Early-phase teal decoys

[Xtremefowler]

I know avery made an early phase teal a couple years back and was just wanting to know if anyone knows were there are any for sale, if there are still any. Also if not would any body be willing to sell me just some greenwing teal hens or if I have to buy some new ones would anyone be willing to trade drakes for hens?

[oltcutdown]

I'd like the same info! Most of the time I'm using teal decoys is during teal season, and none of them have color yet.

[pintail21]

If memory serves I think they were discontinued because of lack of interest, I guess its one of those great ideas that never really caught on. But comeon, they're teal, normal decoys should work fine. I shot teal over bond decoys that look nothing like teal and they came in perfectly

[Xtremefowler]

Yea I know they were discontiued, just thought someone might have some laying around or would maybe want to trade some drakes for hens.

[Brett Beinke]

I am pretty sure that there are not any available anymore. Again, lack of sales. There are many great options for you to use. In MN, a lot of the birds are not anywhere near plumed out when the season begins. Like mentioned earlier try to just use mostly hen decoys with only a few others mixed in. This should help you in your realism.

[JEDJR]

I agree, we use afew bluewing drakes, and used the rest in hens, BW and GW with afew Mallard hens mixed in to represent the local Mottled ducks we have down here.
Since they are early migrators, afew Pintail hens would not hurt as well.

[Mark Brendemuehl]

Like Brett said, here in Minnesota, we rarely get birds with good color. Just put out more hens when you can. That seems to have worked well for us.
Mark

[Mallyard]

Here in KS.. We put out every decoy we own. We hunt a local public wetland and there are TONS of guys out there. But if the teal see a spread of around 250 decoys. They have no second thoughts. It's a pain to set up and pick up..

/\/\allyard

[Xtremefowler]

thanks for the suggestions guys. I already use lots of standard size hens mixed in with the teal decoys I have. Just trying to get more teal dekes that look more natural for the time of year, reason I am wanting hens. Plus I hunt alot of public hunting for teal and would rather carry in 4 to 5 doz. teal decoys rather than 4 to 5 doz. mallard dekes.

[duckhuntinfool]

If you are interested in trading a few drakes for hens I might be interested in trading a few.
I have a question for any one that has hunted Teal, as I never have. What calls or calls do you use for Teal.

[Xtremefowler]

Hey duckhuntinfool hit my Pm and let me know what you got and what you want to trade.

[waterfowler44]

here in MT we have almost all our birds in full plumage, the teal have full color, except for the blue wing, but the mallards and the pintail and all other except the widgeon are in full color!!!

[weedsnager]

never teal hunted either, but might have a chance this year, will teal decoy to a mallard spread?

[oltcutdown]

Duckinfool, buy a Haydels bluewing call and a pintail whistle. Duckcommander and Primos make a bluewing call also, but haven't seen anything work as well as the Haydel.

[Clayton]

I will second the Haydel blue-winged teal call.

[Rick Hall]

I've found "kacking" to beat whistling, hands down, and the Primos to be the most acurate of the hen teal calls mentioned. But I get both better tone and much more volume by trimming a RNT Quackhead's reed down to match the little birds'.

[denduke]

I third the Haydel's call and just use all your small hen decoys. I put a little baby blue tape on sides of mine. A few brilliant colored BWT drakes with the white head crest and the golden breast will make/em try to land right on them! They don't care about the eclipse. Not a real problem painting decoys different colors. Just get the stuff from Wallyworld and some small brushes; spray the big areas. My theory is exaggerate that species distinguishing markings a little. Down here in M'sipi it's all BWT in Sept. anyway....

Touching up decoys with paint seems like a yearly deal; don't see how you can avoid the necessity to brighten all of'em up each year at least the whites, etc.

[oltcutdown]

I put a little baby blue tape on sides of mine. Denduke, where did you find the blue tape?! Sounds like a better idea than painting greenwing hens.

[denduke]

I use the blue masking tape from the paint supply section. You'd be surprised how well it stays on. It's not as "baby" blue as I would like and have pulled off some and painted it lighter; then cut the strips and stick on...I do the same with some white and put some crescents on a bunch to look like dull drakes. My theory is that ducks see these particular specie traits and it makes them complete the deal!!! I hunt on a crowded lake and whoever's got the best spread is where they'll end up after everyone has had their chances. Used to use a floating/brilliantly painted BW drake spinner(made from dove spinner motor) and had problem not shooting it 'cause they would try to land on it. I have since retired it.

[oltcutdown]

Thanks man, I'll look into that.