Clear plastic on a dry field to simulate a pond?

MD

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Have you ever put clear plastic on a dry field to simulate a pond?

I hunt a potato field that produces a lot of ducks when there are puddles of water on it.

It's been dryish the past week so I was wondering if I could fake some water with a sheet of plastic.

The plastic I got is quite glossy. I wonder if duller construction plastic would be better?
 
Wouldnt be bait I dont believe but I also dont foresee it working. Replicating water is one I havent heard of but if the sheen is off a bit you have a pretty significant billboard saying "man made" in the midst of your hunting area. If you do try and it works please let me know as that would be a helluva tool or trick.
 
its called a Plond. Google it for more info. never tried it myself but ive talked with guys who've tried it and claimed to have had success, even showed me the hero pics.... they also said to use a black tarp, but they were hunting on an iced over lake...
 
Like killswitch said, it is called a plond, it is also very popular in western and southern states during dry falls. It is classified as baiting in some locations so it may be worth checking with the DNR in your area rather then having to pay.
I suspect there are times and locations it would be very effective. What would you really be out if you weren't successful?
I have a couple of nearby fields that when they have water on them draw birds like a magnet but without puddles at the very least birds have zero interest. I may have to try this next fall.
 
What about wind? I know when my ice rink tarp is empty it flaps like crazy even in a slight breeze. That noise plus the unnatural movement could be an issue. Have to look up plond now...
 
An old waterfowling book I have describes the technique, and another with some sort of water based die used on ice. Never tried either one, because I don't have any problem finding real water. If you don't have access to that it might be worth a try. At least you wouldn't need waders.
 
might be worth a try... you would have to weight or stake down the edges so it doesn't blow away in the wind. Put some decoys on top as well. Like others have said, I've seen & heard of people using dark plastic on snow/iced lakes. I've wondered about it, but it's pointless around here. As soon as the water freezes, all waterfowl vacate the area. There wouldn't be any around to be fooled.
 
I tried.. blue tarp in the snow. Covered the edges with snow. I didn't have any luck, but me and waterfowl never get it right anyways.
 
The field had plenty of water on it after all.

Very few flights today though compared to a wet windy day.
 
I tried.. blue tarp in the snow. Covered the edges with snow. I didn't have any luck, but me and waterfowl never get it right anyways.

Most waters appear more of a dark blue/black from above, especially deeper waters or waters that are covering dark coloured earth. Shallow puddles like a flooded field inevitably look the colour of the field underneath and the water generally appears clear.
 
Have seen it done and amazingly does work. Guys I was with used black plastic and just spread decoys on it. My thoughts were "Ya right" but it resulted in a three man limit in short order.
 
Black plastic sheet:
ht tp://blog.havalon.com/do-it-yourself-duck-pond/
plastic-water-success-448x326.jpg
 
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