Follow these tips to lengthen the life of your decoys, add realism, and get more bang for your buck.
Hack 1: Turn leakers into field decoys
Retiring leaky decoys to a field spread can give them some longevity, and cost-effectively fill out your spread.
At a minimum, cut off the keel to ensure they don’t tip to one side or the other. You can also take it a step further and put them on a motion stake for added realism.
Cut out a reasonably sized hole in the bottom of the decoy.
Drill the hole for the motion stake just in front of the decoy’s centre balance point. This props it up slightly, on an angle akin to that of a real duck walking in the field. This imparts realism and you get the added benefit of some motion.
Hack 2: Turn goose shells into floaters
Turning goose field shells into floaters is cost friendly, and because they are stackable, can save you a ton of room in the boat.
To turn field shells into dual-purpose decoys, simply buy some pipe insulation which will be attached to the bottom edge of the decoy.
Drill five holes, appropriately spread out (3⁄4”) near the bottom edge of the decoy, with one in the very centre at the front of the decoy (this is where you’ll attach your decoy chord).
Insert the insulation along the bottom edge and then fasten to the decoy using zip ties that run through the drilled holes. Be sure to extend the foam beyond the back edge of the shell, wrapping it around to connect the foam tube to itself at the back end.
This creates a complete oval which will help the decoy ride the water and also prevents it from tipping forward (shells are slightly front heavy). Best used in shallow or calm water.
For more DIY’s, click here.
Originally published in the 2018-2019 Hunting Annual edition of Ontario OUT of DOORS magazine.
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