| Duck decoys for hunting have been around for a | | | | Since the object behind using decoys is to attract |
| several hundred years. Native American Indians made | | | | ducks to come within gunshot range, it is necessary |
| the first known decoys from painting tall grasses. | | | | to experiment with a variety of special kinds of |
| The early colonists followed suit and carried that | | | | spreads to find out what works for you. Keep in |
| knowledge back to Europe. Americans began carving | | | | mind, different times of the hunting season, different |
| duck decoys from wood in the 1800's. Carvers made | | | | times of the day, and different kinds of waterfowl all |
| and painted them in patterns suggesting feathers to | | | | require different spreads. |
| attract the waterfowl. | | | | And then there are confidence decoys just to make |
| Decoys are still hand carved from wood. Hunters | | | | the waterfowl more comfortable and more likely to |
| claim wood decoys are the most realistic - riding on | | | | come in close to your rig to make for a more |
| the water the same as real live ducks. Many are solid | | | | successful hunting season. Study the natural |
| wood, but decoys are also made with hollow centers. | | | | occurrence of waterfowl that naturally habitat the |
| That increases the portability some. But to make it | | | | area that you are hunting and adjust your spread to |
| possible to carry large numbers of decoys long | | | | match. The idea is to set up your spread where the |
| distances to every stream, river, lake, to every | | | | waterfowl want to be and match your spread to |
| marsh and pothole, they are made from cork or | | | | bring them close to your rig. |
| foam, plastic or even fabric. Inflatable decoys; | | | | So, be observant. Research the area. Learn from |
| motorized decoys; field decoys; kite decoys; these | | | | experience. Experiment. And then have fun! |
| are just a few of the many varieties available. | | | | |