing zone. But since we primarily hunt timber now. 3-4 dozen quality decoys is about all we run

 

[Andy S.]

I think it depends on the location.

The first thought that popped in my head when I read the question.

 

[foodplot]

I agree with the others about the location..... where i hunt in east tn. u never see "big" groups so i have never tried a large spread... i always thought it might look out of place?
but it could spark curiosity? you never know....

 

[Crazyeye]

I want the best looking spread possible and and as many decoys as i need to compete. I think motion is just as important. I see guys hunting over painted bleach bottles and freon tanks. Some of them do well.


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[lothar]

We hunted a place where we put out roughly 150. A guy built a blind about 175 yards from us and he only had about 15 or so. Every duck that decoyed came in out spread. He never had a duck light in his. Like they always say, there's safety in numbers!

 

[Grnwing]

It really does depend on the location you are hunting. When I hunt saltwater bays for divers, it is always a large spread- you needed visibility and were competing with thousands of other live ducks on the big water. When I am hunting moist soil/fields it will depend on what birds are using the area and try and match spread size with what was seen during scouting. On some smaller pothole style hunts I will reduce the spread down greatly to less than a dozen realistic decoys. And on really good timber hunt mornings, you really don't need any, between kicking the water and some good calling you can pull the birds through.

 

[Dodge Man]

We have come to believe that quality is better then a larger number of low quality decoys. At least it does matter if you want to kill more ducks inside of 30 yards. If you are ok shooting them at 40+ then I don't think it matters a whole lot.

We started off replacing 3-4 dozen a year with Higdon Battleships. After a few years we have replaced all of our decoys now are quality decoys. Some times if we want to add extra numbers of decoys we have thrown in filler decoys around the outside of the spead and fill in around places with less visibility. Put the best looking decoys in the kill hole where the ducks are looking to land.


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[Wildwings]

Big spread

 

[TNGunsmoke]

On WMAs, I like a big spread. For jump shooting, I think if you get in a good spot, you can do well with a couple dozen good decoys. Probably more about the location than anything. There are a couple of timber holes on Camden Bottoms WMA I think do better if you throw 3-4 dozen and pick em up every day, especially if you don't hunt the blind every day. Big spreads you have to leave out and I think the ducks get accustomed to them being there in the same spots and don't decoy in as well, especially in a big open area with little to no current to cause motion.