Decoy spread question

[RUGER]

This is part just for discussion and part for my benefit.
My son and I were talking about when to put decoys out.
We are going to have between 1,000 & 1,100 decoys.
We can put out a few to just hunt local ducks the first couple weeks of the season or we can put the entire spread out and wait on the big migration, IF we have any migration.
What would you do?



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[spoonie]

Re: Decoy spread question

We usually start out with about 250 opening day, always throw them out opening morning and gradually add more as the season progresses thru December. By then I'll have between 700-900 out. Then come about the 2nd week of January I will Start picking a Couple dozen up every afternoon I hunt, always putting out my best decoys first and then picking the best ones up last.

 

[TNGunsmoke]

Re: Decoy spread question

I'd say half or so and add as you go. Takes a bunch of boat rides to put out that many anyhow.

 

[monjorrow]

Re: Decoy spread question

Holy crap thats a lot of decoys! I don't think I've ever hunted over more than 3 dozen lol. Obviously I have nothing constructive to add from experience, but my opinion would be to put out a few now and the rest later.

 

[Pic IN the Casa]

Re: Decoy spread question

I've been duck hunting for 11 years (all public land) and never have understood decoy spreads yet.

Between dekes and too much calling on WMA's always leaves me scratching my head.

 

[drake799]

Re: Decoy spread question

Cut that number in half and throw them out before season and be done lol. Space them well and don't put them out any farther than you are willing to shoot Ive seen your spot Ruger with bunch decoys out 100 yards and the birds worked the edge of the spread quite a bit Guys that hunted it shot a bunch of long shots that yr

 

[RUGER]

Re: Decoy spread question

I've been duck hunting for 11 years (all public land) and never have understood decoy spreads yet.

Between dekes and too much calling on WMA's always leaves me scratching my head.

I understand what you are saying about the calling but what do you mean about the decoys?
Everyone should just have a few dozen or what?

****Disclaimer..... not being a turd, just curious.
I just love talking about duck stuff

 

[tickweed]

Re: Decoy spread question

That's a lot of decoys, a great draw, but also a ton to have to work daily. Visibility is a great thing. But on a still day it will kill you, or when it freezes up. Its so hard to make a big spread look real. water movement is very critical. Movement, movement, movement is the key on water. Still, dead spreads are a quick give away to birds who have been hunted. Also, I believe in really good quality decoys, good paint. Most I know running big spreads are running 8-10 ice eaters for motion, even on still, warm days, plus multiple splashers, swimmers, butt ducks, wonder ducks, tracks. plus that's a lot of deks to try and shoot over. It may work, but I would start less, build up as the migration numbers build, then slowly pull as the season winds down. I always pay attention to counts in west Tn. Then I work my spread according to that. More birds, bigger, as numbers fall, smaller. Good luck. What about theft? will someone be there daily?I know you will give it 110 percent. Good luck

 

[Pic IN the Casa]

Re: Decoy spread question

I've been duck hunting for 11 years (all public land) and never have understood decoy spreads yet.

Between dekes and too much calling on WMA's always leaves me scratching my head.

I understand what you are saying about the calling but what do you mean about the decoys?
Everyone should just have a few dozen or what?

****Disclaimer..... not being a turd, just curious.
I just love talking about duck stuff

I just haven't learned anything about spreads hunting public water. Some ppl have a dozen and a mojo and others have 900. Makes me wish I could hear what the ducks are thinking.

 

[RUGER]

Re: Decoy spread question

I've been duck hunting for 11 years (all public land) and never have understood decoy spreads yet.

Between dekes and too much calling on WMA's always leaves me scratching my head.

I understand what you are saying about the calling but what do you mean about the decoys?
Everyone should just have a few dozen or what?

****Disclaimer..... not being a turd, just curious.
I just love talking about duck stuff

I just haven't learned anything about spreads hunting public water. Some ppl have a dozen and a mojo and others have 900. Makes me wish I could hear what the ducks are thinking.

Where I hunt there are a few spots you need a big spread and others all you need is a few dozen
If I knew what a duck was thinking I would be a millionaire lol



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[Pic IN the Casa]

Re: Decoy spread question

I get it. I hunt Cheatham where 40 blinds are almost within shot distance in some cases.

 

[BlackEagle1]

Re: Decoy spread question

8-10 ice eaters???!?? I hope they have real power ran to that spot.

I'd put it on them and run all the motion I could. No wind days are a struggle no matter what you have out.

 

[Pic IN the Casa]

Re: Decoy spread question

The most ingenious ice eater I saw was a boat motor that someone had on a post and it tuned so low that it literally turned the prop about every 5 seconds. They rigged a gas line from the motor to their blind hooked up to a 30 gallon tank.

 

[tickweed]

Re: Decoy spread question

Decoy numbers are all about visibility. ducks see large groups on refuges, and I believe most times relate it to safety, food. also, usually lots of noise. ever watch ducks, geese on a refuge, very vocal, then all of a sudden they go quite. all come to alert. heads up. when relaxed, they can be a loud bunch with big numbers. As I stated before, they seem to know if numbers look natural. they imprint refuges, and these they use yr after yr. Yes, my friend I mentioned in an earlier post who runs 8 ice eaters does have electricity. I have had yrs we ran big numbers, 1200-1500 at Harmons creek, lots of goose deks, but we had to work them daily , which took sev hrs. floating deks tangle quickly, and if not worked it makes the spread look awful. now we run probably 350-450, and its still a lot of work. often you hear about the robo debate. most guys run 1 or 2. I believe sometimes they figure this out, but the big spreads, running 20 plus seem to fool them better. mainly because they don't see this often. I believe, as for 6 deks or 1000 deks, you have to make it look and sound real. but then again, if you are where they want to be, it doesn't matter. Did I mention, 3 weeks from today?