12 excellent ways to totally botch your duck hunt

#4 SET OUT UNREALISTIC DECOYS

Ducks are survivors. They have keen eyes and can pick apart a spread while approaching from a distance. So, if your decoys don’t look realistic because they’re dirty or damaged, or they shine in the sun, the birds will definitely flare. Only use your best decoys when hunting; if you have blocks that are broken or need paint, pull them from the spread or leave them at home until you’ve taken the time to refurbish them. It’s better to have a smaller spread of high-quality decoys than a larger spread with inferior imposters that will scare away the ducks.

Also take care when setting up and putting away your decoys to ensure they don’t get muddy or dirty. It’s also best to store them in slotted decoy bags to prevent them from grinding against each other and rubbing off paint, leaving behind shiny patches.