[buster_22]

I need some help, I have about 30 or so rigged up decoys with weights, and then I have two lines each with about 45 decoys on them. My question is how do I go about setting them up to make most appealing? What I usually do is make a runway lane with my two lines and then set up like a U-shape with the other various weighted decoys. Is this good? I have always done it this way. i do ok through the season but I just wanted to know if there was a better way to set the dekes out, so I can get more birds in. One more thing where do you guys set your Pintail, and canvasback decoys. Where I hunt those two decoys are like confidence decoys and birds always seem to want to go right to them any help I where I put them? Thanks for your time........ and shoot em' up.

 

[buster_22]

Come on guys help me out, how do you go about setting your spread up????? :help: :help: :help:

 

[Ducksbeus]

Momma always said " If it aint broke, dont fix it." Sounds like ya got a good enough spread. We always just sprinkled the pintail dekes throughout the spread. May want ta get ya one of them wave makers and put it in the middle of a small Family group. Y'all have a nice day!

:salude:

 

[buster_22]

Are the pintail decoys used for confindence? Where I hunt thats where the birds always land. I here people all the time say they set their spread up in a V-pattern, or a J-shape etc.... i really don't know what to follow or why there are so many different varations? :getdown:

 

[ks_waterfowler]

I killed birds for I even knew about the U or J shape. They will all kill birds, it is just what you prefer. Her I start with a u. Later in the season the birds see tons of those spreads to to hunting pressure, so we use an unique spread that looks different and sets us apart. Find one that works for you and you can always make variations. We usually rearrange decoys 3-4 times when we are hunting to get them just where we want them to put the birds in our face.

 

[buster_22]

Hey thanks, That advice i'm sure will help. :salude:

 

[quackkiller]

I've never really used a pattern or shape. In the timber I just throw about 9-12 mallards out in a small group and they work great right in to it. And in the backwater I usually just have a group of about 7 to left and 7 to the right and leave a space in the middle and they come straight to it.

 

[351w]

hello guys newbie here but let me ask a few different questions and see what i can stir up.
i have read alot on decoy patterns and i do kill birds but every yr i do seem to learn something new from my experiences.
i will say that your best pattern is one that will have an open hole or landing zone but here is my question that i havent been able to answer yet.
what are your opinions on facing some dekes in opposing directions when you are on a river with moving water.
i always use this type pattern but have not proved that it is hurting or helping me.
one time i heard a guy say that if your dekes all face the same direction it shows instabilty in the flock and indicated a possible alarm and they would be ready to take flight.
so what are sme of your opinions !

 

[LostDuck]

as far as decoys faceing i do bouth. On calm dayes with out much wind i will face them in diferent directions . but on realy windy dayes i face them all the same direction . I find they ride funny in the wind when tied backwards. thats just personal preferance.

 

[psuedo quacker]

When I'm hunting open water for bluebills i often use the J shapes for my spread. I've spent considerable time just watching the rafts of divers on open water and they most pattern the j look. I set them in a j on top of another j ontop of another. C__C__C__This is the horizontal look. By the way don't make them line up perfectly. off set them about 4 feet from each other. When you look at the spread from a distance it looks like a ton of birds. Once they see them your usually all set. You can also set up your boat just ouside of the last j and still get some great shooting. It works for us and like someone else said keep making adjustments when enough birds have seen them and don't show any interest. :thumbsup:

 

[DucSmoker]

I suggest that if the ducks want to light in the pintails, put the pintails were you want the ducks to land. Every thing else sounds like its a ok. Keep on keepin on. :thumbsup: :smile:

 

[Humboldt Drake]

i suggest making a runway then split up your other 30 decoys into families of 3-5 around the runway

 

[Live to Hunt & Fish]

I say go with what you are doing? But you could also widen your V a little to make a more welcoming lane for them. You may have it wide enough already though. What type of water are you hunting?

 

[buster_22]

small lakes, sometimes lake erie in the marsh....... :getdown: