Stuffed ducks, self-production, material, pattern and template, manufacturing procedure.

1. Homemade stuffed decoy ducks: manufacturing secrets
2. How many and what kind
3. What can you make stuffed animals from?
4. Stuffed animals made of polystyrene foam boards
5. Penoplex stuffed animals
6. Plywood scarecrow
7. Stuffed animals made of wood
8. Foam stuffed animals
9. Materials and tools
10. The process of making a stuffed animal
11. A few words about the sustainability of homemade stuffed animals
12. Stuffed drake with wings flapping in the wind
13. What does an impromptu flock on the water look like?

Homemade stuffed decoy ducks: manufacturing secrets

Waterfowl hunting is perhaps the most popular and widespread. It is more accessible than others, since bodies of water - lakes, rivers, swamps - are available everywhere. And in terms of the number of trophies, hunting waterfowl will give odds to any other species. This is especially true for wild ducks. Not only an experienced hunter, but also a novice can shoot a hefty mallard, nimble teal, slender pintail or swift goldeneye. But attracting such birds and making them land on the water is not so easy, and shooting at them in flight is not always effective.

That is why most hunters use a stuffed decoy duck in this matter. They install it on the water, and they themselves hide nearby. Ducks flying over a pond notice their “relatives” and often sit down next to them. This is where the real hunt begins. And in order to feel all its excitement and add another trophy to your collection, it is not necessary to buy a bird figurine; you can make a stuffed duck yourself.

What are the best stuffed animals to use?

Depending on the season, you should use different stuffed ducks, since ducks behave differently in autumn and spring.

Spring is the mating season, so ducks join mainly individuals of their own species. The exception is lonely drakes, which can court other females, but cautious birds quickly detect the deception and immediately fly away.

The best option would be to have three decoys of the main species of ducks typical for a given area - two females and one drake. It would also be a good idea to purchase several stuffed mallards.

Autumn is the time of preparation for departure, so ducks willingly join not only their fellow birds, but also groups of other birds. At this time, you can use stuffed animals of different birds, but, nevertheless, it is worth remembering that when approaching the stuffed ducks, they will choose the group where there are individuals similar to them.

Of course, they will form a group with other birds, but they will keep some distance from them. Advice: it is best to choose stuffed birds whose species predominate in the area.

In autumn, as in spring, it is worth having three stuffed animals of the main species of ducks living in the hunting area. However, if the number of stuffed animals is limited, it is worth choosing stuffed mallards and red-headed pochards or goldeneyes, since diving ducks are the most distrustful and need to be lured more actively. In addition, the stuffed birds of such birds are fluffy, and therefore extremely noticeable, so they attract other not particularly picky ducks - teal, lout, etc.

In order for the bird-attracting stuffed animals to cope with their purpose most productively, when planting them you should adhere to the basic rules:

• choose places free from vegetation so that the stuffed animals do not get tangled and lost in the river thickets;
• Depending on what stuffed animals you use - diving or dabbling ducks - you should choose the correct seating pattern. Dabbling ducks are best planted in shallow water, while diving ducks prefer deeper areas;
• try to create a flock of stuffed ducks so that the ducks swim close to each other (tip: the optimal distance between individuals is 2-4 meters) this increases the likelihood of large groups of birds joining them;
• when seating stuffed animals, take into account the subsequent firing zone of the perched birds, try to leave free places that are most convenient for sighting;
• Most often, ducks land against the wind, so in windy weather you should take into account the fact that the bird will be carried several meters from the intended landing point.

Of course, it will not be possible to fulfill all these requirements exactly, but compliance with such conditions increases the likelihood of a successful hunt, so it is still worth listening to the recommendations.

How many and what kind

It is not difficult. The main thing is that the dummy looks natural, is made in the pose of a resting or feeding duck and has a color close to natural. A stuffed animal with an unnaturally set head, tensely frozen on the water, or very vaguely reminiscent of the bird it is supposed to represent, is unsuitable. It will only scare away “relatives” flying past.

As for the size of the stuffed duck, many hunters have different opinions. Some believe that it is preferable if the dummy is 1.5–2 times larger than the original.

Interesting. Due to the peculiarities of their vision, these birds cannot assess the correspondence of the size of the stuffed animal to true living ducks. But such dummies will be more noticeable to a flying flock. As practice shows, ducks approach them more often and more willingly.

On the other hand, carrying a huge bag full of stuffed animals with you on a hunt is not entirely convenient. However, there should be a lot of them, because the number of decoy ducks is even more important than their size. Experienced waterfowl hunters claim that the more “individuals” are planted, the higher the likelihood of a successful hunt, because numerous flocks very rarely join 2-3 birds swimming alone in a pond. But you shouldn’t take too many stuffed animals with you. Otherwise, you will have to spend more time landing and collecting them than on the hunt itself. A “flock” of 10–15 ducks will be quite enough.

Important! They need to be planted at a distance of at least half a meter from each other, since birds sitting closely are evidence that they are alarmed and are about to take off.

