Using decoys.... (1 Viewer)

[Chalky W]

I don't know if this has been raised before or even if it's a tad controversial but I've been wondering if anyone has (or heard of someone who has) used duck decoys for photography, the sort of thing that wildfowlers (sorry) use to lure ducks in.

I've noticed that when I'm 'hidden' on a lakeside most ducks seem to know that something is amiss and it almost always takes an induvidual bird who seems to have a bit more confidence than the rest to start to come close, once this has happened then a few more start to follow. I'm not adocating their use during the breeding season but purely as an out of season means to bring ducks/wildfowl closer to a waiting camera.

Before I start considering it seriously i'd be interested to know if anyone has any thoughts on, or experiences with this?

 

[Adam W]

Dont really know what the general opinion will be but it would certainly work well and would do no harm at all to the birds, its something i would certainly consider doing.
If you were to attempt it duck calls might help it work better.

 

[Chalky W]

Thanks for your opinion Adam, I'm guessing duck calls would be no worse than pishing or using recordings or even feeders. I would again like to stress that I'm not advocating this during the breeding season but during winter.

Anymore for any more?

 

[DaveJones]

Thanks for your opinion Adam, I'm guessing duck calls would be no worse than pishing or using recordings or even feeders. I would again like to stress that I'm not advocating this during the breeding season but during winter.

Anymore for any more?

I dont see anything wrong in it if (like you say) your only doing it during the winter monthes. I guess some will have some ethical points about it, but if you are doing no harm to the birds, why not?

I find that with wildfowl, once they get used to you, they do slowly get closer if you can wait, anyways.

I guess you may have problems with other species even during the winter. Some owls for instance are setting up territories, so it would proberly prove harmfull placing a decoy Tawny Owl in the hope of a photo.

So i guess its down to common sense:t:

 

[Birder Ozzie]

Do you usre a hide? If so, the should be ok with your presence anyway. Even if you use duck calls, I still think that if you are stnading there on a bank they would see you and prefer not to come closer

 

[dantheman]

Sounds like cheating to me ....

One issue would of course be the practicalities of it - you obviously wouldn't be able to carry it out on nature reserves without some kind of permission (and would you get it?). Where would you be planning on using them? - you could possibly get into awkward situations on public land too.

You'd probably want to know the best way of getting the decoys out and retrieving them. I may be wrong, but I'd have thought decoys are used further out rather than close in to where you would be. Would you wade out for them, use a boat, or have them on a string?

You'd want to be choosing your species, and paying a bit out on the decoys - not sure if you would see the returns on your investment or not ...

Interesting ...

 

[njlarsen]

The only ethical question, to which I do not know the answer; if the ducks see your decoys and find them harmless, will they be more likely to approach a shooter's decoys afterwards?

Niels

 

[Adam W]

Sounds like cheating to me ....

One issue would of course be the practicalities of it - you obviously wouldn't be able to carry it out on nature reserves without some kind of permission (and would you get it?). Where would you be planning on using them? - you could possibly get into awkward situations on public land too.

You'd probably want to know the best way of getting the decoys out and retrieving them. I may be wrong, but I'd have thought decoys are used further out rather than close in to where you would be. Would you wade out for them, use a boat, or have them on a string?

You'd want to be choosing your species, and paying a bit out on the decoys - not sure if you would see the returns on your investment or not ...

Interesting ...

Decoys are normally used at quite close range 20-30 yards so that could be quite good for photography. How to use them would depend on where you use them, if its on coastal waters then they would be set out ready for the tide coming up.
As you say i cant see it being very practiacal or looked upon to kindly on inland reserves.

 

[Adam W]

The only ethical question, to which I do not know the answer; if the ducks see your decoys and find them harmless, will they be more likely to approach a shooter's decoys afterwards?

Niels

Its very unlikely to make a difference as the birds only come to decoys if they believe they are real birds so think its safe to do so not because they trust decoys.

 

[robert382]

Black Grouse decoys in UK

Looing at some posts last year concerning decoy ducks for photography, I have in my garden a set of Black Grouse decoys on the lawn (see photo attached). However I should add that I am not a shooting person, and have never hunted any living thing. These decoys are purely for ornamental enjoyment, and I have some excellent videos fro TV programmesaboutBlack Grouse and other birds.
I am also trying to locate some decoys of Capercaillie (Cock&hen) , again for ornamental purpose, but so far have been unable to find any which are lifesize and portable/lightweight, but not wooden carvings of these birds, which I have seen at the Bird Fair on display. probably very expensive, while the grouse decoys only cost me £30 perset of 6 (m &f).
If anyone knows of such decoys at a fair price, please let me know.

 

[Apodemus]

Looing at some posts last year concerning decoy ducks for photography, I have in my garden a set of Black Grouse decoys on the lawn (see photo attached). However I should add that I am not a shooting person, and have never hunted any living thing. These decoys are purely for ornamental enjoyment, and I have some excellent videos fro TV programmesaboutBlack Grouse and other birds.
I am also trying to locate some decoys of Capercaillie (Cock&hen) , again for ornamental purpose, but so far have been unable to find any which are lifesize and portable/lightweight, but not wooden carvings of these birds, which I have seen at the Bird Fair on display. probably very expensive, while the grouse decoys only cost me £30 perset of 6 (m &f).
If anyone knows of such decoys at a fair price, please let me know.

Is your garden full of inquisitive Black grouse now??