Hunting Washington Forum

Other Hunting => Waterfowl => Topic started by: CP on September 27, 2015, 10:45:56 AM

Title: Converting Floating decoys to Field decoys
Post by: CP on September 27, 2015, 10:45:56 AM: I had a few old leaky duck floaters that I have been meaning to throw out. That is until I looked at the cost of adding to my Avian-X field decoy collection. For the price of a wood stick, a finishing nail and literally less than 5 minutes of labor, I’ve converted the leaker to a usable field decoy.

Here’s how:
1.   Cut the keel off the leaker – I used a sawzall but a hand saw will work.
2.    Find the balance point by pushing the decoy slowly over the edge of the workbench; when it starts to tip mark that point with a sharpie.
3.   Drill a big hole in the bottom with a hole saw
4.   Drill a small hole in the top slightly bigger than a finishing nail head.
5.   Cut the stick to the right length – sharpen one end and drive the nail into the other end

Done –

I’ll let you know how they work in Oct.
Title: Re: Converting Floating decoys to Field decoys
Post by: pentale on September 28, 2015, 03:32:51 PM: A buddy of mine was talking about this the other day. He likes to swat ducks and we get a few leakers every year. Thanks for sharing.
Title: Re: Converting Floating decoys to Field decoys
Post by: CP on September 29, 2015, 05:55:56 AM: You're welcomed. I hope it's useful. Here's a few more pictures -
Title: Re: Converting Floating decoys to Field decoys
Post by: D-Rock425 on October 04, 2015, 09:22:01 AM: Good thread.
Title: Re: Converting Floating decoys to Field decoys
Post by: lokidog on October 04, 2015, 09:36:41 AM: Why not just cut the keel off and sit it flat on the ground? I've thought about making cradles to be able to set my floaters on in a field, but don't hunt many fields anymore.
Title: Re: Converting Floating decoys to Field decoys
Post by: CP on October 04, 2015, 02:37:49 PM: Quote from: lokidog on October 04, 2015, 09:36:41 AM
Why not just cut the keel off and sit it flat on the ground? I've thought about making cradles to be able to set my floaters on in a field, but don't hunt many fields anymore.

That would work but the stick raises them above the vegetation and gives them movement.
Title: Re: Converting Floating decoys to Field decoys
Post by: Savage.06Shot on November 22, 2015, 12:32:02 AM: How well did these deecs work?
Title: Re: Converting Floating decoys to Field decoys
Post by: CP on November 23, 2015, 02:19:24 PM: Quote from: Savage.06Shot on November 22, 2015, 12:32:02 AM
How well did these deecs work?

I’ve shot some birds over them. They don’t look as good as the full body decoys but they help augment the numbers.
Title: Re: Converting Floating decoys to Field decoys
Post by: Bill W on November 24, 2015, 09:10:32 AM: good looking modification
Title: Re: Converting Floating decoys to Field decoys
Post by: lokidog on November 24, 2015, 09:36:07 AM: If you installed one of those screws that is a wood screw on one end and a bolt on the other, you could easily have the stakes removable which might make packing easier. Just use a wingnut on the top to keep it from falling off the stake. If you leave the nut loose, the decoy can still wobble and move.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt-8-32-tpi-x-1-in-Coarse-Steel-Hanger-Bolt-4-Pack-809281/204274979?cm_mmc=Shopping%7cTHD%7cG%7c0%7cG-BASE-PLA-D25H-Hardware%7c&gclid=CjwKEAiAstCyBRDiqu75hvnX82kSJACgYI_QS9uTaXVMHohF0rjRmG9PzoMlIGgIUA9_WMDcfnMVIBoCR9Hw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds