All drake decoy packs ... why no hens?

[Intedserve]

Hi.

While looking for diver decoys, I see some manufacturers selling Floating Common Goldeneye, Floating Buffleheads, Floating Ring-necks offered in drake only 6 packs. Why no hens?

Your insights would be appreciated.

 

[brybenn]

Generally the white patches on the drakes stand out more on the water

 

[Longwalker]

The same reason so many fishing lures are in bright, garish colours. They sell.

 

[hoytcanon]

Drakes show up better on the water and attract birds from a longer distance... particularly with low flying divers. I only run drakes on divers, but do have out blacks aswell on most occasions.

 

[badgreenbird]

Yes, it's annoying, and meant to attract the hunter and his wallet more so than ducks of whatever species. There is some credence to the higher visibility, but in a natural flock (not during the spring!), check to see how many full-plumage adult drake birds are present. Generally a minority or at best 50%. I wonder if this could work against success in attracting hard-hunted birds.. but divers generally aren't the smartest of ducks.

For the first month of duck season most birds are in eclipse plumage.. My decoy spreads are comprised of mostly all 'hen' (or faded drake) birds, since that's what they all look like!

 

[hoytcanon]

Yes, it's annoying, and meant to attract the hunter and his wallet more so than ducks of whatever species. There is some credence to the higher visibility, but in a natural flock (not during the spring!), check to see how many full-plumage adult drake birds are present. Generally a minority or at best 50%. I wonder if this could work against success in attracting hard-hunted birds.. but divers generally aren't the smartest of ducks.

For the first month of duck season most birds are in eclipse plumage.. My decoy spreads are comprised of mostly all 'hen' (or faded drake) birds, since that's what they all look like!

Most diver hunting takes place late in the season, the birds are in full plumage and catching their attention is the priority. The birds are shot far more in pass shooting and "swing-bys" rather than they are in cup-winged, pocketing birds, as in early season puddle duck hunting. After more than four decades of hunting and guiding for late season, big water divers, I am convinced of the benefit of drake spreads... puddle ducks and early season are a different story.

 

[track]

Well, no DEI go with the drakes, females excluded.

 

[brybenn]

There's old timers down my way that use white pop bottles as decoys. It works

 

[FatCatsDad]

Drakes are easier to see on dark water.

 

[buoff]

I use to hunt with 50 diver decoys, all drakes of different species. Ducks just come piling in during the peak migration. The result speaks for itself.