Killer Combo: Set 'Em Up to Take 'Em Down

Some of my most effective decoy setups over the years have been mixed spreads incorporating an assortment of both floating decoys in the water and field decoys on dry land. These arrangements have accounted for countless ducks and geese on many hunts, largely because they depict contented, resting birds so well. They can include ducks, geese or a combination of both, regardless of what birds you’re targeting, as it’s completely natural for both types of birds to be present.

In short, floater/field decoy combo spreads are versatile and deadly, and they should be part of any duck or goose hunter’s rotation. Let’s take a closer look at where to best employ these setups and how to create the illusion of a relaxed group of loafing birds.

BUILD IT

Open shorelines on reservoirs or lakes, and islands or sandbars on big rivers, are some ideal places to deploy a combination floater/field deke spread. Waterfowl gravitate to such places to feel safe. They can see for great distances, and any land-based predators will be exposed before they reach them. Waterfowl use these locations mainly for roosting and resting, so contented decoy postures excel.

Canada geese act as confidence decoys in a land-and-water spread. Geese have incredible eyesight, have a guard-dog mentality and always have sentries that are on alert for trouble, so waterfowl know that if geese are present, it’s likely safe. Ducks, therefore, have no qualms about landing with geese, especially along open shorelines. In fact, they look for them.

Land-and-sea spreads are convincing because they resemble a flock of birds that have occupied a favorite location for some time. Ducks and geese don’t usually pile onto a shoreline, sandbar or island unless other birds are already there or they’ve been there before, so a spread that refelcts that projects a sense of security. Birds will usually land short in the water, scope things out and then gradually move up on shore when they are certain it’s safe. Your spread should suggest that some birds have been there awhile and others have just arrived and are working their way into the shallows.

Resources and logistics largely determine how this type of spread takes shape. If you have a bunch of decoys and an easy way of getting them there, load up. Big spreads look quite convincing, especially later in the season.

Shore Strategies

Full-body Canada goose decoys are highly visible due to their size and typically dark coloration, making them superior confidence decoys. Feature them in the main body of your spread on shore. Cluster them tightly on the spread’s upwind side, use more resters and sleepers, and spot a few uprights or sentries throughout the spread. Later in the season, and as temperatures drop, add more sleepers. Place these in small, contented groups facing into the wind near the front, upwind end of the spread. Pro tip: One-piece sleeper shells take up less space and are quick to deploy.

If full-body decoys aren’t an option, shells and silhouettes can also work, especially if you set out a whole bunch of them. I particularly like Dive Bomb Industries’ V2FF silhouettes due to their lifelike poses and non-glare finishes—and because you can pack five-dozen into one of their custom bags—but similar silhouettes work, too. Next, put a few floaters in the water to imitate birds that have recently landed and are making their way to shore.

If targeting ducks, full-body field duck decoys are essential. A flock of puddle ducks that features some birds sitting on shore preening and the rest swimming in the water is a natural look. All duck species are used to associating with mallards, so magnum-sized field mallards on shore—my personal favorites are Hardcore Waterfowl’s new ultra-durable and lifelike Rugged Series—should grab the attention of passing birds. Those decoys come with both stakes and stands in case the ground is frozen solid—an important consideration, especially for late-season hunts.

Water Wisdom

Floaters can be mallards or other species, depending on where you’re hunting. A couple dozen decoys in two clusters leading up to shore look natural. In Midwest states occupying parts of the Atlantic Flyway, black duck decoys may be the better choice, but in the Mississippi Flyway, mallards are the bread-and-butter ducks and should get the nod. In the Central Flyway, a hodgepodge of birds is more likely, so using a mix of species may prove more productive. Because the dekes are set in shallow water close to shore, Texas-rigged decoys work well and are quick and easy to deploy. If you put floating decoys out near an island or sandbar where there’s current, ensure you have anchors that will sufficiently hold the bottom, or you’ll be chasing decoys all day.

On lakes that diving ducks frequent, you can add some brightly colored drake bluebills or canvasbacks on mother lines to funnel birds into the spread. Use a 4-pound cannonball or sash weight to anchor each end. Clip the decoys to 1/4-inch rope using halibut clips at 5-foot intervals close to shore and increase the distance between decoys to 10 feet the farther out you go. The gaudy drakes are highly visible, and birds traveling down the lake will pick up the end of the lines and funnel right into the spread.

