Question on decoys

[spencerfarms]

I’m looking in to getting 2 dozen GHG decoys, so my question is, would you go with just mallard decoys, or would you spilt it up and put some different species in there also? Where I hunt we get a lot of different types of ducks, but mainly mallards.
Any information would be great.
Thank you in advance for your time.
Jordan Miller

[Jeremy Abbas]

Jordan,

My advice would be to add 1/2 dozen of the blackducks. An overhead view of blacks on the water really sticks out, you could also do the same with pintails for the same reason.

[Brett Beinke]

I would go with what birds are mostly in your area. A mix of mallards, pintail and a couple of blacks would really work well! I know blacks are not common but as Jeremy had mentioned they show up really well and are quite effective even in areas without any black ducks.

[George Kuhns]

In my early season bag, I carry a mix of woodies, mallards, pintail, and teal. I use mostly woodies, because the majority of the birds are woodies. Later, I add mallards and blacks, and remove the teal and woodies. It is important to adapt to the birds as they migrate through your area. I know opening day, where I am hunting, I will see mostly woodies. I am taking one dz. woodies, four teal drakes for color and size variation, three drake pins for color, plus there are pins in the area, and three mallards to set with my mojo. I always put out at least three mallards, even if there aren't many around, because the majority of the calling I do mimics the sound of a mallard hen. Also, mallards are like a universal that most puddle ducks are used to associating with. Keep in mind that the realism of the dekes, the spread placement, and your calling are all more important than numbers. I know a guy who kills geese and ducks all season long and never used more than 6 decoys at any given time. 6 dekes set in the spot the birds have been landing in will out draw 6 dz. dekes set nearby. I know because that same guy has outdrawn me hunting divers.
Good luck,
George

[spencerfarms]

Thanks for all your help.
Also, would wood duck decoys do the same at black ducks, or pintails? or should I just go with one of them?
Jordan Miller

[Keath Wetovick]

If i was u i would get a dozen life-sized series mallards, 1/2 a dozen pintails, and u can't forget 1/2 a dozen wigeon.

[ksgoosekilr]

Are you goign to be hunting a wide open lake or potholes? If it is potholes, I would get a dozen Lifesizes, 1/2 dozen gadwall, and 1/2 dozen of the black ducks. If it is a lake, get 1/2 doz. of Redheads or Canvs.(visibility) and then either oversize black ducks or mallards.

[Rick Hall]

I don't think anything adds the illusion of life to a spread as much as the mixed sizes of teal and big ducks.

[spencerfarms]

Thanks again
Jordan Miller