collapse

Advertisement


Author Topic: Decoy spread size in the later part of season: UPDATED WITH PICS!!!!  (Read 9462 times)

Offline stickbuck

  • Washington For Wildlife
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Longhunter
  • *****
  • Join Date: Nov 2010
  • Posts: 985
So as we approach the last quarter of the season I begin to question the size of my spread. I hunt an area adjacent to public land and have been having good success with an assortment of 3 dozen decoys. I'm using two dozen mallards, one dozen Widgeon and two single pintail decoys. I also run a jerk string and a pull string wing decoy. My water size is 150 yds wide and 200 yards long. Over the past week though, I have noticed that the flock sizes have decreased on average from 20+ down to five or less. Do you guys start to decrease your spread size in January or do you stay with a larger spread knowing the ducks will have more confidence in landing in a spread with the larger number?
« Last Edit: January 14, 2012, 10:20:40 PM by stickbuck »

Offline wadu1

  • Grumpy
  • Global Moderator
  • Trade Count: (+30)
  • Old Salt
  • *****
  • Join Date: Sep 2008
  • Posts: 7246
  • Location: Tacoma
  • RMEF, DU, NRA, PFE, NWTF
Re: Decoy spread size in the later part of season
« Reply #1 on: January 03, 2012, 02:26:35 PM »
I drop down to a dozen mixed decoys late in the season. I also run a jerk string with ducks butts.  :twocents:
"a fronte praecipitium a tergo lupi"

Offline duck stamp

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Tracker
  • **
  • Join Date: Nov 2011
  • Posts: 34
  • Location: University Place, wa
  • 60yr waterfowler
Re: Decoy spread size in the later part of season
« Reply #2 on: January 03, 2012, 02:31:29 PM »
If you are having good luck with what you have been using I would say stay with it if not I would try maybe about half of what you have been using.   Good luck
3 kinds of duck hunters, duck hunters that make it happen, duck hunters that watch it happen and duck hunters that wonder how it happen.                                 MEMBER WWA SOUTHWEST CHAPTER

Offline h2ofowlr

  • CHOKED UP TIGHT
  • Political & Covid-19 Topics
  • Trade Count: (+5)
  • Old Salt
  • ******
  • Join Date: Dec 2008
  • Posts: 9120
  • Location: In the "Blind"! Go Cougs!
Re: Decoy spread size in the later part of season
« Reply #3 on: January 03, 2012, 04:08:47 PM »
If you have wind and lots of movement, more can be better.  No wind, less and better decoys are the ticket along with jerk strings.
Cut em!
It's not the shells!  It's the shooter!

Offline GregFowler23

  • SlaughterHouse GC
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Hunter
  • ***
  • Join Date: Jan 2011
  • Posts: 120
  • Location: Yakama, Washington
Re: Decoy spread size in the later part of season
« Reply #4 on: January 03, 2012, 06:31:41 PM »
Most times just see whats working best for yourself. Every areas goin to be a little different. Try using the big spread and see how they react, if nothing happens change it up and pick up or use less decoys. But always keep the movement going.

Offline TheHunt

  • Washington For Wildlife
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Old Salt
  • ******
  • Join Date: Sep 2007
  • Posts: 6238
  • Location: Western Washington
Re: Decoy spread size in the later part of season
« Reply #5 on: January 03, 2012, 06:38:20 PM »
I would only use 8 decoys and one spinner. I would put 3 hens and four drakes.   
275 down 2

Offline ICEMAN

  • Site Sponsor
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Explorer
  • ******
  • Join Date: May 2007
  • Posts: 15575
  • Location: Olympia
  • The opinionated one... Y.A.R. Exec. Staff
Re: Decoy spread size in the later part of season
« Reply #6 on: January 03, 2012, 07:02:17 PM »
I would only use 8 decoys and one spinner. I would put 3 hens and four drakes.

You may want to check your math.
molṑn labé

A Knuckle Draggin Neanderthal Meat Head

Kill your television....do it now.....

Don't make me hurt you.

“I don't feel we did wrong in taking this great country away from them. There were great numbers of people who needed new land, and the Indians were selfishly trying to keep it for themselves.”  John Wayne

Offline D-Rock425

  • Washington For Wildlife
  • Trade Count: (+12)
  • Explorer
  • ******
  • Join Date: Jun 2009
  • Posts: 13257
  • Location: Lake stevens
Re: Decoy spread size in the later part of season
« Reply #7 on: January 03, 2012, 07:09:04 PM »
1 spinner 4 drakes and 3 hens my math adds up to 8 but I'm from lake Stevens what do I know.

Offline 92xj

  • Trade Count: (+26)
  • Frontiersman
  • *****
  • Join Date: May 2009
  • Posts: 4015
  • Location: Out of Place
  • Kill 'em
Re: Decoy spread size in the later part of season
« Reply #8 on: January 03, 2012, 07:12:22 PM »
"and" being the key word. 
"If you have to be crazy to hunt ducks, I do not wish to be sane."

