Starting out Water fowler/ DECOYYS

Bobbydee · #1 08-14-2016, 03:00 PM

Kind folks of AOF

Looking for some info on the most cost effective way to hit the ground running as a water fowler. I keep waiting for decoys to go on sale and pick up a few at a time. At this rate I imagine it will take some time to get enough for effective decoying.

Is there a good place to buy bulk or are they the same price as the main stores?

Silhouettes vs. Full bodies?

How many is enough for Duck? and for Goose?

when you see the fowlers on TV they are running Huge spreads.

Any info is greatly appreciated.

Pixel Shooter · #2 08-14-2016, 03:05 PM

Most cost effective is hunting with another Waterfowler in all seriousness. Too many variables. Easier beginning season and gets tougher as the migration starts. You can do a water hole with 12 floaters and a mojo if u know what your looking for. Learn and you will know what you want to purchase after a season. We all like grunts for set up and take downs lol especially after 1000 plus snow set up lol. Fun game to get into. Won't be disappointed

nube · #3 08-14-2016, 03:50 PM

I had an add a while back selling full bodie duck decoys and have some shell duck decoys left as well. They are good decoys I just don't use them much any more. I even use the full bodies in water shoots as well. I just cut small pvc pipe 3 feet long and the decoy sits on top of them. This works awesome with the decoy sitting high out of the water. It looks like they are all on a mud bar in the middle of the pond. You can even have them 2 feet out of the water and it works well.

NSDucknut · #4 08-14-2016, 04:56 PM

I think basspro has 1 dozen mallards and a mojo on for $100, hard to beat. You'll kill ducks if you've got a pond to toss them in

32-40win · #5 08-14-2016, 10:05 PM

Floating decoys can be used for water and field shoots. When it comes to shells vs fullbodies vs rag type dekes like the sillosock or the silhouettes, the debate is primarily one of space and cost. They are all effective, but, fullbodies require a lot of space and a lot of money.You'll get more for your money, about 2-1, and take less space with shells. Difference between shells and silhouettes and sillosocks styles pricewise, is near to 2-1 again, but the sillisocks/silos take less space again. When it comes to hunting snows, you need lots of dekes, so cost and space really come into the equation. I am in the camp that thinks that sillosock style Canada dekes have too much movement for Canadas.
Shot some great duck shoots with 1/2 doz dekes and some great goose shoots with 3 doz goose dekes, and had some krappy ones with hundreds of dekes, the right spot and good concealment, are more important than the number of dekes.

Bushleague · #6 08-14-2016, 10:41 PM

I spent several seasons jumpshooting waterfowl by cruising creeks in my canoe before I started using decoys at all. If you have a buddy along you can actually "drive" them this way since often the ducks will just fly a couple bends ahead of you and then land again. Break the creek down into sections, drop your buddy off in the canoe and go wait for him at the next access, then switch spots. Usually results in good shooting for both parties.

happy honker · #7 08-16-2016, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nube

I even use the full bodies in water shoots as well. I just cut small pvc pipe 3 feet long and the decoy sits on top of them. This works awesome with the decoy sitting high out of the water. It looks like they are all on a mud bar in the middle of the pond. You can even have them 2 feet out of the water and it works well.

Hey Nube, thanks for posting that. Great idea!
I use duck floaters, but my spot has seen tons of geese last 2 seasons so I was looking for some Canada floaters...they are expensive.
Any pics of that modification? I'm going to give that a shot for sure, as I have a pile of Canada shells I never use anymore.

Thanks Nube...I'm off to home depot!

nube · #8 08-16-2016, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by happy honker

Hey Nube, thanks for posting that. Great idea!
I use duck floaters, but my spot has seen tons of geese last 2 seasons so I was looking for some Canada floaters...they are expensive.
Any pics of that modification? I'm going to give that a shot for sure, as I have a pile of Canada shells I never use anymore.

Thanks Nube...I'm off to home depot!

Just cut cheap 1 inch pvc plastic pipe. I usually have them about 2.5-3.5 feet long. I have put GHG full body duck and goose decoys on them out in the water. Like I said you can even sit them out of the water a foot or more and it makes no difference as the birds can't tell till its too late. Being up out of the water the birds can see them from longer distances as well. It looks real good out there and it looks like they are just sitting there resting on a sandbar. If nobody buys my full body duck decoys I will put them back up after the season.

MK2750 · #9 08-16-2016, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by happy honker

Hey Nube, thanks for posting that. Great idea!
I use duck floaters, but my spot has seen tons of geese last 2 seasons so I was looking for some Canada floaters...they are expensive.
Any pics of that modification? I'm going to give that a shot for sure, as I have a pile of Canada shells I never use anymore.

Thanks Nube...I'm off to home depot!

Google search making shell decoys float. I used Styrofoam years ago when I had no money for floaters. The pipe insulation seems to work too but I haven't tried that.

snowman160 · #10 08-16-2016, 11:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MK2750

Google search making shell decoys float. I used Styrofoam years ago when I had no money for floaters. The pipe insulation seems to work too but I haven't tried that.

My buddy turned 4 dozen snow shells into floaters with 1" foam cut to fit an then screwed in the bottom of the decoy.works great we've killed a Ton of snows beside sheet water or waterholes with a feild spread in the spring an fall!