Decoys

## Definition

A decoy is usually a person, device, or event meant as a distraction, to conceal what an individual or a group might be looking for. Decoys have been used for centuries most notably in game hunting, but also in wartime and in the committing or resolving of crimes.

From Wikipedia.

## In Game Usage

Decoys are supporting equipment for

* Waterfowling
* Turkey hunting

## General Decoy Characteristics and Usage

* Decoys are placed in shallow water (ducks) or on fields (geese).
* All decoys for the same type of animal have the same luring effect.
* The direction at which the decoys look does not matter.
* When you deploy a decoy, another one of the same type will be put from your backpack into your hands. This makes it easy to deploy multiple decoys in the same location.
* Decoys have some differences to the baiting method:
	+ Decoys do not require a time to gain attraction. They fully attract right after being placed on the map.
	+ Decoys have no influence on the spawning and do not promote more spawned animals around them.
	+ There is no shooting penalty that will drop the decoys' attraction level. They will always be fully attracting no matter how many animals you shoot in their vicinity.
	+ There is also no deploy penalty. Deploying will not spook any animals.
* As any other persistent "world item", decoys stay on the map after leaving the hunting session.
* There is a limit of 200 decoys per reserve.
* Decoys that are close to each other can be seen on the map as one icon.
* Pay attention to how far apart you set up your waterfowl decoys.
	+ If you see two icons then your decoys are far enough apart to be treated as two separate spreads. If birds fly above both spreads the chance is higher that they will land at one of them compared to if they fly over a single spread.
	+ However, you will have a greater area to cover since the birds can decide to land at either spread and if they are too far apart it may be tricky to call them in with the close range caller without leaving your blind.

When placing a decoy

* Use the mouse wheel to change the distance.
* Use the right mouse button to rotate it.
* Use the left mouse button to place it.

## Duck Decoys

Duck decoys can be used to increase the chance of ducks breaking off from high flying flocks, and attempting to land, as they fly over an area. The effect of multiple decoys in the same area stack up to a max of 24 regular decoys. Additional decoys added after 24 have no effect on probability.

Characteristics:

* The "break off probability" increases with every decoy that is placed within in a group.
* With 24 decoys the maximum stacked decoy effect in an area is reached for a particular species.
* The position of a duck decoy group is shown on the map in game and on the website with a duck icon. There will also be a number showing the amount of decoys within that group.
* Male and female decoys have the very same luring effect.
* The effect area is a circle with a radius of approx. 100m.
* It does not matter how the decoys are placed as long as they show as one icon (ideally of 24) on the map.
* Duck decoys can only be placed in shallow water, not on solid ground.
* The use of a long range caller adds up with the decoys and produces even more attraction. However using many callers at the same time (i.e. in multiplayer) will not increase the attraction any further.
* Capacity cost: 0.25 units

### Mallard Decoys

24 of these decoys have an attraction effect of

* 100% on Mallards
* 50% on American Black Ducks
* 50% on Northern Pintails
* 50% on Gadwalls

 You will not find the info on 50% attraction in the store, but it was shared at the release of the new duck species.

### American Black Duck Decoys

24 of these decoys have a 100% attraction effect on American Black Ducks, but not on any other duck species.

### Northern Pintail Decoys

24 of these decoys have a 100% attraction effect on Northern Pintails, but not on any other duck species.

### Gadwall Decoys

24 of these decoys have a 100% attraction effect on Gadwalls, but not on any other duck species.

Buy single decoys and make sure to check out the bundles!

## Spinning Wings Decoys

* Spinning wings decoys can only be placed in shallow water, not on solid ground.
* The area of effect around a decoy spread is typically wetlands in a radius of about a 100m.
* They have a 100% attraction for its own species and 50% attraction for other species.
* With 4 spinning decoys the maximum stacked decoy effect in an area is reached for its species.
* 1 spinning decoy has the attraction effect of 6 normal decoys.
* 1 spinning decoy will show as "1" on the map. This is the number of decoys, not the attraction.
* Up to 200 decoys can be set up in each reserve at the same time.
* Capacity cost: 0.50 units

### Models

Buy single decoys and make sure to check out the bundles!

### 100% Coverage Setup

This is an example for how to reach 100% (actually over 100% in theory for some species) by setting up 7 flapping wing decoys.

## Canada Goose Decoys

Canada Goose decoys can be used to increase the chance of birds breaking off from high flying flocks, and attempting to land, as they fly over the fields of Hirschfelden. The effect of multiple decoys in the same area stack up to a max of 24 regular decoys. Additional decoys added after 24 have no effect on probability.

The use of the Long Range Caller as well as the Canada Goose Flag Lure adds to the decoy effect and increases the attraction. Although only one caller can be active at any given time.

