When it comes to decoy spreads for waterfowl hunting, many hunters wonder if they can mix duck and goose decoys together. The short answer is yes, you can mix duck and goose decoys, but there are some important factors to consider when doing so.
Why Would You Mix Duck and Goose Decoys?
There are a few reasons why a hunter may want to use a mixed spread of duck and goose decoys:
- To attract both ducks and geese – If hunting an area where both ducks and geese are present, a mixed spread can help draw in both types of birds.
- Limited decoy options – If a hunter doesn’t have enough of just duck or goose decoys, mixing can help fill out the spread.
- Add confidence and realism – Having a variety of decoys on the water can look more natural and add confidence to incoming birds.
In some situations, using a mixed spread of duck and goose decoys can be an effective strategy. However, there are also some potential downsides to be aware of.
Potential Downsides of Mixing Duck and Goose Decoys
Here are some of the potential cons of using a mixed duck and goose decoy spread:
- Can look unnatural – Ducks and geese often raft up separately, so a mixed group can look out of place.
- Decoy size differences – Full-body goose decoys are much larger than duck decoys, which can make a mixed spread look odd.
- May deter some birds – Groups of ducks or geese are wary of mixing with other species, so it may put off some incoming birds.
- Takes more planning – Getting the right mix and setup requires more thought than setting out just one type of decoy.
These issues don’t mean you should never mix duck and goose decoys, but they are factors to keep in mind. Careful setup and decoy choices can help minimize any problems.
Tips for Mixing Duck and Goose Decoys
If you do want to set up a mixed duck and goose decoy spread, here are some tips to follow:
- Use similar sized decoys – Choose goose decoys and duck decoys of comparable size, like floaters.
- Separate into groups – Have distinct duck and goose groups rather than scattering decoys together.
- Pay attention to proportions – The number of duck and goose decoys should reflect the actual bird numbers you expect to attract.
- Place geese on the edges – Position the goose decoys on the periphery of the spread to appear more natural.
- Face different directions – Vary the way duck and goose decoys are facing to look less uniform.
Proper placement and setup really help sell the mixed spread. Having a strategy goes a long way towards overcoming any potential downsides.
Best Practices for Mixed Decoy Spreads
To maximize success when mixing duck and goose decoys, keep these best practices in mind:
- Scout the area – Gauge the actual duck and goose numbers in your hunting spot before setting up.
- Get the ratios right – Let the real duck to goose numbers guide how many of each decoy type to use.
- Arrange ducks in small groups – Duck decoy groups should be small, like 5-10 decoys together.
- Put geese in larger groups – Goose decoys can be arranged in larger groups of 10-20.
- Make it look natural – Imagine how real birds would raft up and do your best to recreate that.
- Consider clustering – Having a duck and goose cluster on opposite sides of the spread can work well.
When mixing decoys, the most important thing is making the spread look as natural as possible. Following these best practices will go a long way towards creating convincing mixed duck and goose decoy spreads.
Example Mixed Decoy Spreads
To further illustrate effective mixed duck and goose decoy spreads, here are a couple example setups:
Balanced Duck and Goose Mix
- 12 goose floaters
- 12 duck floaters
- Geese clustered on left side of spread
- Ducks clustered on right side of spread
- All decoys facing various directions
This evenly balanced setup works well on water where both duck and goose numbers are fairly equal. Separate clustering visually divides the species while still allowing them to mix naturally.
Duck-Dominant Pond Spread
- 6 goose floaters
- 24 duck floaters
- Geese clustered together on edge
- Ducks grouped into 2-3 clusters scattered around
- Ducks concentrated most near landing zone
For ponds holding mostly ducks, this spread uses fewer geese decoys kept to the side. More duck decoys are concentrated where birds are likely to land.
Adjusting the mix and setup based on the expected duck-to-goose ratio is key for decoy spreads in any particular hunting spot.
Should You Mix Duck and Goose Decoys? – The Bottom Line
Mixing duck and goose decoys can be effective when done properly, but does require more planning and consideration than setting out a single decoy type.
Here are some final tips on deciding whether and how to mix duck and goose decoys:
- Only mix if both species are expected – Don’t mix just for the sake of it.
- Scout to get the right decoy ratios – The mix should reflect the actual bird numbers.
- Keep species grouped separately – Clustered groups look more natural.
- Pay attention to decoy sizes – Similar sized decoys mix the best.
- Consider a dual cluster setup – One duck and one goose cluster can work well.
Many seasoned waterfowl hunters use mixed duck and goose decoy spreads with great success. The key is picking the right decoys for your hunting spot, scouting the bird activity, and setting up the mix in a natural-looking way. With smart planning and placement, a mixed spread can be a deadly combination!
Decoy Type | Avg. Size | Recommended Decoy Grouping |
---|---|---|
Duck Floater | 15-25 inches long | 5-10 decoys |
Goose Floater | 20-30 inches long | 10-20 decoys |
Canada Goose Full Body | 30-36 inches long | 10-20 decoys |
Snow Goose Full Body | 30-35 inches long | 10-20 decoys |
This table provides a quick reference for recommended decoy groupings when setting up a mixed duck and goose spread.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it okay to mix duck and goose decoys?
It is generally okay to mix duck and goose decoys, as long as you follow some best practices. Scout to determine the ratio of ducks to geese, use similarly sized decoys, separate into species groups, and pay attention to their placement in the spread. With some planning, a mixed spread can work very well.
Do geese scare away ducks when mixed together?
Geese and ducks do tend to raft up separately in the wild, but that doesn’t necessarily mean geese will scare away ducks when mixing decoys. As social birds, ducks and geese are accustomed to being around other species. Using proper decoy groupings and placement can make a mixed spread look natural to both types of waterfowl.
Should you put goose or duck decoys out first?
There is no set rule for which species of decoy to put out first when mixing ducks and geese. It’s most important to scout the area, determine the appropriate decoy ratio, and then focus on setting up distinct duck and goose groupings in a natural way. The order of putting decoys out matters less than getting the mix and placement right.
How do you setup a mixed decoy spread?
For mixed duck and goose decoy spreads, setup typically includes separating into species groups, keeping geese on the edges, facing different directions, getting the ratio of ducks to geese right based on scouting, and using similarly sized decoys. Take time to arrange the decoys as naturally as possible while accounting for differences between duck and goose behavior.
Should you set geese or duck decoys closer to the blind?
With a mixed spread, most experts recommend placing the duck decoys closer to the landing zone near the blind. Ducks are more social and comfortable landing among groups of their own species. Keeping the geese decoys clustered further out adds confidence but leaves prime landing areas open for ducks.
Conclusion
Mixing duck and goose decoys is a common practice among waterfowl hunters when both species are around. While not inherently problematic, it does require more planning and consideration than setting out a single decoy type. By scouting bird numbers, choosing similar sized decoys, separating into groups, and mimicking natural bird behavior, a mixed spread can attract both geese and ducks. When set up correctly using best practices, combining duck and goose decoys can result in a deadly effective spread.