Best Decoys for Practicing Your Aim

A decoy is a word that comes from duck-coy, dug cage, which is usually a device, person, or event for a distraction. Decoys are widely used in game hunting, in wartime, committing or resolving crimes. Mostly, hunters use duck decoys for capturing wild ducks and other species. There is a wide variety of decoys available, and it even comes with remote control for better usage. If you plan to buy it, you have to be aware of a few essential things to make the right purchase. Below is a buying guide for helping our readers to pick the right decoy!

What Are Different Types of Decoys Available?

Let’s kick start our discussion with the different types of decoy you can buy:

Floating

It is one of the simplest decoys, and the majority of people will buy the duck decoy. These are affordable in comparison to any other type. Moreover, the floating duck decoys are sold more than any other type. It is of great value as more people buy them due to its large numbers in each pack. You can get floating decoys in different sizes that are made of moulded plastic.

Motion

A typical motion decoy will have wings sticking straight out to each side, and its placement is on the central shaft, which goes through the decoy’s body. The presence of motion makes them look similar to a duck fluttering its wings as they arrive for landing.

Butt Up

This type is a floating decoy that looks similar to feeding ducks. The duck feed in shallow water, and they will put the tails sticking out of the water as they will root through the bottom of their dinner. This style will be a sign for passing flock that there is a great food source, but also the area is safe, which makes it easy for the hunter to do the hunting.

Swimming

This type floats on the surface, using a small motor to make it look like a duck swimming. It is best to grab the attention of the passing flock. As the decoy swims on the surface, it goes off a V wake inside the water visible from a long distance.

What Important Things To Consider When Buying Decoys?

Now, we will be looking at some essential things when you are going to purchase decoys:

Species

Many different species look more realistic from a distance. You can’t even tell the difference between real and fake. For people who want to hunt, puddle ducks like teal, wigeon pintails, and mallards are good sets that will do the job for them.

Size

Most of the decoys are similar in size, just like the duck. The hunters mostly use these. Moreover, magnum decoys are large in comparison to standard decoys. Many professional hunters pick this option as they will be sitting higher in water, and ducks can see them from a long distance.

Weights/Anchor

These flexible strap weights perfectly work well with the majority of the floating decoys, and they are easy to store without forming a tangled mess. If you are a new hunter, note that every decoy needs a kind of line for attachment. It will attach to an anchor or weight at the other end. Once you place it in water, the weight sinks to the bottom, letting the decoy keep floating away.

What Type of Materials Are Used For Making Decoys?

Now, have a look at various types of material which are part of making the decoys:

Foam

This type is excellent as you can ball them up or flatten them whenever you need them. If you need to grab the attention of more than one bird, then consider placing a male and female combo. It is usually lightweight but provides fewer details.

Rubber

If you want to place a decoy in the middle of the road, then rubber is the best option. You will get some amount of collapsibility but not as much as in the case of foam. The rubber type promises to provide a hard shell, less weight, and unique details. You can easily set them near a tree for use or anything else.

Hard Plastic

As you can guess by the name, this material will be hard. Note that this type makes more noise when scratching against the branches while you walk around. They are best for fields where you need more details, and portability is not an issue.

Silhouette

It comes in rigid plastic form or fabric form. This type does not need much space and will be best to use if you place more decoys. Moreover, these are very thin, and you can easily carry them even when taking six to twelve pieces.

What Are Some Decoys Accessories?

Yes, decoys come with accessories as well. As they are made for the hunting industry, they have to be easier to transport and use. The best accessory which you can buy are:

Bags

There are two types of bags that you can buy that include slot and mesh bags.

Line

These are available in different sizes and sold in the form of spools instead of weight. It helps in knot tying.

Gloves

This accessory is a more extended gauntlet to ensure water does not come inside the glove.

Jerk Rigs

It is best for creating movement by using a standard floating decoy. They are cost-effective in contrast to swimming decoys.

Best Decoys FAQs

Q: How to pick the right duck decoy?

A: The selection of the right decoy will include elements like conveyance to and from the blind, hunting location, and hunting style.

Q: What important thing to do when buying duck decoys?

A: The most important thing will be the depth. For dabbling duck hunting, this decoy set is beneficial. The hunter places it in a couple of feet of water or less. A 3-foot line will perfectly work for duck decoys.

Q: How many decoys will be enough in my spread?

A: In a small and confined water area, six or thirty-six decoys will be perfect. Whereas on dry fields or large water areas, place as many decoys as practical.