From: X005CB@tamvm1.tamu.edu (Chris Barnes)
Newsgroups: rec.hunting
Subject: Re: Duck hunting and decoys
Date: 17 Aug 92 15:04:49 GMT
Organization: Texas A&M University
Originator: hunting@osnome.che.wisc.edu

In article <1992Aug14.091335.17655@doug.cae.wisc.edu>
     rbutler@ncsa.uiuc.edu (Randy Butler) writes:
 
>
>In the last two years I have slowly become completely addicted to
>waterfoul hunting.
 
Slowly?  I was addicted after 15 minutes!
 
 
>Typically we hunt four people in two pairs.  We hunt in mid-southern
>Illinois at Little Grassy (flooded corn etc....).  Typically there are
>plenty of mallards and woodys.  In addition last year we saw a number
>of gadwals and widgeons.
 
Sounds like mostly puddle ducks.  IMHO, decoy spreads for puddle ducks
don't need to be any specific shape - leave those for the people that
hunt divers.  Just make sure you leave a landing area where you want the
ducks to land, and make sure that the decoys are visible (from the air).
 
 
>I am not really interested in the other
>"little" ducks like teal.  We do call (mallard calls) and are standing
>in water anywhere from a few feet to just below our waders.  The last
>two years we have used only mallard decoys and usually only two dozen
>total.
>
>I am interested in purchasing more decoys this year and I am
>interested in whether the species selection matters.  In other words
>should I just get all mallard decs or should I mix it up with woodys
>and gadwals?  Also I am curious if the coot decs offer any advantages.
 
2 dozen is kinda slim, but might be adaquate if there isn't much
hunting pressure in your area AND you can arrange them so that they
are visible (hunting in a flooded corn field, this shouldn't be too
much trouble).  I use a mixed bag of decoys, but then that's because
that's what I have.  I don't think it really makes a hoot's worth
of difference; after all, they don't have to land in them, just come
by for a good look.  I wouldn't buy the magnums though - I think
numbers are more important than size, and you can carry alot more
standard size decoys than big 'uns.  Suggestion - if there are different
types that are the same size, get different types (but no pintails- they
poke holes in decoy sacks!).  They're prettier to look at to the duck
hunter......
 
Something you didn't mention was wheather or not there were any geese
in the area.  If there are, throw in a few (8 ?) goose decoys - grouped
together, about 15 yards away from the dekes (off to the side).  They
will act as a confidance builder, and you never know when a big bird
will come in!
 
 
>Additionally I'd like some help with the organization of the spread.
Always make it look exactly like this    ;-)
legend:
  X-a person    V-decoy   t-weeds/corn stauks  G-goose decoy
 
             G G G
            G       G
            G  G    G                                         wind
                                                                |
                                                                |
                           tttttt                               v
   t t  t  t   t   t t   t t X X t  t  t t  t   t   t   t
          V   V            t/ttttt    V
      V             V       V (hen)                   V    t
    t                                    V         V
       V             t                     t    t           t
 
     t    V            t     t             t         t      t
 
      t    t    t                                      V   t
         V    V                t                     t           t
       t                              t           t     V   V
          V     V                                        t
        t        t  Vt  V   Vt                      V           t
                                  V    t  V   V  t          t
 
 
>One more thing, I own a wood duck call and I am using Haydel's tape to
>try and get the sound down but I was wondering if any of you out there
>have any experience with calling woodys.
 
I have a friend that I hunted with last year that used one, and it worke
wonders!  (of course, his brother WON the National duck calling contest
in Stuttgart, AK last year - so he's pretty darn good with it).  I tried
it a couple of times, and it seemed pretty easy to blow.
 
 
Good luck.
 
      ----------------------------------------------
Chris Barnes            |
x005cb@tamvm1.tamu.edu  |  Only 15 more days until the start of
(409) 846-3273 (home)   |  hunting season (in Texas) (dove).
(409) 845-8454 (work)   |  27 til teal season opens !