Conference vmsnet::hunting$note:hunting

42.0. "DECOYING BASICS" by NEBVAX::PAPPALARDO () Wed Sep 30 1987 15:07

    Duck's open on 10/5 in N.H. so here are some tips on Decoying basics.
    
    
    *        layout V pattern
     *       +++++++++++++++++
    *        *                   *
            *                   *
            *                  *
           * *                *
              *              *
                *           *
                  *       *
                    * * * 

       ^ wind         0 layout boatblind

                             

    ****************************************************************************
          *  *                  *  * *
                                                 the "U" pattern
          * *                 * *   *            ++++++++++++++++
           * *
            * *        * *     * *
           * *          *     * *
            *    *
                  *     *  *  *
               * *  * * * *   * 
                                       ^ wind
    ____________      O blind          |
                ---------------------------------
                                             
    
    A great deal has been written about  the fine points of decoy placement
    patterns.in my experience,however,following a few basic rules about
    decoy placement will sucker ducks in grand style.real live ducks
    never cluster on water in totally predicatable patterns,and
    consequently the same airborne birds do not require blueprint perfect
    decoy sets.the first basic thing to remember when setting decoys
    is the fact that puddle ducks require different decoy sets than
    diving ducks.puddlers typically approach random clusterings of
    decoys,provided these decoys are spaced naturally with patches of
    open water in between to allow easy landing.by contrast ,diving
    ducks display a notable tendency to follow geometric lines on
    land,water and shorelines,edges where shallow water plunges suddenly
    to deeper,darker water,lines where ice meets water,ect..as a
    result,divers will often wing to your gun along a straight or curving
    line of decoys.but enough of divers,i think most of you are interested
    in puddle duck hunting so here go's.
    
    In calm weather,puddle duck spreads should consist of several decoy
    clusters.each cluster should have two to five decoys spaced three
    to six feet apart.larger spaces say 10 to 15 feet should separate
    the various clusters in your spread.Larger water pockets within
    a spread are where ducks are apt to land.
    
    In very windy weather,puddle ducks cluster more tightly and tend
    to hug upwind shorelines for protection this is also true on very
    cold days as they share warmth.with this in mind hunters should
    tighten their basic spreads in gusty condtions to ensure realism
    and place flying ducks at ease.Decoys in windy weathy clusters should
    be 1 to 3 feet apart with spaces of 5 or 10 feet between.if you
    feel more comfortable placing decoys in a geometric,stylized pattern
    such precision will in no way hamper your performance.Two time
    tested patterns that have worked for me are the V and U patterns,the
    V and U consist of decoy CLUSTERS roughly forming these letters
    of the alphabet,the hunter and the blind are placed on the bottom
    of the letter.In theory ,ducks attempt to land in the wide open
    centers of such patterns.with these two sets the central patches
    of water should be 15 to 25 feet across.I dont want to get into
    diving ducks but would like to mention that the best pattern to
    use in decoy set up is the traditional MARKET GUNNERS fishhook or
    J pattern.                 
    A final note on decoy setups for ducks.most beginning and intermediate
    shooters have difficulty judging maximum shotgun range.for this
    reason such hunters should measure 40-45 yds from their shore blind
    or boat to a clearly visible decoy,cluster of shallow water weeds
    or a some kind of marker that you can create.if you set out decoys
    properly and use these decoys to judge shooting range,you'll be
    well on your way to daily bag limits of ducks.
    
    Good Luck,
    RIck........