buying waterfoul basics, calls, decoys, and other- help for the lesser informed.

[jeepster]

one thing i have been wondering for a while is do the ducks flock together desipte the different kind of birds? meaning to widgeon flock with teal and  mallards with pintail and any combination of the above? can i throw a string of decoys out that consist of multiple duck species? do those decoys depictiong ducks diving, feeding or sleeping really make a difference?

what are some good sounding calls? i bought one of the duck master calls today and i liked the way it sounds but is there a standard issue tried and true beginner call? 

i got some cabelas gift cards as a gift so its time to upgrade from my 12$ duck call and my 1 dozen "hot buy" mallard decoys

[ducks55]

Mallard decoys will bring in most any ducks. Some are pickier than others as to what species they will decoy to but most always mallards only will work.

[Fishnclifff]

I found the raspier the call, better. A  whistle is good for calling teal, pinnies and widgeon. They have the combo whistles. Mine will do a mallard growl too.

A good set of dekes with their heads up work better than the hot buys. most of the HB's are sleepers.
 The ducks know their buddies don't land and snooze., especially if you are calling and all your dekes look like they are asleep.
It's good to have a few surface feeders too.

Most ducks flock with their own. The lesser ducks, teal, widgeon, and spoonies, will come into where mallards are. Pintail are the most wary. they circle and look a long time before they will commit.

good luck

If it's brown   it is down.

[goosegunner]

 My  Most ducks will decoy good to mallard decoys, So if your just starting out i would say just focus on building a mallard spread. I'm a firm believer in the different head positions i think it really brings your decoy spread to life. It also will set your spread apart from most of the hunters around you to. I've been buying the prograde mallards they have some with swivel heads so you can really mix things up with the different positions. I would also just buy a 6 pack of either pintail or even shovelers just for the amount of white on those decoys. They will give you visibility from a distance. And a lot of widgeon's,pintail, and shovelers i decoy will try and land around the decoys with the white. again that's my 

[Antlerking]

1 dozen best buys 35$
Zink ph2 poly 25$
cabelas bruch busters 125$
Walmart wetlands coat 65$

A limit of green priceless