Duck decoying

[pigeonblasterian]

I have just got some full size and dipping duck decoys.I intend to have a go at decoying a few ducks.Do i just tie a bit of string to the decoys with a weight on one end to anchor them and throw them in the pond.Would i be better off attaching them with swivels.Not done this before so just hoping to get some tips from regular duck shooters.

[luvbus]

I use FUDs and the strings/weights are just tied on.

 

I have been considering using swivel/snap links so I can remove the strings & wind the on a hand line spool as the FUDs don't have a conventional keel to wind them on to. I use the deek's in two ways, sometimes individually anchored and sometimes mixed with a few in a 'string'. Using the snap links would make it easier to swap around.

 

Is it a private pond, are you going to rig your deek's up and leave them in the pond or will you pack up each time?

[anser2]

You have two choices . Tie the decoys direct to the line with the lead or clip them on. The advantage with the clip on method is you can chuck out one lead with its line and clip the decoys to loops along it making them easy to retrieve if the pond has a soft bottom. As for the dipping decoys , I am guessing you mean "duck bums ". I would take them back to th shop and swop them for propper decoys.

 

Just think of what a duck sees in the poor light after sunset. Stand 50 yards away and look at your "duck bums " at flight. Can you realy know what they are . All I see are some small lumps in the water and I very much doubt the duck know what they are ether. By the time the duck can see them for what they are they will be very close and you should have shot them. Full decoys are much better value for the money.

Edited December 7, 2010 by anser2

[Spaniel]

Master line clips from Tidepools, attached these to plastic coated washing line from the cheap shop works a treat.

I made up a couple of 3 and 4 clipped lines and just alternate the decoys i am using at the time

[pigeonblasterian]

I use FUDs and the strings/weights are just tied on.

 

I have been considering using swivel/snap links so I can remove the strings & wind the on a hand line spool as the FUDs don't have a conventional keel to wind them on to. I use the deek's in two ways, sometimes individually anchored and sometimes mixed with a few in a 'string'. Using the snap links would make it easier to swap around.

 

Is it a private pond, are you going to rig your deek's up and leave them in the pond or will you pack up each time?

It is a private pond but is shot by another couple of people as well.I would have to take the decoys out after each session.

[pigeonblasterian]

You have two choiced . Tie the decoys direct to the line with the lead or clip them on. The advantage with the clip on method is you can chuck out one lead with its line and clip the decoys to loops along it making them easy to retrieve if the pond has a soft bottom. As for the dipping decoys , I am guessing you mean "duck bums ". I would take them back to th shop and swop them for propper decoys.

 

Just think of what a duck sees in the poor light after sunset. Stand 50 yards away and look at your "duck bums " at flight. Can you realy know what they are . All I see are some small lumps in the water and I very much doubt the duck know what they are ether. By the time the duck can see them for what they are they will be very close and you should have shot them. Full decoys are much better value for the money.

I do mean "duck bums " and i only have a couple of pairs of these.The rest are full decoys and i only want a few ducks for the freezer so i will not be after them every week.

[pigeonblasterian]

Master line clips from Tidepools, attached these to plastic coated washing line from the cheap shop works a treat.

I made up a couple of 3 and 4 clipped lines and just alternate the decoys i am using at the time

I will have a look at the line clips.Do you just attach all the decoys to the line and throw it in holding the other end of the line.

[Scully]

We use both FUDs and full plastic shells.Ours is a private pond so the shells stay there all the time,but they're only in the margins anyhow,weighted down.As long as they're obvious to any ducks flying around,it doesn't seem to matter where they're situated,the ducks will come in anyhow if you're feeding it on a regular basis.

[pigeonblasterian]

We use both FUDs and full plastic shells.Ours is a private pond so the shells stay there all the time,but they're only in the margins anyhow,weighted down.As long as they're obvious to any ducks flying around,it doesn't seem to matter where they're situated,the ducks will come in anyhow if you're feeding it on a regular basis.

I am not feeding them i was just hoping to decoy a few.If i was to feed what do i want to be feeding them on.

[luvbus]

I am not feeding them i was just hoping to decoy a few.If i was to feed what do i want to be feeding them on.

 

Nicely rotted potatoes seem a popular choice.

[Dustem Dave]

barley in the margins no deeper than 9 inches but if there's other people shooting the pond aswell not worth the expense,it shouldn't be shot more than once a fortnight minimum, 3 weeks would be better .New moon usually the best time on a nice windy night

[Scully]

Both the above re' feed,plus anything you can get for free(especially if you're not the only ones shooting it)broken up crab apples are popular also.

[pigeonblasterian]

Nicely rotted potatoes seem a popular choice.

Do i put the potatoes in the pond or round it on the bank.

[pigeonblasterian]

barley in the margins no deeper than 9 inches but if there's other people shooting the pond aswell not worth the expense,it shouldn't be shot more than once a fortnight minimum, 3 weeks would be better .New moon usually the best time on a nice windy night

Its shot at different times and i only know it has been when i find the cartridge cases.I am sure the other shooters do not feed so i would probably be just wasting my money buying barley.

[pigeonblasterian]

Both the above re' feed,plus anything you can get for free(especially if you're not the only ones shooting it)broken up crab apples are popular also.

 

There are plenty of crab apples i could feed with but do i put them in the pond or round the sides.

[luvbus]

There are plenty of crab apples i could feed with but do i put them in the pond or round the sides.

 

In the margins & water where the ducks can reach them. You can put them on the bank but you might encourage rats etc.

 

Also if the pond has fish it it I would stay away from the apples and don't overdo the feeding as you don't want to poison the fish (obviously depending on the size of the pond!).

[Spaniel]

I will have a look at the line clips.Do you just attach all the decoys to the line and throw it in holding the other end of the line.

 

Yep, i have one end weighted with some fishing weights a couple of 4oz ones, you thread the master clips on and just crimp them in place, again available from Tidepool.

I then put metal rings on each decoy, you know like your car keys are attached to and then just clip the decoys onto the master clips, hold one end and throw them in.

[pavman]

Chap here is what i do and it works fine no tangles no hassle

 

full body ducks work best string a hen bird and 1 or 2 cock birds behind on tangle free plastic line with a weight mounted 3 times the depth of the water from the hen bird and a gap of about 2-3 feet to teh next bird, the attraction is all about what happens in nature boys after girls!

 

you can place of chuck them out at random if the water is to deep to wade retrieve them with a simple grapple made from a sea fishing weight with wire grabs on a line and just chuck it over to snag the line and pull the rig in one at a time, i set up between 50 and 100 deeks on the tidal river alde with highlander and it works a treat and saves a lot of hassle

 

good luck

[scolopax]

50 - 100 deeks, you must be using a boat Pavman !?!?

 

I've carried 30 half a mile across the shore and that started to get painful ! Love shooting over decoys, more the merrier but even three or four can make the difference between a duck in the bag and a blank flight.

[pigeonblasterian]

Thanks for all the advice that has been given.I will have a go for a few ducks in the next couple of weeks.Thats if i can get to the ponds if the snow is not too deep.

[pavman]

50 - 100 deeks, you must be using a boat Pavman !?!?

 

I've carried 30 half a mile across the shore and that started to get painful ! Love shooting over decoys, more the merrier but even three or four can make the difference between a duck in the bag and a blank flight.

 

yep