Small Spreads For Late Season Duck Hunting

Heavy rains sent creeks and irrigation ditches over their banks, spreading out ducks in the valley. With the season coming to a close, it was game time.

The first hunt of the week found two buddies and I tucked behind a Final Approach Panel Blind. Fewer than a dozen decoys sat on what was left of the flooded water. The afternoon prior, scouting showed lots of ducks on plenty of water. By morning the water had dropped more than anticipated in the tiny ditch, leaving room for only handful of decoys. That was all it took. At first light ducks were back pedaling into the tiny spread and soon we left with full straps.

We scouted the rest of the day and decided to hunt a skinny creek the following morning. The creek was high, but cellular trail cameras showed mallards were hitting it at first light, spending the day resting on the edges of the high water that spread into the trees. The creek was too high to toss decoys into the middle, so we placed a half-dozen wood duck decoys close to the edge and put four mallards on a jerk cord in front of the brush where we stood. The shooting was close, so we used sub-gauges—we were done in 20 minutes.

While small spreads are often a big part of early-season duck hunting, there’s also a time and place for them in the late season. The key is recognizing where small decoy spreads will work and having the confidence to use them.

Late last season, a big storm knocked down a giant cottonwood tree. We hunted a slough a few hundred yards away from the fallen tree and saw ducks flying into the water where the tree fell. On the way out, I set a Moultrie Mobile trail camera on the tree. Not only did it show mallards, wigeon and wood ducks landing in the water, but also roosting on the tree and limbs all day and night. Two days later, my hunting partner, Austin Crowson, and I were in our InvisiMan blinds with six floating decoys in the shallow water. We also pounded a dozen Big Al’s mallard decoys onto the tree's limbs using 12” circle top galvanized landscape pins I’d painted black on top. The decoys in the tree not only looked natural, but they also greatly increased the visibility of our spread, and ducks poured into it. We shot quick limits and have used those silhouettes hammered into downed trees on many successful hunts since.

One of the most consistent scenarios where small decoy spreads have resulted in not only shooting a lot of ducks, but also increased the number of late season hunts I’ve enjoyed, is on daytime roosting ponds. These hunts are about timing and speed. Six floating decoys are often all I use, maybe a dozen. If the banks of the roosting pond are gradual and ducks are standing on dry land to preen and roost, I might only run four to six floaters, then put one to three dozen silhouettes packed tight on the shoreline. Silhouettes are a great way to increase the size of your spread, and they’re fast to set out and pick up.

The purpose of these small spreads is to emulate the first ducks that have arrived at the pond after having spent the night feeding. Sub-gauges also come in handy, helping to reduce noise and spooking ducks that may be landing near the decoys. Fast shooting is also crucial. Often, I go on these hunts alone. If there are enough ducks, a buddy or two might join me. I prefer hunting with folks who are good shots on these hunts; the fewer shots, the better. Once a limit is secured, grab the decoys and get out of there. The quicker you can leave without educating newly arriving ducks, the better chance you have of hunting it again, sooner rather than later. Last season, a buddy and I did this on a small creek. We hunted it three days in one week, pulling limits each time within the first 20 minutes. A small spread and accurate shooting were the reason for our success.

Over the years, some of my best late-season hunts have come with six to 12 floaters, a couple dozen silhouettes, and a homemade one-man panel blind. Rather than be stuck in a big A-frame blind with multiple hunters overlooking 100 decoys and blowing calls as loud and frequent as possible, I downsize the presentation and fly solo. Late in the season, ducks have seen it all, and big spreads with wing decoys dominate the sets of many hunters in my area. Rather than try to compete by setting more decoys, I go with a natural look. The objective is to look like ducks that have just arrived—the floating decoys—and quickly swam ashore to preen, rest, and feed. Ducks on shore represent a relaxed situation, and I firmly believe this message brings in leery, late-season ducks.

By carrying a limited number of decoys and a small blind I can toss on my back, I’m able to be mobile. A number of times every season I relocate this small spread based on where ducks are working. I might move three times a morning, sometimes more. Wind speed and direction, water levels and the location of food sources are constantly changing in the late seasons, and birds move to find the most appealing place. If I miss the X, it’s easy to gather the little spread and relocate to where the birds are.

Don’t underestimate the power of a small decoy spread with the seasons winding down. Study bird movement, hypothesize why ducks are where they are, and go in with a little spread replicating what's happening in nature. You might just discover that bigger isn’t always better.
 
Note: Scott Haugen is a full-time freelance writer and photographer. Follow his adventures on Instagram and Facebook.

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