| T.R | Title | User | Personal
Name | Date | Lines |
|---|
| 27.1 | ex | BPOV09::JAMBERSON | | Thu Sep 17 1987 19:46 | 18 |
| A few quick "rules' on decoys:
Geese-- The more the better.
Don't face them all into the wind ,
Set some sentrys away from the main flock
ducks-- I like an even number of drakes vs hens.
I try and pair them up with the drakes to the outside.
I like several magnums mixed in for better visibility.
Don't bunch them together too much.
in general-- Don't set them too far from the blind.
Pay attention to the wind
Make sure your lines arn't fouled on the decoy
Train you dog to ignore them 8*)
Jeff
|
| 27.2 | J | SHIVER::RIVERSD | In search of Walter | Thu Sep 17 1987 19:49 | 20 |
| I have a dozen Flambou mallards (6 male 6 female) with aqua keels.
I also have 3 Magnum mallards (1 male 2 female) with weighted
keels, and I've order a couple of mallard "dippers" (Carrylite).
I usually use the famed "J" pattern for set up. I haven't really
experimented with other set ups. I've heard that putting a few
geese in your spread will improve your chances when duck hunting.
Anyone ever try this? I'd be interested to see if anyone has
evry tried the Suc-Duks or The Real Decoy.
I even saw an ad for a motorized, remote-controlled decoy that has
grabbers on the front so that it can go out and retrieve your duck
for you. For $1500. I'd pray that no one mistook it for the real
thing.
I think someday I'd like a nice conventional set of cork decoys.
(Maybe I'll win the megabucks before the season opens :-)
Dave
|
| 27.3 | Pair them off? | CSSE::PETERSEN | | Thu Sep 17 1987 20:04 | 7 |
| Dave,
Pardon my ignorance, but would care to comment on the J set up.
Is it better to keep the drakes and hens paired off?
Erik
|
| 27.4 | | HUTSIX::BONIN | | Thu Sep 17 1987 20:34 | 9 |
|
I'm not sure, but I believe decoy patterns like the J (or
fish hook) are for sea ducks.
The puddle ducks that I've watched in public parks always
sit in *random clusters*, never in some recognizable pattern.
Doug
|
| 27.5 | Mixing sizes of goose decoys? | CLUSTA::STORM | | Thu Sep 17 1987 20:45 | 7 |
| Just this week I received my order for a dozen magnum Carry-Lite
goose decoys (shells). Can I mix these with the standard sized
shells? If I can mix them, should it be random or with the magnums
in one bunch and the standards in another bunch?
Mark,
|
| 27.6 | | HUTSIX::BONIN | | Thu Sep 17 1987 21:08 | 8 |
|
While a little variation in the sizes of your decoys would
probably make your spread look more realistic, I think
there's too much disparity in size between magnum and
standard to allow mixing. I'd set them out in separate
flocks.
Doug
|
| 27.7 | | BPOV09::JAMBERSON | | Fri Sep 18 1987 11:53 | 15 |
| I'll usually set my magnums on the outside of the spread. This
way they are more visible. The idea of magnums is that the birds
can see them from a greater distance. If there stuck in the middle,
you defeat the purpose of greater visibility. Thats the same reason
that I set my drakes towards the outside, they show up better then
the hens.
When goose hunting I'll set upwards to 120 silhouettes, with mayby
18 full bodys. So far I haven't noticed any problem in mixing them.
Again with geese the more numbers the better.
When setting up layouts for puddle ducks I try to do themin groups
with a likely landing spot in front of the blind. I very rarely
use a set pattern
If your going to mix geese and ducks, make sure that they are
seperated. They don't mingle together. Make two distinctive groups.
Jeff
|
| 27.8 | J variation | SHIVER::RIVERSD | In search of Walter | Fri Sep 18 1987 13:13 | 41 |
| Re: .3
This is the "J" pattern used for set-up:
X
X
X
X
X
X
X X
X X
X X
XXX
This was designed for sea ducks but if you fill
the lower part of the J, it will also work for
big water hunting other than coastal waters.
This is not an ideal set-up for ponds and small
lakes.