Characteristics:

* The "break off probability" increases with every decoy that is placed within in a group.
* With 24 decoys the maximum stacked decoy effect in an area is reached.
* The position of a duck decoy group is shown on the map in game and on the website with a goose icon. There will also be a number showing the amount of decoys within that group.
* The three types of decoys all have the very same luring effect.
* The effect area is a circle with a radius of approx. 100m.
* Goose decoys can only be placed on solid ground, not in shallow water.
* Capacity cost: 0.25 units

Buy single decoys and make sure to check out the bundles!

## Canada Goose Flapping Wings Decoys

Decoys can be used to increase the chance of birds breaking off from high flying flocks, and attempting to land, as they fly over an area. This Canada Goose flapping wings decoy can only be placed on land.

The effect of multiple decoys in the same area stack up to a max of 24 regular decoys, where this flapping wings decoy is equal to that of 6 normal decoys. Additional decoys added after 24 have no effect on probability. The area of effect around a decoy spread is typically fields in about a 100 m radius of the decoys.

The use of  Long Range Caller and the  Flag Lure stack with decoys. Although only one caller can be active at any given time.

Characteristics:

* The "break off probability" increases with every decoy.
* The probability increase per flapping decoy is 6/24 of decoy max (maximum stacked decoy effect in an area).
* With 4 decoys the maximum stacked decoy effect in an area is reached.
* The effect area is a circle with a radius of approx. 100m.
* Flapping wings decoys can only be placed on solid ground, not in water.
* Up to 200 decoys can be set up in each reserve at the same time.
* Capacity cost: 0.50 units

Buy single decoys and make sure to check out the bundles!

## Canada Goose Setup Examples

Thanks to forum contributor Swampfox for these examples

*You can try different methods and tactics that will also work to your benefit.*

*One thing that I like to do once I have placed my decoys and blind setup, is to spend some time just observing where the majority of geese land during a hunt, or on several hunts, then make adjustments as to where the blind can be located for the best shooting, as they usually follow the pattern when preparing to land. But of course, there are always exceptions to the rules, when it comes to the virtual data as to where the birds "decide" to land.*

*Here are a couple of setups that I often use where I've had success. The distances from decoys to blind are variable and nothing is set in stone. Hope they might be helpful and give you some ideas to play around with.*

## Turkey Decoys

Turkey decoys work a little differently than the previously released waterfowl decoys. While the latter ones are primarily used to get high-flying flocks to land, the Turkey decoys are in the first place applied for attraction and distraction purposes. The attraction component is similar to that of scent and callers, however detection is affected by the birds’ field of view, which means that they need to be fairly close to, and have an unobstructed view of the spread to have a chance of being attracted.

While this can be considered a serious downside compared to the traditional  Box Caller, there are some very nice advantages to using decoys. Turkeys stay longer at decoys than they do at a call location and, since they do not require active engagement from a hunter, decoys can also be used to draw the birds away from hunters rather than straight to them, which naturally decreases the chance of detection as they approach.

The final and possibly most important advantage to using decoys vs. a caller is that in addition to attraction they also provide distraction. Birds attracted by decoys are highly focused on their target and thus are less likely to detect hidden hunters. This can be thought of as an additional camo bonus being applied to hunters for as long as a bird is at the decoy site.

The box caller will attract but not override the decoys. The intention is that the turkeys will come to a call until they detect the decoys. They will then be attracted to them and hang around the decoys even if the caller is used again.

The effect of multiple decoys simultaneously detected by a Turkey stack up to a max of 3 regular decoys. Additional decoys detected after 3 have no effect on attraction probability or distraction.

Characteristics:

* Attraction probability increase: 1/3 of decoy max each.
* Distraction increase 1/3 of decoy max each.
* Both male and female decoys work the same, but if a male decoy is present it will have priority over female decoys.
* Turkey decoys can only be placed on solid ground, not in shallow water.
* Capacity cost: 0.25 units

## Wood Grouse Decoys

These decoys can be used to attract and distract Wood Grouse as they get close enough to visually detect them. Attraction involves Wood Grouse moving up to the decoys and staying there for a period of time while distraction can be thought of as additional camo being added to the hunter while the Wood Grouse is attracted. Decoys combined with the Box Caller, make the perfect setup for close-range hunting with weapons such as bows & shotguns.

Characteristics:

* Wood Grouse decoys can only be placed on land.
* Attraction probability increase: 1/3 of decoy max each.
* Capacity cost: 0.25 units

Buy single decoys and make sure to check out the bundles!

## Motion Predator Decoys

Motion Predator Decoys can be used to attract certain animals within a 50 meters (~164 ft.) radius. Animals will come close to the decoy and stay there for a limited period of time. While the animal is attracted to the decoy its sense for detecting the hunter are lowered. This effect combined with the long range attraction of a Predator "Jackrabbit" Caller make a good setup for close range hunting with weapons such as bows and shotguns.

Characteristics:

* Attracts Coyote, Red Fox and Arctic Fox.
* Occasionally attracts Bobcat and Eurasian Lynx.
* Multiple decoys in the same spot do not increase the chance of luring the animals.
* Can be placed on land only.
* Capacity cost: 0.5 units

Buy single decoys and make sure to check out the bundles!