My Field Setup

I started to really hunt the fields for ducks this year, and thought I would share what I learned with everyone. All we have are mallards, so I don't know if these tricks will work with any others.

Fist off, they like goose decoys better then duck decoys. I don't know if it is a confidence issue, or a sight (geese are A LOT easier to see in fields), or what it is. I do mix a few ducks IN my spread if I am only going for ducks, or if I am going for geese too I put the duck decoys outside of my spread a little bit.

Also, a spinning wind decoy of some sort really helps. I have a mojo and modified a fan stand so that I could still use it in the frozen fields. Also, at the end of season, we got and Air Lucky and the wind blows enough here that that worked really good too.

They only went to corn. I tried bean and alfalfa fields, but they wouldn't even think about going in there.

Calling didn't seem to make any difference. The day I did the best I left the call in the truck by accident. There were so many birds in the air, though, that it didn't matter. They were all talking and you couldn't tell if the sound was coming from you or them.

Last, ducks move when they get in a field. If they land in your field but not in range, wait. As soon as they land, they start walking. I watched groups of 1,000 or so go from one end of a mile long field to the other in less then 15 min. Once they hit the end, they pick up and go to another field. They did this nonstop for 8 hours in my area. So, if they weren't working my field, I just waited for a little bit and then here they came.

_________________
All the federalizes say, they could of had him any day.

What I have learned is the goose decoys are good at long distances for attracting ducks, but if I'm targeting ducks then I set up my landing area with ducks around it and a good approach lane. Typically they drop in the hole.

For calling heavy aggressive calling is best or nothing 200-5000 ducks in the air make enough chatter that the calling has to be heavy or not at all.

Spinning wings....okay here's the deal. Over water spinning wing decoys effects are really suspect to variables. In a feild or a flooded field that isn't the case. Most of the studies that show spinners to be effective have most of their supporting data come from field hunting. But here's the thing, they really don't attract more ducks to a field but the ducks that come will come to the spinner. If spinners are legal in your area there use in field hunting is amazing. In fact those that want them banned and use their effects in a field to bolster that claim, its hard to argue with.

Like geese a good hide is helpful but not nearly as needed to be as perfect as it needs to be for geese.

_________________
The Donger needs food

Here is a new picture of my spread that I like to use when going mainly for ducks in the field. It gives them lanes to land in that funnel straight to my layout blinds, uses geese as backers to keep the from landing behind me, and also allows the geese to come in. If I think I am going to get much goose action, I won't use the mojo, put more geese behind me, and widen the lanes to about 30 yards wide. If I am going mainly for ducks, then it is two family groups of 5 or so geese and lanes that are 10 yards wide or so. Also, the picture isn't to scale. Through out the number of decoys you feel would work best for you.

_________________
All the federalizes say, they could of had him any day.

That's a pretty good set up. My only sugestion would be instead of having the geese behind you surround your layout blind with them (it helps hide the layout blind). I even put a couple shells on us in the layout blinds (particularly on our legs) to lend in even better. If you can bury you blinds a bit or completely this isn't as necessary.

The only other thing is make sure you leave about 15 to 20 yards open between your duck groups. Give them good wide holes to land and they will be right in your face.

GREAT SET-UP

_________________
The Donger needs food

WHOOPS reread how wide you were looking to make your lanes.......that should work great.

NEAT PIC....man I gotta learn how to do that. It sure would make some of my decoy explaintions alot simplier. I'm a computer neophyte.

_________________
The Donger needs food

That was just paint. All versions of windows comes with it. It is under the accessories page. Play with it a little and you will figure it out. Very simple to use.

_________________
All the federalizes say, they could of had him any day.