X
X
X
X X X X
X X X X X X X
X X X X X X X
X X X X X X
X X X
(Sorry about the poor pictorals)
The blind is generally below the lower section of the J, and you
need to leave empty sections (alleys) to either side of your blind
so the dog can get to the downed birds.
Dave
|
| 27.9 | patterns | HELIX::COTHRAN | | Fri Sep 18 1987 20:31 | 30 |
| I generally try to set a few near the opening of the cove, set some
up close to the grass at an edge of the cove, then spread the rest
out off to one side, but in front of the blind. The ducks that
come in generally come in over the marsh. When they drop they drop
in the decoys. The ducks that come in from the the left, generally
drop in the open water in front of the blind. Same is true for
those that come straight in. Those that come in from directly behind
the blind scare the *(&^$ out of us first, then if we can't turn
them in, they 9 times out of ten go down in the marsh, only to be
jumped as we end the morning.
I've never really hunted geese regularly, or set out just to hunt
geese. So I don't know about decoys for geese, However, that may
change this year. Late last year as my partner and I were leaving the
blind to pick up the decoys (guns unloaded), we heard the geese so we
settled back down, guns still unloaded. I've only seen geese fly over
this cove at a range a 16mm would have trouble reaching, so we sat
and listened with eyes skyward. 19 geese came into the (duck) decoys
and sat about 40 yds away, about 15 yds the other side of the decoys.
We say watched them for about 15 minutes until they swam out of our
site.
The next morning we put up two flock of geese as we entered our
cove to set up. Couldn't see them, but would guess between 30 and
40 with the racket they made as they walked the water to get
airbourne.
Anyone have any goose decoys for sale cheep?
Bryan
|
| 27.10 | Ready for duck season | OLDMAN::CURAVOO | | Fri Sep 18 1987 21:05 | 9 |
|
I hunted ducks and geese alot when I lived up by Lake Champlain
but since I transfered to Contoocook,NH haven't done any at all.
If anybody has some good duck spots up toward the lakes region
and want to get together for some hunting,let me know. I've got
a flat bottom boat set up and 2 dozen floating goose decoys 2
more dozen goose shell decoys and probably 2 or 3 dozen duck
decoys. Season starts Oct 5 and the old shotgun has alot of
cobwebs that need cleaning out.
|
| 27.11 | Well I'll be... | SHIVER::RIVERSD | In search of Walter | Mon Sep 21 1987 14:46 | 15 |
|
Re: .10
Hey Gary,
How's it goin' you old seadog? I've still got that goose call you
gave me (with a new reed). Hope to use it at Addison this year
if I get a permit. I also tried for Mud Creek. Spent all afternoon
with a friend in Swanton taking pictures of ducks coming into our
decoys. It was a good way to get ready for the season.
Look me up if you're up this way again.
Dave
|
| 27.12 | silhouttes for geese | CROW::STORM | | Mon Sep 21 1987 15:54 | 14 |
| Jeff, thanks for your response (-.7). I'm interested to hear that
you use silhouttes for geese. I always wondered if the geese would
get nervous when they saw the silhouttes "disappear" at certain
angles. Judging from your note 2.1, that must not be a problem.
I was thinking that silhouttes might be a relatively cheap/easy
way to increase the size of my spread. Did you buy or make your
silhouttes? If you bought them could you tell me where, I haven't
seen any for sale anywhere. If you made them would you consider
loaning me one to use as a pattern???
Thanks,
Mark
|
| 27.13 | | BPOV09::JAMBERSON | | Mon Sep 21 1987 16:45 | 11 |
| Hi Mark,
I made my silhouttes. I made three "models". Upright, feeders,
and sleepers. It's pretty easy to cut out a whole bunch witha saber
saw on a Sat. morning. The biggest pain is painting them. We used
a sprayer to do it. Your more then welcom to borrow a couple for
patterns. Where are you located?
Re: disapeering.
As long as you have them facing different directions they won't
vanish unless the birds view them from directly over head. I mix
in a doz. full bodies anyways.
Jeeff
|
| 27.14 | | MPGS::NEAL | | Mon Sep 21 1987 17:09 | 7 |
| Jeff,
How do you get the silhouttes to stand up. I made up a bunch
of them and nailed some dowel (SP) but it seems that they are always
breaking or falling out. And to think of it, I didnt even make any
feeders!
