Decoy strategy

[kglacken]

Is there any strategy when it comes to your decoy set ups? If you have any other tips for someone trying to learn let me know!  Looking to get set up well before daylight next saturday!

[Kola16]

Holy cow there are soooooo many. I will start with a couple basics.

Put decoys where you do not want the ducks to land, and leave a space ("kill zone") where there are no decoys where you want the ducks to come. Also.....ducks like to fly against the wind to land so prepare for that.

[crow killer]

This may help 
If you don't have jerk string this is still useful.. We use it when the wind is right..
Or this

[bone collector 12]

Go to ducks unlimited's website lots of info

[Tealer]

So, I use no pattern. As the birds never use one. I stand on the bank and throw them one at a time until I'm out of decoys. Furthest out is usually 25 to 28 yards. Thicker towards the blind thinning out as we go. Seems to work great especially for birds that see lots of spreads.

[BiggLuke]

Also... basic decoy strategy, your decoys should NOT be touching one another.
It looks very unnatural to birds.
Aslo try to eliminate decoy strings on top of the birds. I know that can be hard if your just throwing them in the water, but it looks aweful to the birds.
and remember, it never hurts to move your spread around through out the day.
and finally, try to keep ice off of your decoys. I know this can be hard this time of year, but again, it looks unnatural.

[Tealer]

I actually tie drakes and hens together towards the end of the season like they are paired up. Works great.

[WSU]

I actually tie drakes and hens together towards the end of the season like they are paired up. Works great.

Agreed.  I definitely put out paired up decoys.

[BiggLuke]

right... but not physically touching. Just go watch ducks. It's amazing that they never actually touch each other. with of course the exception harrassments and chasings of each other or fighting over foods.

[whtelk]

Set them in family groups. Make sure they do not look like a bunch of birds that are ready to take off. In other words, make them look like they are just loafing around, if you can have them facing in different directions...not all the same way. Place about 8 in one area and 5 or 6 in another spot. Put 3 right out in front of the blind. Remember most birds are feeding near shore of ponds, not out in the middle.

[h2ofowlr]

Check out the latest DU magazine or go to the DU website.  They threw up a bunch of late season strategies to use.

As of recent I am just running around using about a dozen very nice decoys and two pull strings.  Most of my spread moves when I am out hunting.  Seems to be sucking the birds in very well. Even when their is a slight breeze I use a pull cord on a few decoys, because swaying or moving decoys still doesn't replace ripples in the water.  If you can have that plus good concealment and not hunting out of a bulking blind, you will suck them in given you have birds flying around.

If you are hunting a location with no birds flying, my best advise is hunt another location.  The greater the influence of bird and more in line with a particular flyway will increase your harvest.

[Tealer]

I never really care if they touch. Don't over think it.

[duckdog98604]

Fish-hook spread works every time for a newbie!

[passhooter]

Sometimes I use a T pattern with the top of the T lining the beach, that way if the wind shifts they can land on either side.