Puddle Duck Spread Question

[Mallards-N-Muskies]

I have read two theories regarding decoying puddle ducks in marshes.

One theory is to match what you see, which is the theory I have used in the past but it doesn't seem to be as effective as it once was because everyone does the same thing.

The other theory I have heard about is to use a majority of black ducks and pintails because of their visibility factor from a distance with a few mallards mixed in.

The majority of the areas I hunt have mallards, teal, wood ducks and the occasional off-the-wall diver.

I know there is no replacement for scouting and calling but when ducks become call shy, I usually keep my call in my pocket or call softly or use a mallard drake call.

My current spread consists of 3 dozen mixed mallards (including full bodies along the shore), teal and wood ducks; 18 Canada goose floaters and 2 dozen mixed cans, bluebills and buffies for divers.

I have never seen a pintail or black duck in the areas I hunt. Would I be wasting my time and money by putting out a spread of black ducks, pintails with a few mallards mixed in? Is it an effective way to attract ducks considering the circumstances listed above?

Let me know what you thinK.

Thanks!

[Eric Bragg]

We have a marsh up in Nebraska and we just throw about 24 mallards out there and a few pintal for visablety.Some times we throw a couple geese out there.

[Rich Good]

I mix my decoys puddle ducks are the only we use in the area we hunt. I compose all available species I see in the area. I set them in clusters with usually 2 larger bunches one on either side of our blind. I always place 2 or 3 sometimes up to 5 right smack in the middle in the large opening I created with the larger bunches. Most of our spread are Mallards but as I said above I do mix in GHG Shovelers, gadwalls, wigeons, black ducks and pintails (teal and wood ducks early in the year.) Then just off and out 20 yards from the last duck we run 30 GHG Oversize Canada Goose Floaters. We blend them into the field spread we run.

[Jason Connellee]

Match your Hatch. Scout the area you intend to hunt. See how the ducks are using those areas. Mimic their activity. As for a additional species of ducks, I would suggest Baldpates(Widgeon). I know down here in MD, guys who I know use a lot that species due to the fact that they have a lot color and brightness.

Utilize your goose decoys. These sit higher and will get the attention of birds flying by. Put them in an area where they can be seen without a problem.

[Goose Junkie]

I think it would be a waste of time putting out blacks and pintails if you don't see those species of duck in your area. You already have some of the best decoys for visibility with the cans, bluebills, and bufflehead decoys that you already own. I would just run a string of those divers on the outside edge of your spread for the extra visibility.

[SnipeHntr]

I dont think people are talking about black ducks as the species of duck when they are talking visability . . . generally they mean a regular decoy painted totally flat black. I know in this age of ultra-realism, it isn't that popular, but my best days hunting ducks last year were over a spread consisting of 8-12 old decoys I painted flat black, and about 6 Hot Buy Mallards

[G Doyle]

Go for realism. Look at what kinds of ducks are around, hide good, and location is number 1 to any successful hunt. Your spread looks like it will work just fine.

Grant Doyle

[kontekontos]

Hunted over 8-10 coots and 2 mallards last year and smacked the ducks over it. Even the woodies would come into it . Pretty amazing. Went different than other in my area.

I don't think mixing in some pintails and other species are going to hurt you if you do. In the past on some refuge hunts and so forth we have mixed in other ducks that we don't see alot of and we have done fine with it.

Like you said. Just find a great location put out your spread and lay the hammer down on them.

konte