Rich
|
| 27.15 | mostly feeders... | SHIVER::RIVERSD | In search of Walter | Mon Sep 21 1987 17:50 | 7 |
|
I've got a VHS tape on duck & goose hunting. The fellow who narrates
it says that you should have a maximum of 2 goose decoys with erect
heads, the others should all be feeders. Reason being, if they
all were heads-up it would signal an incoming flock of impending
danger (like they were uptight about something). I'm not a big
goose hunter but this logic made sense to me.
|
| 27.16 | | MPGS::NEAL | | Mon Sep 21 1987 18:20 | 2 |
| Oops, it looks like I have to cut there heads off, and nail them
down.
|
| 27.17 | | BPOV09::JAMBERSON | | Mon Sep 21 1987 18:38 | 16 |
| Rich,
I nailed and glued some stakes that I made out of strips of wood
that is 1/2 X 1". so far I've only broken a few. The biggest pain
in the a** is when the ground is frozen. When thats the case, bring
a hatchet to loosen the ground.
Regarding ratio of feeders to uprights. I would guess that I have
probably 40% feeders, 40% upright, and 20% sleepers. I think the
biggest "tip-off' to incoming geese is when people set there spread
so that everything is facing into the wind and there bunched up.
This is exactly what the real thing do before they head out. As
long as you spread them out and face them in different directions
I haven't had a problem. Next time you drive ast a golf course that
has geese check'em out. I figure a good half of them are looking
rather then eating.
Jeff
|
| 27.18 | | MPGS::NEAL | | Tue Sep 22 1987 10:43 | 4 |
| Gee a Jeff ole buddy, do you think its possible that you could
take some old newspaper and make a outline of one of your feeders
sleepers, uprights and send it through the interoffice mail to
Rich Neal SHR1-3/06?
|
| 27.19 | 8*) | BPOV09::JAMBERSON | | Tue Sep 22 1987 12:22 | 9 |
| Hmmmmm Let me see now. Oh, I guess so but only if you PROMISE
never to shoot at any geese that might be flying with in a 70 mile
radius of any place I have ever hunted or ever dreamed of hunting. O.K.?
This includes, but is not limited to the entire Northeastern part
of the U.S. (with the exception of some minor sections of Boston
and Ney York City), Maryland, and the rest of the Atlantic seaboard.
Everything else is alright.
Jeff
|
| 27.20 | SURE | MPGS::NEAL | | Tue Sep 22 1987 13:58 | 4 |
| Oh sure, you have a deal, ;-). Its a good thing you dont know what
I look like.
Rich
|
| 27.21 | "Another Duck Hunter" | NISYSI::ALLORE | | Wed Sep 23 1987 18:23 | 40 |
| I have been hunting ducks for about 16 yrs. I have a
small spread of decoys (20). I also have no special pattern that
I use each time. They are all mallards and blacks (as these are
the most common species in this area) in numbers that is. The
ratio of hens and drakes is about even. I generally set them up
in the little pockets formed in the marsh grasses and cat-tails.
As a rule ducks normally land into the wind as this makes it ea-
sier for them to do so. I try to keep aware of the wind direction
at all times. This is not always the case though, as I've had them
land at all directions at any given time. A call is a must. You
should also be good with it. I've heard some hunters produce sounds
that scared me! Ducks are not color-blind as some hunters believe
and can pick out movement and forms at great distances. Usually
if they flair after a shot it's because they saw the muzzle flash
or you. I have taken shots at passing ducks and then called them
back after a pass or two. Of course 9 times out of 10 this isn't
the case. I guess that's enough rambling for now. I would be hap-
py to share any knowledge or tips I may have on this subject.
One more thing (on the subject of honkers) if they are
flying in the pattern, which follows, don't waste your breath cal-
ling them. As they are set for a long flight. This comes from a
study done on them also from a few of my own experiences:
^ ^
^ ^ ^
^ ^ ^ ^
^ ^ ^ ^
^ or ^ ^
^ ^ ^
^ ^
^ ^
^ ^
When they start breaking up and flying erratic. This is when they
are more likely to land or come into your decoys. Hope it helps
out a little. I'm not a pro by any-means but have gunned my far
share of waterfowl. Good luck in the field!
Bob
|
| 27.22 | | BPOV09::JAMBERSON | | Wed Sep 23 1987 19:02 | 8 |
| I couldn't agree more with what Bob said about trying to call geese
that are in a "V" formation. Save your breath, there headed for
parts unknown. Nothing pi**es me off more then seeing guys take
shots at geese, or ducks for that matter, that are a good 500 yds
up. Then invariably one of them will say "gee, I think I hit that
lead one". Jerks.
Jeff
|
| 27.23 | | HUTSIX::BONIN | | Wed Sep 23 1987 20:46 | 11 |
| That's not been my experience. Geese always fly in a skeane
(a V formation), whether they're heading south or making a
short flight to the local feeding grounds. I've watched
flocks at the pond across the street from this facility--the
geese even maintain a skeane during takeoff and landing.
The flocks that won't respond to calling are large,
high-flying flocks that will probably cover a state or two
before nightfall.
Doug
|
| 27.24 | | BPOV09::JAMBERSON | | Thu Sep 24 1987 12:13 | 11 |
| First, geese don't always fly in a V formation. Alot of times
when they're trading from one pond to another they'll fly in a _very_
loose formation, if any at all. When there flying in formation
at a high altitude, they're 9 times out of 10 headed for somewhere
and all the calling in the world isn't going to bring'em down.
I think altitude is the determining factor on whether or not you
stand a chance of calling them in. While I've yet to see a high
altitude flock flying in anything but a V formation, I've seen working
geese fly in everything from a V, to no formation at all.
Jeff
|
| 27.25 | try video info | OLDMAN::MOLLOY | | Thu Sep 24 1987 14:17 | 12 |
| i rented a 3M duck and goose hunting video the other night. along
with lots of other information was a short dicussion on goose flying
patterns. in general the 'v' is the travelling formation. where
as a straight line either parallel or at 90 to the direction of
flight is the formation of geese either going to or returning from
feeding. this is the pattern to follow, geese will return to the
same feeding area generally at the same time each day unless disturbed
or the food runs out.
i would recommend the video to any neophyte duck/goose hunters.
regards.....john
|
| 27.26 | COMMENTS ON THE "J" DECOY APPROACH | ISWISS::MCFARLAND | | Fri Sep 25 1987 16:37 | 16 |
|
I HAVE BEEN HUNTING DUCKS AND GEESE IN THE PARKER RIVER REFUGE (PLUM
ISLAND) FOR YEARS. THE MOST EFFECTIVE DECOY FORMATION I USE IS
THE "J" DESIGN. TWO POINTS TO REMEMBER: 1. THE "J" END SHOULD BE
INTO THE WIND, AND 2. PUDDLE DUCKS (VS SEA DUCKS) WILL NOT FLY OVER
A "J" FORMATION WHEN DECENDING FOR A LANDING. THEW WILL SWING AROUND
THEM. AGAIN I"M HUNTING IN THE SALT MARSHES AND SET MY DECOYS IN
POTHOLES.
BY THE WAY THERE ARE THREE AREA"S TO HUNT IN. ONLY ONE REQUIRES
A BOAT. THAT AREA IS THE MOST PRODUTIVE. YUP YOU QUESSED IT I DON"T
HAVE A BOAT. SO I CAN ONLY DREAM ABOUT ALL THAT ACTION GOING ON
AROUND ME WHILE I HUNT IN THE LESS PRODUCTIVE AREAS.
FRANK
|
| 27.27 | Wrong Decoys | CGVAX2::HATFIELD | | Mon Oct 19 1987 13:57 | 5 |
| You guys are all wrong on your approach.What you want to do is find
some mannequins, dress them up and put some golf clubs in their
hands. The last few week-ends I've been golfing and seen all kinds
of geese and ducks land right next to me.
Do you think they know?
|
| 27.28 | IS BIGGER BETTER | GCANYN::JOLLYMORE | | Wed Oct 28 1987 11:12 | 11 |
| I tried goose hunting about two weeks ago fore the first time
in a corn field and got hooked. No I didn't get any geese.
What I need to no is on decoys the advertise the carry-lite shells
in standard, magnum, and super magnum. Are there any advantages
in one size over the other and do the larger ones justify the price
difference between them?
