Duck Decoy Spreads Pt 1 | Realistic vs Manipulation | Decoy Masterclass

On this Decoy Masterclass Joel answers many questions for you about decoys. How many, what species and how to arrange, plus helping you decide which style of spreads should work better for you- Realistic or Manipulation.
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Joel Strickland (@mrproducersir) is a lifelong waterfowler, duck hunting guide and producer/director in the film and television industry.
Thanks for checking out this video! If you enjoyed it, please give us a like and subscribe to this channel. Surviving Duck Season is a first of its kind waterfowling KZbin Channel. Our team is comprised of individuals from across the country who hunt every day of duck season. The waterfowler's lifestyle is more than just duck hunting, and on our channel we have lots of different types of content: Duck and goose hunting videos, cooking, DIY projects, reviews and suggestions on products and gear, and of course lots of tips and tactics. Every week of the year we drop at least one piece of content, so you will always have great waterfowling content to watch, at any time of the year!
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#DecoySpreads #SurvivingDuckSeason

[@SurvivingDuckSeason]

Get Surviving Duck Season MERCH!! survivingduckseason.com/merchandise.html T-Shirts and Hoodies available today!

[@forestsolt901]

This dude is the tactical bassin of the duck hunting youtube world. Love the videos👍

[@teekay1785]

Subscribers still inching up maybe 20K first part of the season! commenting to help algorithm .

[@HokeOutdoors]

Fantastic video Joel! Can't wait for the rest of this series!

[@SurvivingDuckSeason]

Thanks Thomas! Looks like I should have gone back to VA and hunted with you. Y'all been kill'n it!

[@cfoutdoors243]

Can't wait for the next vid. I love your vids because they are for everybody, not just the beginners. Great intro for a good series of vids coming👍👍👍

[@SurvivingDuckSeason]

Thanks! Glad you like them!

[@Drblood6721]

Another A+ video Joel, you are gonna deliver a master class. Can't wait! Just finished reeding up the blind here in VT. Duck open 10/10 and I got a good feeling about this year!

[@SurvivingDuckSeason]

Thanks! I have a good feeling about this year too! Have fun!

[@Blue_Collar_Hunter]

Awesome. Hope you have an amazing season Joel.

[@SurvivingDuckSeason]

Thanks, you too!

[@Goosemaster1810]

Biggest part of my spread is goose decoys with a few duck floaters in the pond. Dry field in back water in front. We just re arrange the spread depending on wind direction. Hey guys jump on Joel’s hoodies I ordered one last spring. Top quality and comfortable. Another gem Joel. God Bless you brother

[@SurvivingDuckSeason]

Thank's David! Glad you're enjoying the hoodie.

[@joshuaeck2712]

Good info thanks again! I ordered my high and dry waders because of your use of them and got one of your t shirts for telling the guys there i learned about them from you!!

[@SurvivingDuckSeason]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@danielharlen7836]

Another great video and thanks for the tips can't wait to try my hand at trying to get more ducks this year

[@SurvivingDuckSeason]

Right on! Have fun!

[@stephenswanzy5248]

Bro, loved the video and the monitor with the GFX. I love the set, everything looks good. Looking forward to the next one.👊🏻

[@SurvivingDuckSeason]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@kurtandjaxoutdoorshow8476]

Cant wait for more videos! this is gonna be an awesome series!

[@SurvivingDuckSeason]

Thanks for watching!

[@alexbyrom3851]

These are all so helpful

[@hankandrews9051]

Great video Joel!! Some good information there. I'm really looking forward to seeing some of your spread diagrams!

[@SurvivingDuckSeason]

Glad you liked it!! Thanks for your support 👍🏻👊🏻👊🏻

[@jeremybreeden77]

Thanks for another video Joel! Looking forward to your upcoming decoy series. I'm always love to learn more and try new things! Hope you got a chance to get after some teal!

[@SurvivingDuckSeason]

Thanks! Was hoping to teal hunt, but the farmers are way behind on harvest. So we didn’t have anything fixed up for teal. I shoulda taken a road trip 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@ethanmathias7974]

Great video Joel. I remember years back we thought it was a numbers game...which in certain area's I believe that's true. We threw out 90 dozen for a few years. Now we have fine tuned it and have dramatically reduced that number which is working out great!

[@SurvivingDuckSeason]

Wow that's a bunch!! I've never hunted with that many duck decoys. I bet that was an impressive sight!

[@jessekasper7486]

Thanks for the great videos

[@Woodsrider9338]

I have to wait, you are killing me!! 🤣 Thanks for the great content I really enjoy your channel, subscribed.

[@SurvivingDuckSeason]

Sorry Brian LOL. You won't have to wait too long!

