Decoy formations...

[bluwtr]

Hey guys what would you consider to be the best decoy spread? The J, the C, the U etc.? Is one better than another depending on the situation? We have always used the J, and to be frank, it doesn't seem to be worth a crap. It may be because by the time the ducks get down here on the coast, the have seen 1/2 million J-hooks.

Wes

[Greenhead22]

Most of the time I use either the "U" or "V" spread. Sometimes I'll have two separate spreads depending on the wind.

[MSDuckmen]

Just go out to your local mallard pond and watch the ducks for a minute. Let me know when you see them in a J,C,V formation.

If you would ever just look at the birds when they are in a group you would not need to ask such a question. Let nature show you how to place them and don't listen to what someone else thinks is the right way to set dekes out when the only way to set them out is the ducks way. [img]images/smiles/icon_rolleyes.gif[/img]

[Welldoggie]

My experience is that it is not the shape, but the place you put them. They generally want to land into the wind and it seems to vary with the time of the season whether they like to land in open spaces among the dekes or overshoot and land beyond (the later in the season, the more likely to land beyond/perimeter vs. among a loose spread. had success last year late by putting the dekes where you didn't want the ducks to land and setting up to shoot in adjacent open water.

We use a small spread (less than 2 dozen) with a couple tied to a jerk string. That makes it easy to change and move after you see what they want to do. Also, makes for good arguments with your buddy as to why the ducks flared at the last second...dekes in wrong place, face not covered, saw you pull the jerk string, blew a piece poptart in call, etc.

I don't think there is a magic decoy spread shape...more important to put ripples on the water and call just enough.

[eyeinthesky]

I think welldoggie has a point with where and how to put them out. If you watch some hunting videos they don't have any rhyme or reason as to where they put theres. Most of the time they just scatter them out and let the duck decide where he wants to land. Me personally I like to have two groups with a strip between them but a lot depends on the wind and size of hunting area. But the best decoy spread is what ever you are using when you are killing ducks on that day. Just my opinion I could be wrong

[bear]

The number one rule is that Ducks will land into the wind. Your placement should be up wind of where they will land.
I have tried all the shape placements over the years, but what works for me is to seperate your decoys into 2 equal groups with a space in the middle in front of your blind.

If you use a spinner, place it with a few decoys (2 or 3) in the space in the middle of your 2 groups of decoys and in front of you hide. Put your caller down when they are decoying in! Quit blowing!

Good luck and remember, It is called Hunting, not Killing. Enjoy the Hunt! [img]images/smiles/icon_razz.gif[/img]

[bluwtr]

Thanks guys I appreciate the reponses. I have also noticed in videos and such that the guides are just throwing the decoys out. I believe that would be most natural. As Duckmen said, never seen ducks in a U or C or what ever.

Thanks again and have a great season.

WEs

[Blackduck]

If I'm hunting in a hole that has fairly tight timber or vegetation around it I mostly just chunk 'em. If it is more open then I try and create some type of kill zone placing more birds near grass or treetops than not. If it is windy then I tend to string them out more along the bank. I don't think that I have ever purposely used a J, C, U formation.
Books have been written about this. Watch the wind.

[mallardchaser]

I agree w/ bear. 2 separate groups w/ a hole in the middle, not too far apart w/ a couple in between. As duckmen said, you see ducks on the water , they don't ever seem to leave a hole, they just land all around each other.

[professor]

I typically put the blocks in two groups with a "landing strip" in the middle. Also, I always make sure that some of the dekes are very close to the blind. It's a good idea to make the edge of spread no farther out than the range of your shotgun in case the birds decide to land at the perimeter.

[damnyankee]

I like to put the decoys at least 15-20 yards away from the blind, in two groups.
I want the ducks looking at the dekes and not me.
I usaully leave a hole in the front of the blind, this gives me a chance to get a good look at the birds from a lot of differant angles.
I will put my furthest out of shooting range. Even if the birds want to land there they will most always make a swing or two around the spread.
But everyone seems to do it a little differant. I can however guarantee if you get out and move your decoys around, you will see birds.