Bill
|
| 27.29 | Yes and no | BPOV09::JAMBERSON | | Wed Oct 28 1987 11:38 | 11 |
| Good question 8*). The idea behind oversize decoys is that they
can be spotted by the real birds from a greater distance. I believe
tht with geese, numbers mean more then size. I would rather have
4 doz magnums then 2 doz supers. Personally I think the best spread
is to have as many regulars as you can afford, and then put some
supers around the perimeter of your spread. That way they are visible
and _may_ turn far away flocks, but you still have the "safety in
numbers" look.
Another factor to remember is that you got to transport all those
dekes to and from the field.
Jeff
|
| 27.30 | Numbers Talk | HUTSIX::BONIN | | Wed Oct 28 1987 12:41 | 21 |
| I agree with .29. Go with the standard size decoys and get
more decoys for your money.
I recently read an article that argued for numbers over size
for both ducks and geese. The author successfully used a
large spread of duck decoys that were no bigger than a man's
hand.
Another advantage of oversize decoys is with floaters; they
ride more realistically on rough water. I assume your talking
about field geese decoys so that's not a consideration.
I'm not sure about the suggestion that you place some
oversize decoys on the outside of you spread, it can't hurt
though. However, I know that keeping the heads, stakes, and
bodies of one decoy separate from another is an annoying
problem, especially at 5am. For years we had a few field
decoys from another manufacturer mixed in with our spread of
G+H decoys--the oddballs were a nuisance.
Doug
|
| 27.31 | Who all makes Decoys? | VELVET::GATH | | Wed Oct 28 1987 13:33 | 34 |
|
O,K here is a question that I am trying to find the answer to.
How many different manufactures are there and what are there addresses.
I am seriously looking to invest somme money in decoys but a list
of manufactures and address if they sell direct would be use full
Some of the manufactures I know of are.
Carry-lite
Quack
Cabella's has some of there own
Cork decoys which are really supose to good but expensive.
also recently I saw an add for a company in Maine
Lord's Cove Decoy Works
Box 192
Brookville Me. 04617 207 -326-8247
What I am looking to do is write to as many of these places and
try and do some comparison ( sp ) shopping.
So if you know of any decoy manufactures and if you can supply
an address or telephone number it would be apreciated.
Another topic for discussion would be what should the break downs
be by breed. Example 2 dozen mallards, 1dozen blacks, half doz,
woodies.
An old expression (Birds of a feather stick togeather ) applies
I am sure.
What good books can you recommend on setting out and decoying water
fowl?
|
| 27.32 | | BPOV09::JAMBERSON | | Wed Oct 28 1987 13:38 | 8 |
| Re: books
Decoys and How to Rig Them
by Ralf Coykendall (sp)
Great book on setting out decoys.
I 've bought most of my stuff through Cabela's, good service and
good prices.
|
| 27.33 | A couple more | SHIVER::RIVERSD | Home of fluorescent cows | Wed Oct 28 1987 13:44 | 13 |
|
The 2 that stand out in my mind are Carry-Lite and Flambeau. I've
got both kinds. The Carry-Lites are older weighted keel types that
have held up well and look real good. The Flambeaus are newer and
are kind of small. The paint isn't really sticking very good either.
I'll look for addresses. Herter's also market their own I believe.
As far as mixing decoys; I'd go with 3-1 or 4-1 (mallards-blacks).
Woodies would be just a few put in a small pothole all by their
lonesome.
Dave
|
| 27.34 | try L.L.Bean | OLDMAN::MOLLOY | | Thu Oct 29 1987 11:48 | 20 |
| i bought a dozen mallards from ll beans, they were cheaper there
than any other place i could find. for example
ll beans cabela's
28.00 28.95 12 mallards aqua keel
n/a 3.95 shipping
------ ------
28.00 32.90 total
there is the same approx. savings on "carry-lite" goose field shells.
i also prefer the service at bean's. on the other side cabela's
has a much larger selection. bottom line get your name on every
mail order list you can and go shopping at the kitchen table.
ps. the same 12 decoys at local retail outlet add $18-$20 so plan
ahead.
regards...john
|
| 27.35 | Replacement Heads | DELNI::G_FISHER | | Wed Jan 13 1988 20:26 | 10 |
| I recently inherited some carrylite canadian geese shells. However,
they do not have heads. Can anyone point me to a possible supplier
for replacement heads for carrylite shells?
