Flapping Wing Decoys

[EagleEye]

I am interested to hear thoughts on flapping wing decoys at busy hunting spots.  I hunt on public land and I see A LOT of flapping wing decoys.  I own a few and have tried them but with mixed success.  I feel like the flappers help when I'm hunting away from the crowd but when I'm at a busy place like the Samish unit where basically everyone out there is flying 3 - 5 flappers and the blinds are close together, it seems like birds stay away from them.  Now, I realize there are many other factors (and being a public land hunter I'm used to dealing with all of them) like very aggressive callers, sky busters etc. that can make birds turn away at Samish.  There are many threads on that topic but I'd like to discuss flappers.  What do you guys think?  Good/Bad?  Good/Bad at public places?  Good/Bad when everyone in the vicinity is flying them?  Good/Bad in small or large quantities?  How well have they worked for you?

[Gringo31]

Welcome to the site!

[muzzlebuck]

Sometimes they work great. If you're flaring birds stick to the jerk rig.

[270Shooter]

For hunting traffic locations they are the most important thing I take hunting other than my gun. If you're on an X then they can do more harm than good.

[h2ofowlr]

First by naming specific locations you hunt, it only encourage and educates more to try it.  If you like pressure, you will enjoy more of it.
Secondly, it depends on the spread used, location and how many you use.  Lots of factors, factor in as well.  Bad concealment and you still won't better yourself with a dozen of them.
If the birds are flaring off them, then pull them or shift where they are located, so you can shoot the birds at they point where they flare.  Given they are in range.  The unit you mention is also notorious for skybusters as well.  Windy days and cold will help.  Best of luck to you.

[Stein]

Sometimes birds like lots of flash, sometimes just a little and sometimes none.  I find it changes day by day, location by location and even time during the day.  There are places where I start with a bunch of flash and decoys and pull both in stages as the sun comes up.

If I see at least 2-3 flights that don't like what I have, I do something different.

[EagleEye]

Gringo31 - Thank you!  Great to be here.

MuzzleBuck - Definitely.  Give the birds whatever they want. 

270Shooter - Very interesting.  I've always thought about the flappers as a way to bring in birds from a distance but never thought about whether you're on the X or not.  Makes sense. 

H2OFowler - So you're saying I should not hunt in my favorite Hawaiian shirt and Blaze-Orange Top Hat?  Dangit.  Hahahahaa!  Point taken.  And thank you for sharing your thoughts about flaring. I like the ideas of trying to stop the flare but if you can't then try to adjust the spread to put the flare where you can still get a shot.  Good stuff.  Thanks again. 

Stein - Interesting.  I often make adjustments as the sun gets higher and sometimes that involves pulling the flappers.  I usually shift a few floaters/fields deeks around but I've never pulled floaters/fields deeks mid-day.  I should probably think about that... 

To all - good luck with the ice and I hope everyone has a strong finish to the season.   

[h2ofowlr]

Gringo31 - Thank you!  Great to be here.

MuzzleBuck - Definitely.  Give the birds whatever they want. 

270Shooter - Very interesting.  I've always thought about the flappers as a way to bring in birds from a distance but never thought about whether you're on the X or not.  Makes sense. 

H2OFowler - So you're saying I should not hunt in my favorite Hawaiian shirt and Blaze-Orange Top Hat?  Dangit.  Hahahahaa!  Point taken.  And thank you for sharing your thoughts about flaring. I like the ideas of trying to stop the flare but if you can't then try to adjust the spread to put the flare where you can still get a shot.  Good stuff.  Thanks again. 

Stein - Interesting.  I often make adjustments as the sun gets higher and sometimes that involves pulling the flappers.  I usually shift a few floaters/fields deeks around but I've never pulled floaters/fields deeks mid-day.  I should probably think about that... 

To all - good luck with the ice and I hope everyone has a strong finish to the season.

My decoy spread never stays the same from the setup.  I watch the birds and how they work and make adjustments as necessary.  If I need to pull decoys or move the entire spread I will do that as well.  Sometime trying to run traffic or pull the birds from where they want to be isn't always an easy challenge or provides limited opportunities.  I will make the change, shoot the birds and get out of a spot quick if possible.  Limit the pressure applied to the area as well.