Duck Decoys

Using Duck Decoys in Flooded Timber and Swamps

Flooded timbers and swamps can make as good as any location for duck hunting if the hunter knows the nature of the ducks hunting and a few well-devised strategies to counteract the problems timbers and swamps can pose. 

Flooded timbers and swamps are not a general flocking area for ducks or geese.  Initially they will gather in a larger body of water and then break way for feeding in smaller groups to locations such as flooded timbers and swamps.  These locations offer ample supplies of food for various ducks and geese so make prime feeding grounds.

Contrary to many hunters beliefs that timbers pose to many problems for a proper aim and blinds, one can easily disguise themselves leaning against the shaded side of a tree.  Deeper waters, although not always easy to maneuver in, duck blind boats work well as cover.  Swamplands offer various locations to put up natural blinds that bring you up-close to the action. 

When setting up decoys in flooded timbers it is vital that they are visible.  Using larger duck or goose decoys is highly recommended for these conditions.  Ducks will zero in on the first decoy they see and the larger decoys allow the ducks to spot them from a further distance.  Not only do the larger decoys draw the attention of overhead ducks, the hunter does not need to haul and use a many decoys.  Set up is quicker allowing for more hunting time and less risks of scaring away any early birds.  Thirty large duck decoys can draw attention of incoming ducks better then what a 100 standard size can in flooded timbers.

Duck hunting in the swamps requires hauling a bit more decoys to the site depending on the size of the hole.  On an average, a good number of mixed duck decoys are 75 to 150 with mallards being the domineering duck decoy along with a third of them being black duck decoys.  Solid black duck decoys give a strong contrast to the mallards and are visible at a further range then the mallard.  Once the incoming ducks catch the site of the black ducks they zero in and then make out the mallards easing any suspicions. 

Place the decoys on the upwind side of the hole in two separate family clusters leaving ample room for incoming ducks to land.  Keep the family units of decoys in a tight formation with a few single decoys and a couple paired off decoys strayed between the two main family clusters.  Strategically place some decoys along the cover in the tree line of the swamp hole.  This gives it a natural look as ducks after landing swim back into cover to feed safely.  Do not be afraid to use a few motion decoys or jerk strings to give the decoys some movement causing water ripples.  This also gives off an overall more natural look that will be sure to draw in your game.