The Cabelas, Gander Mountains etc do not seem to carry just the
heads.
Thanks,
Guy
|
| 27.36 | Yea, me too | CLUSTA::STORM | | Tue Jan 19 1988 13:49 | 5 |
| I'd be interested in that too, since I've lost a few of mine along
the way.
Mark,
|
| 27.37 | no luck yet | SKIVT::RIVERSD | Oops, pocket fuzz! | Wed Jan 20 1988 10:58 | 11 |
| I went through all my hunting catalogs and can't find a listing
for replacement heads for Carrylite shells. I checked Bean's,
Dunn's, Wing Supply, Gander's, Cabela's, American Waterfowler,
Herter's, etc. I found replacement heads for Herter's dekes but
they won't fit. I suggest that you try contacting Carrylite
directly. They may be able to help you out.
Good luck,
Dave
|
| 27.38 | I'll call | DELNI::G_FISHER | | Thu Jan 21 1988 14:32 | 4 |
| I will contact them directly and post any results here. Thanks for
the feedback.
Guy
|
| 27.39 | Call Carrylite Directly | DELNI::G_FISHER | | Thu Jan 21 1988 19:26 | 13 |
| Here is the scoop. You can only get replacement heads for your goose
decoys from Carrylite directly. None of their distributors carry
them. I called and they were very friendly and helpful.
Their number (in Wisconsin) is 414 355-3520.
You need to know what size decoys you have; standard - 24", magnum
- 32", or super magnum - 42". They sell them to you at their cost
(in the case of the standard decoy, it is $2.00 per head). They
have both sentry and feeding heads. They ship them UPS C.O.D.
Guy
people at Carrylite for replacement heads
|
| 27.40 | oops! | DELNI::G_FISHER | | Thu Jan 21 1988 19:28 | 1 |
| sorry for the garbage at the bottom of the previous reply.
|
| 27.41 | | CLUSTA::STORM | | Tue Jan 26 1988 17:03 | 4 |
| Great! Thanks for posting the info.
Mark,
|
| 27.42 | Weather's effect on Geese movement? | CLUSTA::STORM | | Tue Jan 26 1988 17:17 | 9 |
| I've had rather limited experience with geese and would like to
hear what other people have found to be weather's effect on their
movement. For instance, do they decoy better before, during, or
after a snow storm? Does high wind effect their movement (other
than the direction they land in)?
Thanks,
Mark
|
| 27.43 | silhouttes for geese | 29067::G_ROBERTS | | Wed Jan 27 1988 17:46 | 15 |
|
re: 12 and 14
I made my silhouttes out of 1/8" tempered fiber board sheets and
had a friend at a sheet metal shop make some stakes for me from
.060 x 14" long x 2" wide then folded over in a die to 1" wide.
One end was cut at an angle to stick in the ground and two holes
are drilled futher up about 6" apart and then rivit the stake to
the silhoutte. This works very well when the ground is frozen.
Paint the silhoutte what ever color and the lower part of the stake
black. As for disappearing silhouttes, as mentioned they should
face every which direction and I tilt them somewhat left or right.
If anyone is interested, I have built a very good pit cover that
will also concel two hunters on flat, dry ground. Contact me if
interested.
|
| 27.44 | More on Silhouettes | DELNI::G_FISHER | | Wed Jan 27 1988 20:25 | 11 |
| I just came back from a goose hunting trip on Maryland's Eastern
Shore and the silhouettes they used were neat. To prevent the problem
of the decoy disappearing as the birds fly over, they cut a horizontal
slot into the body of the decoy (from the back) and slide a piece of
wood into the slot. The new piece is shaped like the body of a goose
(if you were flying over looking down) and painted the correct color.
As the birds fly over all they see are full body dekes. Simple idea
that won't add much weight.
Guy
|
| 27.45 | How was it? | BPOV09::JAMBERSON | | Thu Jan 28 1988 11:31 | 7 |
| Guy,
How did you do down there? I've heard rumours that the hunting
has fallen off quite a bit over the last couple of years. This
is thouhgt to be due tto the geese "short stopping" in there migration
south. Just wondering what your impression was?