Add a few feeders here and there close to shore, spot a spinner in each cluster of decoys in the water and set maybe a heron or two onshore, and you have the ultimate decoy spread. Ideally, it will resemble a giant “C,” and approaching birds will plop down right in the middle in easy shooting range.

HUNT ’EM UP

Hiding can be problematic depending on available cover. Willows and brush are common along rivers and shorelines where you can easily put up an A-frame blind. Options like Barronett Blinds’ Field Shield Adjustable Panel Blind take up little space, are quick and easy to set up and can be brushed in with local vegetation so they become invisible. The panels can be joined together to accommodate larger parties.

Barren islands and shorelines are perfect for layout blinds. The low-profile blinds blend in with the background, and you disappear among the decoys on shore. You can even just cover yourself with camo cloth or burlap, or a white sheet if there’s ice or snow.

Resting birds on open shorelines and sandbars are not overly vocal. If geese start honking excitedly, they know something’s up or they’re trying to get the attention of a passing flock. Subtle honks or clucks, or feed chuckles or raspy quacks, are usually all that’s needed. Let your decoys do the rest.

Because you might be hunting both ducks and geese, picking the appropriate shot size can be tricky. Number 2 or 3 shot that would normally excel for ducks isn’t enough for tough, late-season honkers, and heavy BB or BBB is overkill on ducks. I’ve found that a good compromise is something like Fiocchi’s Golden Waterfowl load in No. 1 shot. The 12-gauge, 3-inch load provides a dense pattern over decoys and has enough stopping power and penetration to anchor winter Canadas with lots of fat and feathers.

You don’t always need a massive spread for land-and-water combination setups. Even putting a half-dozen honkers on shore and a dozen mallards in the water is better than putting all your decoys in one basket. Even in a prairie pothole, things will look more natural if you can find a place to set decoys both in the water and on the shore.

TRUSTED TOOLS

• Five items sure to boost your odds of success when setting combination decoy spreads.

While the gear needed to create convincing land-and-water combo spreads isn’t extensive, a few key items are essential. Some, like an effective hunting load and a reliable shotgun, are things every waterfowl hunter needs. Others, like portable blinds and field decoys, are more specific to the situation. In any case, here are five solid pieces of equipment to get on track.

LETHAL LOAD

Fiocchi’s Golden Waterfowl shotshells ($21.99/25 rounds) use precise, uniform-plated steel shot and deliver incredibly dense patterns at the optimum velocities for maximum knockdown potential. U.S.-made and available in several common shot sizes in 3-inch, 12-gauge loads, these are dependable options for any duck or goose hunter.

FAITHFUL FAKES

Dive Bomb Industries’ V2FF (Fully Flocked) Canada Silhouettes ($135/12-pack) provide maximum light absorption to eliminate glare. The pure black head flocking adds incredible pop and contrast, while the flocked feather detail adds uncanny realism and depth. Their durable plastic material and one-piece, powder-coated spring steel stakes will withstand years of abuse. They are lightweight at only 6 pounds per dozen, and a 12-pack contains six feeders, two resters, two lookers and two dekes with a quartering-away head positioning.

CLUTCH CONCEALMENT

The Barronett Blinds Field Shield Adjustable Panel Blind ($89.99) offers portable, quick concealment. It’s rugged, quiet and built to handle years of abuse. It weighs just 5 pounds, has a 96-inch width and features an adjustable height (24 to 40 inches). This makes the blind suitable whether you sit on the ground or in a chair. For hunts with several people, two Field Shield blinds can easily connect together for additional concealment.

DEADLY DEKES

Hardcore Waterfowl’s new Rugged Series Full Body Field Mallard Decoys ($159.99/6-pack) are excellent. They feature FowlFlex technology to withstand years of abuse. True-to-life paint schemes imitate fully plumed mallards, and decoys are oversized for maximum visibility. Meanwhile, TruMotion 2.0 bases and field stakes provide lifelike movement with just a breath of wind. The decoys sport integrated tail loops for easy pickup and carrying, too. The six-pack contains one upright drake, one upright hen, three feeder drakes and one feeder hen, as well as six 20-inch field stakes and round stands for any ground conditions.

SOLID SCATTERGUN

Stoeger’s inertia-operated Model 3500 Waterfowl Special ($899) utilizes oversized controls for easier operation with gloved hands; a rugged, weather-resistant construction and finish; and a specially engineered loading port for easier loading in cold weather. The 3 1/2-inch-chambered semi-auto cycles everything from magnum loads to 2 3/4-inch target loads without adjustment and comes with five removable chokes.