Virtually every species of waterfowl are sociable - gathering in groups in the wild for both protection and comradeship. Because waterfowl are so social, the right bird ecoys give the ultimate cues to overflying birds that tend to be naturally wary. To overflying birds, the right waterfowl spread says, "Hey! There's some other birds like me down there! It must be safe!"
The wise hunter knows that just going out and buying a few packs of decoys isn't enough. There are a few rules that experienced hunters have learned the hard way over years in the wild.
A huge amount of decoys won't do you any good at all if you stick them back into the flooded cornfields, or in the tall cattails, or in the corner of a field where birds can't get a good look as they pass overhead. While it never hurts to put a few blocks near some cover, most of your decoy spread should be out in the open where passing ducks and geese can see them and be lured in.
Another important rule is that your decoys should have vivid, lifelike colors, which means they should be freshly painted. This ensures that your decoys' appeal to your desired targets will be maximized. Make sure you pay special attention to the light and dark or white and black areas on decoys because those colors show up best in the field - especially under the low light situations that hunters deal with every day in the field.
Decoys can be made more visible with a little white added to the sides of bluebills or near the ends of Canadas, or the chests of drake pintails. Dark Decoys show up fairly well, but artistically painted decoys attract more waterfowl. Their rich colors really increase their ability to get far-off birds in close, as long as flat, no-glare paint is used.
Remember that during the early part of the season, most ducks are still in their eclipse plumage. Drakes won't have the brilliant colors that they'll sport later on in the year. If you increase the ratio of hens to drakes in your decoy spread during the early season, you'll get better results. Add more colorful drakes as the season rolls along.
Even the most visible and attractive spread of decoys won't be able to draw in the numbers of waterfowl that you want to see if they're located in an undesirable spot. Birds aren't going to come in and land off a wind-swept point that's being buffeted by high waves! Waterfowl don't like being knocked around any more than you do. Birds are more attracted to a calm water on the leeward side of a point, so put your decoys to work there.
If you're in for nasty weather, put your decoys in secluded potholes or marshes. Ducks and geese that sense that type of weather will often head for those types of areas.
Good hunters work even on the off-season. If you check and replace any missing anchors or chafed lines before opening day, you'll save yourself a lot of frustration and hunting time.
An organized hunter is a deadly hunter. Keep your decoys in nylon mesh bags according to species, with Mallards in one bag, goose floaters in another, bluebills in a third and collections of widgeon, pintails and coots in another.