Jeff
|
| 27.46 | Eastern Shore Geese | DELNI::G_FISHER | | Thu Jan 28 1988 15:16 | 25 |
|
Monday (Jan 18), the weather was terrible; rain and fog so thick
you couldn't see beyond the end of your gun barrel. We could hear
em, but couldn't see them.
Tuesday the weather was fine and the birds were flying...flying
right past us into a posted soybean field. I'd conservatively
estimate that we saw 10,000 birds. These birds obviously had been
hunted hard and were pretty smart. And once there were a couple
hundred "live" decoys in the soybeans...forget it...we couldn't
compete.
So...two days and we didn't fire a shell. From what I heard others
had similar resuts. One or two here and there. I guess it gets tough
at the end of the season.
We had a good time. The guides were excellent. You can learn alot
about goose hunting from someone who's been do it for twenty odd
years.
I imagine our own coastal geese here must get pretty tough to decoy
by the end of our season. Anyone take any late season birds?
Guy
|
| 27.47 | Decoys in lilly pads | CHRLIE::HUSTON | | Mon Oct 21 1991 11:00 | 35 |
|
I have just started Duck hunting again and have a question on
decoy setup.
The place I hunt is a small, slow moving river surrounded by
swamp grass and a few cattails. There are lots of lilly pads in
the water and under the water are lots of weeds. The majority
of the ducks in this place is slowly changing. At the beginning
of the season (NH) it was almost exclusively Wood Ducks, now it
is changing to include mallards and blacks and some woodies.
Anyway, we have about 12 mallard decoys and 2 feeder decoys. We have
been trying to setup the decoys in a mini-J with the Feeders on
the bottom of the J. This setup has seemed to work at most times.
One thing I have noticed lately though is that the ducks seem to
be passing over the decoys instead of landing in them. The place
we set them up has lots of lilly pads and little open water.
Will the ducks land among the lilly pads, or should we re-locate
to a spot with more open water? The wood ducks never land in the
decoys, when they come into them, they seem to be trying to land
either just short or just past them. they are noticing the decoys
and coming to them since we have seen them set there feet, then pull
up and re-set them closer to the decoys.
Mallards are circling and landing a little away then swimming in.
Makes for easy shooting when we jump them, but it is nice to see
them come in with set feet, then taken them.
Will ducks land in the lilly pads or should the decoys be set in more
open water without lilly pads?
--Bob
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| 27.48 | My $.02 worth | CARROL::LEFEBVRE | And this just in... | Mon Oct 21 1991 11:39 | 40 |
| This is a very timely note as we're setting up in a very similar area
and are experiencing the same phenomenon. Essentially, we're setting
out a dozen or less black/mallard dekes, including 3 feeders. We have
full view and shooting lanes straight ahead, but limited shooting to
the sides, so idealy we'd like to have the ducks break and land in
front of us.
Having said that, there simply is not enough water or air space for any
ducks to break and land amidst our dekes. However, we're set up in a
cove that's about 300 yards from the open water. We've noticed over
the last 2 hunts that regardless of the wind direction, there's just
not enough room for the bigger ducks to land.
What we've done differently is to keep absolutely still when the ducks
approach. We also refrain from calling once we feel that ducks have
seen the decoys. 9 times out of 10, the ducks would circle a few
times. As they circle and check out the dekes, I use a soft feeder
call.
This has worked with great success. Yesterday, a flock of mallards
flew over the tree tops and tried unsuccessfully to land in our dekes
due to the reasons mentioned. After a few feeder calls, I said to my
buddy that they'll likely land in the bigger water and swim over.
Sure enough, we see the ducks rounding the corner towards us about 300
yards away. I managed to coax them over with feeder calls. I should
note that these mallards were literally sprinting to join our dekes.
We bagged a greenhead and a hen, so the patience paid off. We added a
black drake later using the same method.
In short, keep the dekes spaced apart, don't use too many in cramped
quarters, and don't bee overly concerned with the formation. Just keep
them spread apart and visible to ducks flying directly overhead. And
most importantly, don't overdo it with the calling. Once the ducks see
the dekes, resort to feeder calls.
It may not be the best way, but this certainly works for us.
Mark.
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