Minimum number of duck decoys

[Ryan R]

Can you get away with just 12 duck decoys and still have a good hunt?

[sheephunter]

On small water you bet!

[Drewski Canuck]

Early season, and dumb ducks, yes, a dozen will work. In a Field EARLY that the birds really want, yes. After the birds start roosting in the hundreds, and the fields become harvested, and the birds have the choice of fields, maybe, but not likely. When the birds are on big water, and are coming back from feed in the hundreds, NO.


As a matter of policy, get a spinning wing decoy. They do really work, and will make up for a lack of decoys, whether it is a water shoot or a field shoot.

For late season where you are trying to pull in a flock of 10 - 30 birds, water or land, numbers do matter. Numbers is safety and confidence to an approaching flock. Numbers is also attraction to a crossing flock looking for a field or roost. I have about 4 dozen floaters, and a spinning wing decoy. I have been in a virtual duck tornado, and sometimes I think I need even more decoys as the birds won't give the time of day when the flocks start getting in the hundreds.

Drewski

[steve]

The best shoot I ever had, my buddies and I still talk about it to this day. Was over 5 or 6 floaters and a robo. On small water you should be fine. Be where the birds want to be.

[JohnB]

You could also add a few goose floaters with your spread; this will help birds build confidence in your spread. Along with doz. duck decoys and spin wing and you are good to go.

Good luck.

[nube]

I never use more than 12 in 95% of my shoots with clients. Usually 6-8 with a spinner and a pulsator for movement. Small setup is key. Shoot our 32 or 40 birds in 20-30 min and get our before the ducks get hot and heavy and shoot it again 2or 3 days later. If you get out soon enough and let things rest you can get half dozen shoots out of a good spot and kill a couple hundred birds out of it easy. Key is to be small and quick in and out

[Ryan R]

Great, thanks everyone.

I guess I'll have to get a spinning wing decoy.

I've got a couple ancient goose decoys but they're some kind of cardboard and don't seem to have whethered very well. I'm going to touch up the paint and coat them with a sealant before I take them out.