Thread: open lake decoy setups

i am shooting on lake wairarapa on opening weekend and im trying to decide how to set up my deeks to look the most appealing. over the last couple years iv only set out a dozen or so mallards a few parrie and a robo flapper thing but it dosent really pull the hoards of birds that fly past our maimai, iv got plenty of deeks to play with (a mixed bag of 50+) and iv tried the landing zone setups etc but im wondering what formations etc have worked well for others that shoot on large open lakes.
cheers

I wouldn't worry about formations too much, just don't have your furtherest out of shooting range, as quite often then will land out side the spread, I usually set mine off to the left or right in a cross wind.
If that wind is right over your shoulder then have them tighter and out infront.
I've had ducks avoid landing zones a fair bit but still in shooting range.

Stick your mojo in your preferred landing zone.
Throw a couple of swans down wind or in close depending of wind direction

I hope you've started practicing your calling already

If there is a wind try setting a tail of decoys from down wind of your position heading upwind past you at say 15 to 20 yards in front of the mai mai with a concentration of decoys level or slightly past you on the up wind side.

On open water ducks are often heading somewhere sheltered when it blows. You are dragging them in for a close look. It might be considered a type of calculated pass shooting.

I shall try this mr Allen and dedicate my first unwilling target to your fine self.heres to hoping proof of theory is in dead ducks!!!

Originally Posted by Tim Allen

If there is a wind try setting a tail of decoys from down wind of your position heading upwind past you at say 15 to 20 yards in front of the mai mai with a concentration of decoys level or slightly past you on the up wind side.

On open water ducks are often heading somewhere sheltered when it blows. You are dragging them in for a close look. It might be considered a type of calculated pass shooting.

Yep - that is exactly what we do. Believe me - the tail really works, and the ducks tend to fly over the tail, heading towards the bunch of decoys upwind. The tail must be within comfortable shooting range, and not too wide ie. just have a line of decoys in the tail. You don't need the ducks to try to land, although many will.

As a rule birds will land into the wind so if its windy set your decoys with the above advice^^^

If its not windy try a Dundee wonder duck as I'm sure Lake Wairarapa has some bloody big motors in the deep.

PIC_1357 - YouTube

that eel is a bloody good idea iv gotta remember to try that one out haha. iv devised a plan from your info so i hope it works. cheers