Duck Decoys: A Small History
Using duck decoys for hunting ducks is not a modern invention nor is the trick new. The practice of using decoys is centuries old. It has been found that the Native American Indians used decoys almost two thousand years ago. Some of the oldest decoys were made of reeds, and real duck feathers were used to camouflage the reed shape. But of course hunting was not a sport at that time, i.e. one for just fun. People used to feed their families with the duck meat.
Hunters over the centuries adapted the decoys to their advantage and have gained experience for the future generations to develop the decoys more effectively. The first mass production of decoys was made in Detroit, Michigan. It was the brainchild of William Mason, an avid duck hunter and the founder of Mason Decoy factory which made decoys between the periods 1896 to 1924.
In 1918, Joel Barber, an architect, started making decoys as an art form and started collecting them and exhibiting them all around. In 1934, he published a book, “Wild Fowl Decoys,” which grew into being the handbook on duck decoys.
The decoys in the olden days were made from wood. But with time, more lightweight materials were tried. Nowadays, decoys are being made from plastic, cork and also foam. Though plastic is proving to be durable it does not have the authenticity and effectiveness of the hand carved wooden decoys. Today’s decoys are also being motorized or made in such a way that they resemble a live duck in several ways.
Larger rivers with many bends and off springs are excellent habitat for mallards to seek safe havens to hangout at for the day as well as great locations to set up blinds along the shallow water banks edge. This is also and ideal location to set up your duck decoys. Use about 60 mallard duck decoys and a dozen drake decoys in your staging. The majority of the mallard duck decoys should be position slightly upwind from your blind in a large family cluster with the remaining mallard and drake duck decoys scattered naturally in singles and pairs downwind from the family cluster.
When working channels, it is wise to block the channel off with decoys to encourage the waterfowl to land on first pass. Ducks and geese natural flight pattern is to follows the main river in search of channels that look safe to land. If they see other ducks or geese already in a channel, their instinct is to land thinking it is safe. Strategically place singles and pairs of decoys along the edges of the channel to add to the natural appearance. The wider the portion of the river or channel you work the more decoys you will need. Have a good working knowledge of the river and the locations where you might be setting up camp prior to hitting the water to ensure you have all the equipment you may need.
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