how many dekes?

[Commando]

I'm getting some avain x  decoys next month. I was wondering how may decoys do you guys run? I'm asking because I'd like to know how many to buy. I am thinking 3-4 dozen should be enough? I normally hunt ponds and have a few spots in the snake I like to hunt. However as soon as I get a boat I'm going Togo back to the columbia and I'd like to learn the potholes. So with all that in mind what is your thoughts on how many decoys I should get?

[ellensburgpo]

It depends on the area and what the birds need to see. One area I put out four decoys and it works great.  another area I have 8 dozen duck and two dozen goose decoys out. I put out however many decoys I need to use to mimic what would naturally be there. That being said I love buying decoys for some reason so there's no such thing as having too many.

[BiggLuke]

I think 4 dozen is a good start.
But like the other guy said, depending on the day... any thing from 2 to 200 is what you need.

So yeah... 4 dozen is a good start. 

[irishevox]

intresting....  i usually mix it up with widgeon and mallards in my spread thinking of adding some pintails

[D-Rock425]

4 is a good number and it's always good to have friends with dekes incase you need more.  Some buddies of mine and I had an epic day last year with about 10 dozen out. 

[mburrows]

Like has already been said, depends on when, where and what time of the year.  Rule of thumb, big water = big spread, it can vary on the smaller ponds though.  Early in the year before birds are educated throw out as big of a spread as you can. Later in the year when the birds are all shot up a single dozen well placed decoys can pay off as well.

A lot of it also depends on some scouting too.  I am definitely one to throw out more than less and subtract as the day goes on. 

If you're going after geese the more the better.

[irishevox]

when it comes to geese is more is better with Snows or speckled?  what about canadian geese.  B/c with canadian geese you sometimes see 2 or three in a field or in water then it blows up to 15-20.... i have use one or two dekes for geese and have them fly right by and some fly right in.... so i am not sure...

[beninchelan]

Depends, we do well over 1 doz old 1 pice stacker goose shells in on spot & run 7-10 doz full body, & floater ducks & geese in others . Look at the birds where you hunt & copy them. & try to be a little different than the next guy.

[BOWHUNTER45]

All sounds good ...depending on how much water or if your field hunting ..One thing I have always done is use all drakes ..rather they be pintail -mallard or widgeon ...more color the better ..my  anyway ...I have about 2 dozen hen mallard decoys in my garage that never seen water 

[liljozie495]

Always better to have more and be prepared then have less then the guys next door... We usually have 2-5 dozen out if not more... And have about 3-5 dozen close and ready so if we got to really put a spread out (ducks that is) geese we kind of just run what were seeing for a average first morning flock usually we see 2-6 dozen for a rough start number in  that first flock so we mimic that first flock we see fall in the field then hope we can coax those birds on in the real first flock. Usually works... But if need be we hit plan B and have about 12-14 dozen out over east. Lol local areas around the wet side we run 4 or 5 dozen.

For ducks we just use a large mallard portion with some teal and widgeon, then usually pin tails don't seem strong till jan that's when we toss pinnys in. We have in my group a total of 8 dozen green head gear full bodies, 15 dozen floaters majority mallards, and 15 dozen honkers. Always have more then we need, some day we may need them all tho never know haha.

[h2ofowlr]

For west side we typically run 1-6 dozen DSD.  Seems to be the ticket and try not to over deek the area unless needed.  To many idle decoys can spook the decoy shy birds.  East side we have run up to 24 dozen.

Snow geese are a different beast.  Anywhere from 12 dozen full bodies to well over 2k with shells, full bodies, rags and silos.

[Tealer]

when it comes to geese is more is better with Snows or speckled?  what about canadian geese.  B/c with canadian geese you sometimes see 2 or three in a field or in water then it blows up to 15-20.... i have use one or two dekes for geese and have them fly right by and some fly right in.... so i am not sure...

I really believe you can't have to many. At least with Cacklers and lessers. I don't know a ton about snows but my limited experience more is better.