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HUNT WISE OPTIMIZING A DECOY SPREAD BY SIMON O'CONNOR "DUCKS VIRTUALLY NEVER LAND RIGHT IN AMONGST THEMSELVES AND THEREFORE IF YOU HAVE A SWAG OF DECOYS CHOKING UP YOUR OPTIMUM SHOOTING SWEET-SPOT, YOUR DUCKS WILL LAND ELSEWHERE AND POSSIBLY OUT OF RANGE." HUNTING & FISHING NEW ZEALAND, MANAWATU uch of my hunting has been on large farm ponds, then last season | accepted an invitation from Chris Scully to join a crew hunting the big water, namely Lake Ellesmere, an experience that added a new dimension to my waterfowling. When it came to decoy setting in this environment, it was great to be picking up tips from some of NZ's most M Next consider the mix. The selection of postures and colour variations decoys are manufactured in these days is awesome. Take advantage of this by having plenty that look relaxed, because loafing, sleeping ducks signal that all is well and there is no danger about. That Decoys are the tools to gain the ducks initial attention, convince them all's said, a few swimmers and alert (heads up) decoys will represent the more good, then 'finish' them when they're too close to call to. A good trickis to set socially engaged birds. Every drake enjoys a party! It's recognized that the mallards introduced to NZ were from an English park, and not pure wild mallards. Couple this with the subsequent interbreeding with grey ducks and we have a mixture of plumage to replicate, particularly for drakes. Some flight path is not visible from your maimai, or if you're 'busy' looking down like have almost hen-like 'ectipse colours' others the stunning feather detail of the pure mallard green-head. Avery GHG Grey (US Black) Ducks and Avian-X coloured (grey duck) decoys or magnums for the ultimate long-range visibility. Early Season Mallards are your go-to for the eclipse 'NZ duck' variation. The investment in qualityis a big recommendation as the Avery XD and Avian-X Cunning mallards will'spot the fraud' if there is an unrealistic size variation in Mallards are manufactured from a higher grade, more flexible plastic that holds its paint well, extending the life of the decoys. Posture and colour detail is amazing, but other advantages include a superior keel design to enhance swimming action. They even have crafty features that give you setting options that keep the weights secure to prevent pre-dawn tangles. For more casual hunting we've negotiated a HOT DEAL on the Essential Mallards from Avery. You get 12 (6H/6D) mallards in a great mix of postures all for the experienced duck hunters. a few decoys out in the open in a position that is visible from long distances, chances are the ducks will have already hooked on these before you even know they've arrived. Decoys set in this way can be really handy if the duck when making a coffee and don't spot the birds on their first pass. Use darker If using magnums, keep them separate from your regular sized decoys. your spread. You've got their attention, and they are circling checking things out, looking for danger. Now the lay-out of the rest of your decs will be coming under intense scrutiny. A key to the pulling power now becomes replicating a natural scene. The best way to plan for this is to sneak into your spot prior to the season and observe the ducks habits and rituals in a natural undisturbed fashion. Watch where they like to land and make a mental note to LEAVE THIS AREA OPEN IF IT IS IN SHOOTING RANGE! Ducks virtually NEVER land right in amongst themselves and therefore if you have a swag of decoys choking up your optimum shooting sweet-spot, your ducks will land elsewhere and possibly out of range. So, leave the sweet-spot open, apart from a pair of mallards with heads-up. We call these 'landers' and their job is to replicate ducks that have just arrived so birds 'following' will see this as an appropriate place to head for. You don't want to be a one trick pony, so if you've seen other species such as swans, geese, paradise ducks or shovellers in the area, adda few of these as 'confidence decoys, the bonus will be more variety to your bag. Apart from swans which can be scattered throughout a spread, keep other decoys in their own species groups. excellent price of just $109.99. Last but not least, consider motion decoys. They attract attention from afar, then become a great distraction for the incoming birds on their approach. The ducks will be looking at them, not noticing you in the maimai preparing to shoot. Some move water, others just flap, so talk to us in-store for the best advice on the model most suited to your hunting location. D34 HUNTING

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