How do I go about picking duck decoys?

jlovie

jlovie

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Dashwood, ON. But some day on Manitoulin
I'm not a hardcore goose hunter but I get out when I can. As far as color goes, goose decoys are pretty self explanatory but I have recently been given access to 2 new ponds for next fall and would like to start planning my spreads, the owner said there are lots of ducks landing in the ponds but doesn't know what kinds. I have no duck decoys as of right now. I've been looking at decoys and seems like they range from mallard to black ducks. Is there a "universal" decoy to get me started until I can scout out the ponds and see what is actually landing in there? In my head, it seems like wood ducks with a few mallards mixed in would be a good start. Any tips would be much appreciated.
 
I don't do a whole lot of duck hunting myself, but a few friends just say to get the biggest type of duck decoys you can, if they can see them from farther away they're more likely to feel it is a safe space and that all kinds will settle down in the same spot as they fly by, you don't have to match the type of decoy to the type of duck you're hunting.
 
If you are hunting puddle ducks almost everyone starts there spread with mallards. I'd start with a dozen mallard floaters and go from there. If the ducks are already using the ponds the decoys just help to direct them...no need for large decoys. If you are looking for a specific brand I'm a fan of avian X duck decoys.
 
Ponds usually hold puddle ducks, mallards, blacks, wood ducks, blue and green winged teal. A puddle ducks tail sits high off the water when there swimming, and they can fly by just jumping into the air and there up and away, they also tip tails up heads down to feed.

Diving ducks frequent larger bodies of more open water, blue bills, common golden eye, buffle heads, old squaws, mergansers, white winged scooters. A diving ducks tail is flush with the water when its swimming, and to fly it needs a little run across the surface of the water at the take off stage, they dive under water to feed.

So since your going to be pond hunting pick yourself up a half doz. to a doz. mallards, what ever you can afford. Maybe a couple of tip up feeders for a confidence set. Until you get some more experience with it this should get you a good start and get the job done.
 
swinginberrys said:
If you are hunting puddle ducks almost everyone starts there spread with mallards. I'd start with a dozen mallard floaters and go from there. If the ducks are already using the ponds the decoys just help to direct them...no need for large decoys. If you are looking for a specific brand I'm a fan of avian X duck decoys.
Click to expand...

This ^^^ and I will add brand is not really a significant matter. It's more about your preference than the ducks from what I can tell. I've shot ducks over some pretty shoddy looking decoys over the years. Early season all I ever ran was my hens since most species aside from wood ducks really don't start to colour up until late October. Check on kijiji and you're bound to find some decent used decoys to get you started at a much reduced price generally or better yet hit garage sales in the summer. I've picked up alot of decoys for next to nothing at garage sales that somebody quit hunting with years before and is tired of them taking up space.
 
Im also new to duck hunting. Ive been out about 10 times over the last few weeks and have had all kinds of ducks come check out my mallard decoys. I second the spanks advice, keep an eye out on kijiji, I just picked up 2 dozen mixed black/mallard/wood decoys strung and weighted for 75$. I have a mix of el cheapo Final Apprroach to some pricey GHG and they all look pretty good but since I added a Mojo and a few feeders I bought off the EE I've noticed ducks coming in closer.
 
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