Making the right decision in how you deploy your duck decoys in smaller bodies of water like ponds and potholes will determine how much success you have. Hunting potholes, ponds, and small lakes are excellent locations for a pleasant day of duck hunting. Ponds bordered with mudflats or bare banks are one of the most sought after habitats for ducks, which make those little farm ponds are a sweet retreat for mallards and pintails. Mid mornings are the best time to catch flocks of ducks and geese enjoying the shallow waters nibbling away happily.
Small-bodied waters are a great place to put up shore blinds early in the morning before daybreak or to host a permanent blind. Ducks roost in larger flocks on larger bodies of water and then at daybreak separate into smaller units looking for a place to enjoy the day. Ponds and smaller bodies of water make the perfect haven for ducks and geese. Setting up early makes great potential for the hunter to bag their limit. When hunting smaller bodies of water the same rules apply as larger bodies; if there is wind, always set up blinds so the wind is at the blinds back. Remember ducks land against the wind.
Uses any where from 50 to 70 mallard decoys placed in a “C” formation with the opening in the center of the spread. You want your decoys positioned to encourage the birds to land within gunshot range, which is generally not as big of an issue as with larger bodies of water. Use 50% full body mallard decoys and 50% floating decoys with the reason being, when ducks are enjoying the day you will see just as many on land along the banks as you will on the water. You want to mimic the ducks natural habits. Full body decoys also offer more visibility to incoming flocks. Use various full body duck decoys postures also to make the environment appear more natural.
Places most the full-body decoys along the bank and then a place a handful of poled full-body decoys in the water to give the appearance of movement in the water, floaters on the edge of formation, and then give the appearance of full-bodied decoys nearing the edge of the bank. It doesn’t hurt to use a few radio-controlled decoys or jerk string to give ripple to the water to show activity as well. Picture your formation as if you was looking at it from an aerial view and make it as natural looking as possible to lure in the duck, give a good landing area and enable you to bag your limit.
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