Duck decoys have been used by hunters for years to aid them in their hunting expeditions.  Today, they are even more well loved with collectors.  The purpose of duck decoys is to lure other animals into the range of the scope so that the hunter can shoot the ducks.  In North America, the decoys have been used for over two thousand years or more.  The Smithsonian Museum in the US houses the oldest duck decoys that have been found in the United States, Canada, and other areas in North America.  

The Native Americans made the decoys by hand with wood that they carved into, or they would use straw to make the duck shape.  Many of the decoys that have been found are more elaborate than others, with more colors or details.  The more elaborate the decoy’s are, the privileged the value will be for collectors and even hunters.  Before making a buy, examine the decoy properly.  The earlier duck decoys from the 1880s through the 1940s had a larger amount of point.  The eyes were also made of glass and the bodies were weighted for the perfect amount of buoyancy.  

To find duck decoys, the best place to seek is in online auction shops on the Internet.  Make sure that you double check the seller’s certificate before you commit to the buy.  This is due to the fact that if you are paying for an antique decoy, it could really be a reproduction.  Thrift shops and flea markets are also valuable places for duck decoys.  These locations are usually the best spots for the nicest duck decoys.  Many of the items that you find are from estate sells that the recent owner had no control over.  This is a wonderful spot to find valuable decoys.  

Even though the materials used for manufacturing duck decoys have changed, the thought of the body style has not changed at all.  The modern decoys are just as effective as the antique versions.  When hunting in large water areas, the thought is that the more decoys used the better your chances are.  It is also recommended that you stray away from using the same decoy each time that you go hunting.  

When you are hunting in wetland areas, to ensure that the birds coming your way glide past your decoy, then you should set up your duck upwind from your location.  If you do not try this, then the geese and ducks will more than likely rest on the outer edges and this will limit your opportunities for shooting.  To ensure that the ducks you are hunting will not catch on to your trick, try to group your decoys according to their species.  This is due to the fact that birds typically tend to stay within their own groups when they are resting.  

As you have read, duck decoys are essential for geese or duck hunters, and are well sought after by collectors.  Whether you are collecting them or simply using them for hunting purposes, try to buy a wide variety of styles and colors.  As they say, you do not want to have all of your ducks in one row.

Recommended Reading

• ducks