[ November 05, 2001: Message edited by: damnyankee ]

[goosebruce]

Set your deeks for the shot. That pass right before they land is genrally when you should shoot them, set your deeks for that pass, and the duck will be where you want them for the shot. If that means a formation, fine. If that means 40 yards is the longest deek, fine. But don't get hung up on those things. The wind and the shot are all that matter, with ducks not looking directly into your hide being the next factor. Ducks dont generally land in with thick ducks, nor do they fly low over them. Ducks WONT fly low or land next to geese (or goose deeks) but will almost always try to land near them. Sometimes deeks attract, sometimes they block part of your hole you cant shoot to, sometimes they simply make the birds slide in front of your blind for the shot, sometimes all 3. Ive set deeks out of range, to curve ducks in front of the blind. Ive set deeks way upwind, to kill stikish ducks that slide off them. Remember, deeks do more than look like ducks, they determine how ducks will work you. Set your deeks for the shot, and remember duck nature, and you're set. And when the wind changes, fix your spread, immediately. Dont wait till you've pissed half a morning off working ducks to where you cant shoot them, or worst, cripple them.
Hunting videos are entertainment. If you are watching them for learning to duck hunt, brother you got a long row to hoe. My adivce is to go watch ducks, and pay attention to how they work other ducks. Pay REAL close attention. Details kill ducks, not video cameras. travis

[no angel]

the j,c and u deal? i don't have a clue as to what dumbass came up with that but i have been doing this since i was 6 and that gives me about 25 yrs of know how and my dad was one of the greatest duck hunters i have ever seen so i learned from the best and always killed ducks just like he did !!!!! i can't ever recall anything but throwing them out (decoys) and calling like he understood what to say to the ducks. over the years you learn what works and what doesn't. wind is a big factor and you can tell about the spread within the first flight if the ducks like it or not. if they circle several times and then land 200 yds off you ain't right, but when they fall right in unseen you are in for a good day. we ran into this last year several times. we put out about 50 dekes and 1st flight flew over and made 2 loops and floated with the wind about 200 yds and landed. i got up moved spread open a little came back tried to light a cigarette and loooked up and 20 ducks were cupped in the decoys before i could even realize what happened. a jerk string works wonders even if the wind is blowing 90 to nothing because you can pull hard and make some big splashes and the ducks love it because it looks natural!!!! i used to go out and listen to ducks on the water calling and noticed this darting chasing motion and it has been one of my proven tachtics ever since!!! all you have to do is go out and watch live animals work and you have found out the secret and pay close attention to calling and when they call to really be sucessful. i have it down pat but still go everday before season opens and watch just to see where the ducks set up in a field and what they do when ducks start working. try it and you will be amazed at how much you can learn in a few trips!!!!!

[Anatidae]

Getcha one them 'gillie' suits and a pair o' chest waders. Stand out in the water 'bout waist deep ( [img]images/smiles/icon_rolleyes.gif[/img]waste deep if you hunt sewage lagoons [img]images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]) Stick a Moto duck on yo head, and turn it on. Wiggle yo butt to make ripples in the water (to simulate the down-draft from the wing strokes). 'Don't even bother with a duck call.

For realism.....prop one foot up on a 5-gallon bucket and cover your thigh with vegetation. Eventually, a nutria will crawl up on yo leg to take a poop. [img]images/smiles/icon_sad.gif[/img]Really? Man....'talk 'bout REALISM! [img]images/smiles/icon_eek.gif[/img]WOW!, I'll have to try THAT! [img]images/smiles/icon_eek.gif[/img]

Man, ya'll got 'bout 2 more weeks o' this......somebod take me huntin', QUICK!

[dos gris]

watch out for the "Nutria Itch". [img]images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]