[@ChasingGreen]

Pretty well the same way/theories we use. Nice job

[@SurvivingDuckSeason]

Great minds think alike!

[@woodduck635]

I've killed limits over 6 decoys on small ponds or creeks. But that isn't going to cut it in a flooded milo field or on a huge reservoir. You nailed it, Joel. You've got to be flexible and know your area!

[@SurvivingDuckSeason]

Thanks Tim!

[@aaronsnatic2446]

How you leave us hanging Joel...LOL!!!! Always leave them asking for more. Another great video, even make us old timers have to think!!!

[@SurvivingDuckSeason]

Haha, yep sorry! That phrase "Always leave them asking for more" is what I tell people when I do video production seminars lol!

[@aaronsnatic2446]

@@SurvivingDuckSeason a little "duck blind" ribbing.

[@jamiecope5382]

I use a whole lot of coots here in California. There's just so many that it makes a huge difference.gets me the edge on public.

[@rjohns10]

Great video Joel love the videos!!!

[@SurvivingDuckSeason]

Appreciate it! Glad you're loving them.

[@riveraanthony8950]

Where do you put your jerk rig decoys in your spread and why? I use the ultimate motion ducks spreader with 7 decoys. I typically use the C shaped spread. My Mallards are on the jerk rig if that makes any difference on where to put it. I use 4-5 dz decoys 18 GWT, 10 Pintails, 7 Widgeon, 6 coots, 6 Canvasbacks,10 mallards and 3 Specks.

[@DaddyDuck365]

Great video

[@SurvivingDuckSeason]

Thanks Matt!

[@lousassle9655]

What a tease lol Love the videos!!!

[@SurvivingDuckSeason]

Haha! It was originally going to be 1 video but it was waayyyyy too long!

[@jamiecope5382]

Both always of course

[@ksoutdoorsports]

Cool start to a series. It would be nice to have access to the blinds you guys run. It would sure beat standing in cattails. LOL

[@SurvivingDuckSeason]

Thank you! Yeah they're nice and comfortable.

[@tylersGBO]

Trout fishing vs Bass fishing. Match the hatch or big loud and flashy. Some days one works some days the other. One of the most fun parts of duck hunting is figuring out the decoy spread. When they do what you want, you look like a genius.

[@SurvivingDuckSeason]

Yes indeed. When I’m putting out my decoys I often say “This is going to make me a hero or a zero”! lol

[@nathanielmiska8266]

You are very informative in your videos so thank you. Are you able to make a video about duck blinds for a beginner and hides for professionals? That would be very useful. Today’s my 18th so I am starting to hunt smarter. Thank you

[@SurvivingDuckSeason]

I did a video a while back on blinds... It's more of an overview, but you should check it out. kzbin.info/www/bejne/mnm3YZtqjrWNoKs

[@neonwhitea.1548]

2 weeks out here in Kansas

[@aidenforrest2684]

I'm coming down Tuesday

[@gunguru7020]

Thanks Joel. This year is a huge experimental year for me. Especially as the ducks become stale. I changed over to GHG fully flocked decoys to see if that makes a difference. Also, I am experimenting with 4 doz pintails. to see if that is effective at all. Also, have a ton of motion to n play with. Do you have any experience with flocks/pods of like species?

[@SurvivingDuckSeason]

I normally use some pintails but only 6-8. So it's not a lot. I have thought about trying a spread with lots of pintails and black ducks. It would certainly be seen from way out. Normally when it comes to stale ducks, I go for much smaller spreads, and I also try more layout hunts (to get away from blinds). I've had flocked decoys over the years. The first one's I got were back in about 2008. I flocked some of my own too. They look good to me, but I'm not sure I can tell any difference in the way that ducks respond. Some days any advantage you can have may help a little.

[@gunguru7020]

@@SurvivingDuckSeason Thanks Joel. I will let you know. I have a dozen flocked blacks also. So happy summer is over!

[@Traumamonkey]

500 decoys per hunter. That’s the magic number. 😂😂😂

[@gooseflatwaterfowlers]

Your read my mind on how I hunt put out the species you’re seeing in your spot. I like to set decoys on what I see them doing in the hole. I learned last year that late in the year I saw mallards wadded up during the day. Until I saw that I was always the first to say move those decoys there to close now after seeing that I’ll make small wads in the hole. If I’m hunting a pond/timber I use a similar setup small wads of ducks very rarely do you see large rafts of ducks in those types of spots. If I’m hunting a open field I’m piling the decoys up in there think about when you see ducks in flooded fields you’ll see large rafts of ducks. The trick with black ducks I heard old timers always say they’d paint regular decoys black just so they’d show up better. Water motion in my opinion is a valuable asset it helps those decoys move some especially if there’s no wind.

