DIY Decoy silhouettes

[Bennick16]

So the season is winding down and I have stated to entertain the idea of field hunting. So it got me looking into full body decoys. Let's just say after seeing the prices I was quickly turned off to the idea; however, after searching online I came across silhouette decoys. The price for 12 went from $300 to $75. After researching the performance of silhouette decoys to regular decoys I discovered that the silhouettes get them close enough and for a fraction of the cost. After looking up DIY options for silhouette decoys I was able to drop the price from $75 dollars for a dozen to $33.37 for 30 goose decoys and about 42 mallard decoys. They are not pretty but after a quick  test in a field, they did remarkably well. I had several flocks of mallards working them and even had 6 geese came in to take a look. Has anyone else had similar success with silhouette decoys? (Working on attaching pics)

[Stickerbush]

I use them occasionally, the ones I use are sock style and tend to fill up with water some if its raining. So they have to be drained. I heard a great podcast about them on HP outdoors with a guy from big Al's decoys. Some good tips and info on there. I haven't used them much but if you are in the right spot they should work

[Colin]

I love the DIY projects but I think as far as dekes go its worth the investment to have nice full bodies rather than a lot of cheaper silhouettes or socks. I wish I had just started buying the best full bodies possible from the beginning and skipped the buying the crappier dekes that were on sale. As I buy more and more dekes each season I find myself not even using the inconvenient or not as nice dekes. If I could trade 1.5 dozen crappy ducks for .5 dozen avian X I would.

[h2ofowlr]

I have done many hunts over silhouettes in years past.  They can be very effective if set out correctly.

[CP]

I've usually done better when I mixed a few full bodies in with the silhouettes -

[EWUEAGLESHUNTER]

If your on a tight budget, save up some money and by a dozen or so big foots. Then go to www.divebombindustries.com and buy some of their silos. One dozen for ducks and geese is less than 70 bucks. I use their stuff especially when the ground is soft and I don't want to tear up a farmers field or get stuck, so I pack in. I'll pack out a few bags of my Dakota full bodies then Throw in the silos and walla. I've killed tons of geese and ducks over them. Investing at least some money in to your spread is worth it man. Having birds come close is only fun for so long, you want those birds to finish up for you. Plus, sky busting birds who are already Leary, does not do anyone any favors. I like to figure 6 full bodies for every 12 silos if you decide to go that route.

[Bennick16]

If your on a tight budget, save up some money and by a dozen or so big foots. Then go to www.divebombindustries.com and buy some of their silos. One dozen for ducks and geese is less than 70 bucks. I use their stuff especially when the ground is soft and I don't want to tear up a farmers field or get stuck, so I pack in. I'll pack out a few bags of my Dakota full bodies then Throw in the silos and walla. I've killed tons of geese and ducks over them. Investing at least some money in to your spread is worth it man. Having birds come close is only fun for so long, you want those birds to finish up for you. Plus, sky busting birds who are already Leary, does not do anyone any favors. I like to figure 6 full bodies for every 12 silos if you decide to go that route.

I was planning on that. Just figured maybe things will go on sale this off season and I wanted to make something to hold me over for the next week.

[constructeur]

Keep your eyeballs on outfits like Rogers Sporting Goods, Macks Prairie Wings, etc. for good sales too.

[Bennick16]

 

Keep your eyeballs on outfits like Rogers Sporting Goods, Macks Prairie Wings, etc. for good sales too.

[jackson7]

I am not really a duck/goose hunter but occasionally go out. Have used solely the silhouettes of geese and have been pretty successful. Maybe it was just luck. best,
Jackson

[Chet43]

Great thread....

My grandson and I want to start doing some goose hunting next year and I was just about to start researching how to DIY deeks and layout patterns when I came across this thread.

h2ofowlr made a statement on this thread that they work if set out properly..... How do you set out goose deeks and where can I get information about goose layout patterns for both large and small bunches?

Does the layout patterns change if using full bodies or silhouettes?

If near a body of water do you put some in the water and some on land?

Also like with ducks do you add other types of deeks with the goose deeks like say a mallard or two; a blue heron or seagulls??

I am already watching U-tube videos regarding goose calling and what calls to think about buying in the next 3 or 4 weeks so I can practice.

Thanks for the help.

[dc]

One big thing to factor when using skinny geese (silhouettes)  is to mix the direction they face.  Meaning, when using regular decoys the majority are facing/feeding into the wind.  If you do that with silhouettes, all you have is a bunch of skinny dekes that the geese coming from the front or rear will not be able to see them.  You will need to face them in all different directions so incoming geese can see some and as they circle different ones will come into view and so on and so forth.  It gives the decoys a moving look if you will.  I have not hunted geese in quite some time, but when I did I used 4 dozen Reel Geese silhouettes.  I shot dozens and dozens of geese over these silhouettes.   I know this thread was about DIY decoys, but my reply was just to assure the original poster that silhouettes are a very effective way to hunt geese.