Offline D-Rock425

  • Washington For Wildlife
  • Trade Count: (+12)
  • Explorer
  • ******
  • Join Date: Jun 2009
  • Posts: 13257
  • Location: Lake stevens
Re: Decoy spread size in the later part of season
« Reply #9 on: January 03, 2012, 07:16:39 PM »
You got me I told you I was from lake Stevens  :bash: :bash:.  Lets stop these math problems my head hurts.

Offline ICEMAN

  • Site Sponsor
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Explorer
  • ******
  • Join Date: May 2007
  • Posts: 15575
  • Location: Olympia
  • The opinionated one... Y.A.R. Exec. Staff
Re: Decoy spread size in the later part of season
« Reply #10 on: January 03, 2012, 07:16:42 PM »
8 and 1 spinner is 9 last time I checked....and 3 plus 4 is........


Anyhow, who really cares, I just want to see more pics of ducks!!!
molṑn labé

A Knuckle Draggin Neanderthal Meat Head

Kill your television....do it now.....

Don't make me hurt you.

“I don't feel we did wrong in taking this great country away from them. There were great numbers of people who needed new land, and the Indians were selfishly trying to keep it for themselves.”  John Wayne

Offline D-Rock425

  • Washington For Wildlife
  • Trade Count: (+12)
  • Explorer
  • ******
  • Join Date: Jun 2009
  • Posts: 13257
  • Location: Lake stevens
Re: Decoy spread size in the later part of season
« Reply #11 on: January 03, 2012, 07:23:16 PM »
Gadwal pic

Offline Widgeondeke

  • Trade Count: (+8)
  • Frontiersman
  • *****
  • Join Date: Jan 2010
  • Posts: 3370
  • Location: Lake Stevens, WA
  • US Army Infantry 91-98
Re: Decoy spread size in the later part of season
« Reply #12 on: January 03, 2012, 07:24:22 PM »
I've always used less the last couple weeks. Use less dekes, but mix up the breeds. Throw in a pair of pintail or widgeon.
As was stated earlier tho. If 3 dozen are workin, don't change. Movement is critical.

Offline msteffens55

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Pilgrim
  • *
  • Join Date: Jul 2011
  • Posts: 23
  • Location: Edgewood, WA
Re: Decoy spread size in the later part of season
« Reply #13 on: January 03, 2012, 08:17:39 PM »
Headed out on Monday, when I got to my spot I realized I forgot my decoy bag (I know... I know).
I opened my tool box in my truck to find 1 old and cruddy looking drake spoonie deek. I figured what the heck, I was already out there, I'd hunt with it...

Killed three!

I wouldn't recommend hunting over one decoy, but it seemed to work. And the hike in and out was pretty pleasant!
You can tell the character of a man by how he treats those that can do nothing for him...

Offline stickbuck

  • Washington For Wildlife
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Longhunter
  • *****
  • Join Date: Nov 2010
  • Posts: 985
Re: Decoy spread size in the later part of season
« Reply #14 on: January 03, 2012, 09:09:21 PM »
Thanks for the feedback guys. I'll give it a shot in the morning. It's always nice to hear what other guys are using.

 


* Advertisement

* Recent Topics

Oregon special tag info by vandeman17
[Today at 09:15:16 AM]


Unknown Suppressors - Whisper Pickle by pickardjw
[Today at 09:12:31 AM]


MA-10 Coho by CP
[Today at 09:01:24 AM]


DR Brush Mower won't crank by Encore 280
[Today at 08:37:39 AM]


10 kokes by 206
[Today at 07:51:31 AM]


Hoof Rot by fowl smacker
[Today at 06:28:53 AM]


Ever win the WDFW Big Game Raffle? by addicted1
[Yesterday at 10:56:29 PM]


Honda BF15A Outboard Problems by Sandberm
[Yesterday at 08:18:08 PM]


Idaho General Season Going to Draw for Nonresidents by JDArms1240
[Yesterday at 08:16:36 PM]


Eastern WA-WT hunting from tree stands?? by addicted1
[Yesterday at 06:47:44 PM]


A question for any FFL holders on here by ryan2202
[Yesterday at 05:01:26 PM]


Bow mount trolling motors by BigGoonTuna
[Yesterday at 01:29:55 PM]


I’m on a blacktail mission by addicted1
[Yesterday at 12:10:11 PM]


where is everyone? by nwwanderer
[Yesterday at 06:01:04 AM]


Wolf documentary PBS by Skyvalhunter
[Yesterday at 05:58:56 AM]


Stuffed Pork Chop by EnglishSetter
[June 07, 2025, 11:12:59 PM]


Another great day in the turkey woods. by Remington Outdoors
[June 07, 2025, 09:43:57 PM]


Buck age by kentrek
[June 07, 2025, 08:56:47 PM]

SimplePortal 2.3.7 © 2008-2025, SimplePortal