Mallard Decoy Spread

Question:

I am new to duck hunting, and I have a question about decoys. I have been told that any duck will come into a mallard decoy spread. I have also been told that Northern ducks (blue bill, canvasbacks, red head, etc) will only come into a northern duck spread, and if I want to use Mallards I should put them off to the side in their separate flock.

Which way is correct? Do I need to different sets of decoys?

- Pete Schnettler

Answer:

Pete, you are correct that most ducks will decoy readily to mallard blocks as long as they are the most prevalent puddle duck. But the with the great big water in your area, and the tradition of large diving duck flights, I would add some divers to your spread.

On a typical point set up, I would set a couple of dozen mallard decoys in the calmer water near the point and extend 3-4 dozen diver decoys (I would suggest bluebills and canvasbacks in your area) and set them in a J-Hook with the tail of the hook running downwind toward the open water and a cluster near the blind.

Most hunters segregate their diver and puddle duck spreads and I would suggest this as well.

Best of luck and I hope this helps!

John Devney

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