[@SurvivingDuckSeason]

Good stuff!

[@bmead4262]

I use my mojos and flashers and few decoys as landing lights on a runway To get the birds attention and to line up on my spread the Mojoes are usually 50-60 yards wind down wind from my main spread So as the birds Passover they can key up on the decoy spread in front This really helps with the birds being mojo shy Or just decoy shy and a jerk cord I’ll put them in the X really been working well for me last five years

[@SurvivingDuckSeason]

Right on Brad! Yeah I've experimented quite a bit with placing the Mojos. That's how to find the best set up for the day!

[@alaskancoastallifestyle]

I have mallard and goldeneye decoys

[@cooperstricherz6789]

Your vids got me into hunting I killed my first pheasant yesterday morning

[@SurvivingDuckSeason]

Right on Cooper! Congrats!!

[@micahlowbe9067]

Would you leave dead ducks in the spread until you’re finished hunting or remove them immediately after being shot?

[@ifitflysitmustdie2418]

all depends on the conditions if theres not of birds flying i make sure they are dead and wait

[@shawnfarris8908]

Last year I watched a spot that I hunted at and there could be 3 to 50 duck, so when we go maybe 6 to 8 decoys and different decoys like you said bc there wood, gadwall, and mallards. We dont hunt it all the time maybe every other week depends on what I see when scouting.

[@SurvivingDuckSeason]

Right on! yeah those kinds of places usually don't take well to much pressure. I have some of those spots... I just have to be patient and wait for it to be right.

[@shawnfarris8908]

@@SurvivingDuckSeason most definitely. But sometimes the small coves are the best. My buddy seen over 100 ducks in that spot a few years ago when we had good cold weather.

[@bryandagostino3361]

Magnum decoy's vs. standard decoy's which is a better pick. Or could they be mixed.....

[@SurvivingDuckSeason]

It seems like any more, most decoys are magnum sized... or at least larger than life-sized. I do have some truly life-sized decoys from years ago, they are quite a bit smaller than what most companies sell today as a standard decoy. I do prefer the larger decoys because they are seen better. I don't think there is any reason why you couldn't mix them. If you did mix them, I'd put the larger decoys on the upwind side of the spread.

[@bryandagostino3361]

@@SurvivingDuckSeason thank you! I was thinking they could be used as the wall as you put it. Thanks Again.

[@SurvivingDuckSeason]

Bryan Dagostino yep! You’re welcome. 👍🏻

[@zanderdezarn9930]

my duck season doesn’t open until next week and i’m really excited

[@SurvivingDuckSeason]

Right on! I've got to wait a month and a half 😢... going to have to travel!

[@zanderdezarn9930]

Surviving Duck Season i’m sorry to hear that

[@aliharajli95]

That next vid better be soon😂. Next week is opening day. Will be my first time ever waterfowling. Ngl im kinda overwhelmed. Lets hope i come home with atleast 1 duck lol

[@aliharajli95]

Also if anyone has any tips on what shot size to use for 12 guage 3 in. Using a mossberg 500. Comes with modified choke i believe. The guy at the sporting shop told me to buy an 8 shot.. once i got home i realized lead isnt even allowed. And im sure 8 shot is no good. I went got 4 shot browning wicked wings. Still not sure if thats good for mallard. Would appreciate the help

[@ethanvanderwert21]

Ali you are all good with 4’s make sure you have a plug in your gun and proper licenses

[@SurvivingDuckSeason]

That video dropped yesterday! Hope it helps.

[@SurvivingDuckSeason]

Yes, #4 steel in 3inch should be fine for mallards over decoys. When I shot steel, I used #3. I'm currently shooting #5 in Bismuth.

[@aliharajli95]

@@SurvivingDuckSeason thanks man. Yup already watched that vid lol. Thanks for the good content and for answering my question. Appreciate it

[@alaskancoastallifestyle]

In my decoy spread I run about two dozen decoys

[@podunkish2278]

Seasons coming. Dont stretch this series out to long😂

[@SurvivingDuckSeason]

OK!! lol

[@benkizerboughner9678]

Isn't placing decoys and calling the point? You're trying to manipulate the ducks into landing in your spread! That's my understanding of the whole thing, trick the little buggers into getting shot. I can't understand why anyone would see it any other way. Unless it's a moral thing and you're trying to give the ducks a fair advantage but then what the hell's the point?

[@SurvivingDuckSeason]

Yep! I see it the same way. Everything we do is some sort of manipulation. There seems to be this movement of ‘realism’. Very few hunters can go sit on a perfect x with 6 decoys and consistently shoot ducks.