Decoy placement in spreads

[Brittany Sorensen]

Hi all! I haven't been duck hunting long and am confused about spreads. I could kill a honker for you but ducks just baffle me. I have mainly hunted ducks on the river and have heard different oppinions on decoy placement. I've heard to put them in the nice calm pools, but have seen many a hunter place the decoys right into the current. I was also wondering whether you put the decoys in tight family groups or spread them out with 2-4 feet inbetween them. If anyone could help me with this that would be great. I am trying to get better tactics for the upcoming season. <Brit>

[SwampHunter]

I agree with Dick on just about everything.
95% of the time if I set my decoys in a river, most if not all will be in the current.

[Mark Brendemuehl]

Brit- we space about 2-4 feet apart or so except right where we want them to land. There (making an opening) we pile more blocks in and put them closer together in some cases. The idea about the keel off center to 90 degrees works great as does drilling a hole in the middle of a keel to attach your line there. That to will give it a more side to side motion. You can also try a trailer decoy tied to the back end of an anchored decoy. A decoy on an anchor line doesnt get much movement, but the decoy on the BACK of the one anchored has less resistance so they move more.
As far as where to place them, scout it out, and stick them how you see them!
Mark

[Stoegerman]

I hunt the South Platte in CO. My partner and I set up 70 dekes between the two of us. You have to remember that the ducks are on some sense of alert at all times. You have to put the dekes in a place where they can be seen from a distance. We try to put our dekes into two groups with about a twenty yard distance between the two groups. One thing that we always do, is to put Drakes at the head, sides, and tailend of the groups. We do keep the species together.

We do try to put the dekes away from the banks, real ducks in the area do avoid the steep banks that are real close to the river. I guess this is to keep from a predator from pouncing on them from overhead.

[Brittany Sorensen]

Hey guys! Thank you so much for all of your replys. They will all help this honker hunter to learn some of the finer points of duck hunting.
Stoegerman, I also hunt the platte in Co. Around where do you hunt? <Brit>

[Stoegerman]

Mostly the SWA's around Brush and Fort Morgan. I am trying to find some spots around Brighton. How about you?

[Brittany Sorensen]

Stoegerman, I also have hunted the SWA's, very little though, maybe twice for decoying. I have been to the SWA's by Sterling. There are alot of 'em in there. Besides that I hunt with my Dad and his buddy on hunting club properties. <Brit>

[Brittany Sorensen]

Stoegerman, I completely spaced on telling you around where the hunting club props are...they are all over. <Brit>

[Stoegerman]

Trying to find a club in CO that doesn't cost you an arm and leg is to do here. I drive 104 miles from my house right now, I don't think that I can drive the extra hour to Sterling. I like looking at my eyelids too much as it is. Is your dad in High Plains Sportsman or CWA?

[Brittany Sorensen]

Stoegerman...I definitely agree with you on the arm and leg thing..your membership could even prevent you from buying the new GHG decoys you just HAVE to have. Umm...our buddy member of CWA.
<Brit> [img]smile.gif[/img]