Field hunting

[burritosupreme2]

I was hunting fields this year, and I was given 3 dozen mallard silhouette decoys. I noticed that not 1 duck that flew over wanted to land in our decoys.  We even put out a spinner and non of the ducks wanted to land. Now what I noticed is that dive bomb would use 8 dozen silhouette decoys in a field or more to bring them in.  I wanted to know what do you all do when you field hunt at a public non-private field? Also, does alot of decoys matter? Thanks for your help, and if I didn't ask it please answer anything that has helped you field hunt. I live near the Seattle area.

[ducks4days]

There is a WWA meeting on the 31st at the Kenmore gun range. I'll be there, I am more than happy to chat decoy strategies at length 1-1 if you want some tips. I dont like typing much.

[Mfowl]

A lot can factor in to why the ducks would not come to your spread. Mainly I would question what was in the field? Was there feed for the birds? Are they using it when it is not being hunted? What about your blind/hide? If you are not well hidden it doesn't matter how many decoys or how good the field is. Especially on late season, wary birds. If the field is desirable for the birds then a small spread and a good blind in the right spot can get the job done. Also, what is the hunting pressure like in this spot? Is it being hunted a lot? The birds will learn quickly what is a danger area though inclement weather or new birds can revitalize a heavily hunted spot. Another thing that can play in is the weather conditions during your hunt. Calm, clear days put no pressure on the birds and they can be picky about where they go. Big wind, limited visibility or bitter cold can make the birds more receptive to working your spread as they become more desperate for food or safety from the elements.

[JBG]

I was hunting fields this year, and I was given 3 dozen mallard silhouette decoys. I noticed that not 1 duck that flew over wanted to land in our decoys.  We even put out a spinner and non of the ducks wanted to land. Now what I noticed is that dive bomb would use 8 dozen silhouette decoys in a field or more to bring them in.  I wanted to know what do you all do when you field hunt at a public non-private field? Also, does alot of decoys matter? Thanks for your help, and if I didn't ask it please answer anything that has helped you field hunt. I live near the Seattle area.

Ducks will decoy to clumps of mud etc.  Decoys are pretty far down the list of things that get ducks to decoy.  Decoys allow you to land them where you want but ducks dont just see decoys and commit to them.  Location is the most important thing, are you where the ducks want to be?  If yes (like you saw ducks on this same field the day before) the next question is how good is your hide or blind?  I can gurantee its probably not good enough.  Get control of those variables and the decoys wont really matter. 

[Klickitatsteelie]

Everyone else is spot on. Number one you have to be where birds want to be, number 2 the hide is most important. Once you think your hidden spend another half hour making it better. You can run traffic in fields with the right weather conditions and again with the right hide. A spinner is almost always a must. I usually always throw some goose decoys as well just for the bigger darker size to get birds attention. We have killed them with as little as 6 decoys and a spinner when hunting the X. When running traffic I usually throw anywhere from 2-10 dozen goose decoys and 2-5 dozen ducks with 2 or 3 spinners. But most importantly hide hide hide. If you stand back and can see your hide the birds can see it as well and will definitely not give you a look.

[burritosupreme2]

There is a WWA meeting on the 31st at the Kenmore gun range. I'll be there, I am more than happy to chat decoy strategies at length 1-1 if you want some tips. I dont like typing much.

I will try and be there on Wednesday the 31st.

[h2ofowlr]

If your hunting public, it's probably hunted daily and possibly open to close.  Ducks are leary this time of season and the pressure makes decoying in those spots difficult unless you have a weather event.  Ex. freeze, snow, heavy wind, etc.  Lots of options for the ducks right now and they are being very critical on hide.  Dikes and ditches they fly high on.  Tree lines or brush lines have helped.  I have utilized a smaller spread on leary ducks.

[metlhead]

Many mallards are paired and difficult to decoy unless feeding. If you have good numbers of wigeon in your area, change your spread and focus on them. Large spreads work well, along with silhouettes.

[Big6bull]

Western wa I start seeing them in fields much more around February when food starts popping up more. Field ducks in wa takes a lot of scouting with some rare situations in my experience.