I'm starting to add field shells and full body mallards and geese into my water set ups. I'm wondering if you have any tips on where to set each species and how much to intermingle them. - Cory Brown
Cory,
Using full bodies to complement your traditional water spread is a great way to add another dimension to your spread as well as give it that extra little punch to draw ducks and geese into range. I typically use full bodies to simulate birds loafing on sandbars, open beaches, and on ice to add another visual to passing birds that there are happy contented ducks below.
With Canada’s and mallards in our part of the world, the birds mix quite commonly in loafing and roosting areas and as such I don’t segregate them at all, simply space them in the fashion of a loafing flock. Also, some of the guys that I hunt with will put their full bodies on small lengths of conduit to use their full bodies over water when depths don’t allow the use of the typical stakes. Good luck with these tips.
John Devney
