Duck hunting decoy spreads

[burritosupreme2]

Duck hunting season is coming up fast, and every year I watch people work magic getting ducks to land right in their decoys spreads. I’ve been hunting for about four years now, and one thing I’m still trying to wrap my head around is how to set up a decoy spread that actually works.

I was wondering if you’d be willing to share how you go about placing your decoys. Specifically:

How far out from the blind do you usually set them?

Do you use different decoys to create a better illusion,  like dabbling ducks?


How do you use confidence decoys and where?

Do you ever use decoys to steer ducks away from certain areas—like a “don’t land here” zone—to guide them into the spot you want?

I know there’s a lot of nuance to it, and I’d really appreciate any tips or advice you’re willing to share. Always trying to learn and improve, and thank you for the help.

Im open to going out with someone if they wanna show me in-person also. I live in the king county area.

[metlhead]

Every setup will be unique due to wind, flight direction, sun, visibility. Don't put blocks between you and the birds. They will be looking at you also. Keep em close. Keep em tight. Keep em upwind. Never let the water be calm. Put motion into it before motion into the dekes. Don't use just mallard dekes and keep em paired. Keep your quack calls in your pocket and learn all the whistles.

[JBG]

Basic set up is two groups, one to the left and one to the right of your blind assuming the wind isnt blowing in your face.  If the wind is in your face try and move. 

Then two decoys in the middle or offset middle to mimic a recently landed pair.  If you can put these on a jerk cord to provide movement that would be best. 

If you have some goose floaters you can put those upwind to act as blockers.

Within the groups put the decoys sometimes close together and some spaced out.  Make it look really random. 

[vandeman17]

How you set your decoys is WAY down on the level of importance to getting birds into your spread. 90% of the work that most successful guys do is scout and figure out where the birds want to be. From there, how you set your decoys is situational like others have said.

[Special T]

The triangle of duck hunting. LOCATION, presentation, concealment. Location is more important

[Chesterdog]

I get a fair amount of wigeon in my area, and last year I switched my spread with good results.  I used to be mallard heavy, with wigeon, teal or pintails on the outskirts of the spread.  I switched to a wigeon heavy spread with mallards on the outskirts and everything clicked into place for me.  I also flocked the heads of all my mallards and that seemed to help with the glare mid-morning when the clouds burn off and I'm trying to scratch out the last few of a limit in the sun.  PM me.  I'm in King County as well, and I can talk decoys and spreads all day.