If there are a large number of dummies, the following sizes will be optimal in all respects:

• length – 27 cm;
• width – 14 cm;
• back height – 7 cm;
• tail length – 4.5 cm;
• head height – 6.5 cm;
• neck width – 4 cm;
• head thickness - about 3 cm;
• beak length – 3.5 cm.

The stuffed female will be slightly smaller. Its length is 24 cm, width - 12–13 cm, all other sizes decrease in the same proportion.

What breeds of ducks should you have stuffed? If you go hunting in the fall, then all those that nest and stop at this reservoir. In spring, there is no need for a large number of ducks. A variety of “gentlemen” are well attached to the decoy mallard, so for “society” a couple of stuffed teals will be enough for it. For more information about where and how you can hunt in our region, see here.

Hunting

Everything is ready for hunting with stuffed animals. But here are a few more tips to make your hunt more productive. Hunting is carried out during the day, for a long time. Make sure you have appropriate clothing and a thermos of hot tea. Shooting will be carried out both at the splashed flock and at the flying one. If you understand. If the ducks have approached the stuffed animals, but are not going to sit down or are scared off by something, do not miss the opportunity to make an aimed shot. Did you get another duck? Place them next to stuffed animals, which is quite easy to do. Stick a branch with a small spear into the bottom and secure the duck's head in it. Its natural color will better attract flying game. Well, the principle will work - the more stuffed animals, the better.

It’s good if you know how to imitate the voices of ducks using a wind decoy. Its correct use will increase the chances of getting trophies.

In windy, cloudy or foggy weather, waterfowl move more, looking for a quiet place. When there is no wind, a flock of ducks can sit hundreds of meters away from your stuffed animals and not feel any desire to approach them. In this case, it is better to scare away the flock, otherwise other ducks will sit next to them, and not to the stuffed animals. This has been verified empirically. Lastly, be careful when shooting at a sitting duck, especially at dusk. It's easy to get confused and shoot at a scarecrow. The author of these lines has a pair of plastic stuffed animals, which I call “rattles”. If the holes were easily sealed, then the shot remaining inside is difficult to remove.

What can you make stuffed animals from?

You can make a stuffed duck for hunting from many different materials, including:

• polystyrene foam boards;
• penoplex;
• plywood;
• wood;
• polyurethane foam.

Each of these dummies will have its own manufacturing features, advantages and disadvantages.

How to make a stuffed duck yourself?

Our ancestors used homemade stuffed birds to hunt ducks. They were most often made from linden, but some wove a duck frame from thin traveling rods. Nowadays, in a hunting store you can purchase ready-made stuffed animals of various types of ducks made from wood, rubber or other materials.

However, if you have the desire, you can make a stuffed duck with your own hands. For this you will need:

• linden wood;
• an ax and a sharp knife;
• chisel;
• paints.

We begin work by creating a shape for the body of the duck, for which we trim the block using an ax. The easiest way is to cut out the head separately, after which you can attach it with a wooden pin. When designing a head, it is important to be guided by realistic pictures or a base in the form of a ready-made stuffed animal. An incorrectly designed head will outweigh the entire stuffed animal, which will compromise its stability on the water.

It is most convenient to bring the workpieces to the optimal shape with a sharp knife. Since a completely solid warp will have considerable weight, it is best to empty the inside of the duck a little. Advice: it is best to cut out the inside from the top, as this will protect the stuffed animal from getting wet and damaging the insides. Use a sharp knife to cut off the top, and then use a chisel to hollow out some part from the middle; the sides should remain 10-12 cm wide. The resulting void can be filled with polystyrene foam, and the previously cut top can simply be nailed with small nails.

All that remains is to paint the finished duck using paints. Some hobbyists create the most realistic stuffed animals, decorating the blanks with the skins of real birds, but this approach is irrational, since after each hunt the skin will need to be put in order.

Despite the fact that today you can easily purchase any hunting goods in specialized stores, many craftsmen prefer to make stuffed animals for hunting with their own hands. This allows you not only to save money, but also to create exactly the kind of accessories that fully meet the requirements of an experienced hunter.

First, let's figure out why they are needed at all. It's actually quite simple. When a hunter sits in ambush, waiting for a duck or goose, he is usually tied to one place - for example, a small lake, where the bird flies to spend the night after feeding during the day. However, what if there are many such reservoirs in the area? After all, a duck can choose any of them to spend the night. It is the scarecrows that help the bird make the “right” choice. Having seen several of their relatives on the water, they understand that this body of water is completely safe and rush towards it.

Stuffed animals are especially useful during spring hunting. At this time, you can only hunt drakes. However, it is simply impossible to determine in flight, and even at dusk, whether a drake or a duck is flying towards the hunter. It’s a completely different matter when they land ten to fifteen meters away and begin to swim slowly. In addition, hitting an almost motionless bird sitting at such a short distance is much easier than hitting one flying in the sky at an altitude of 20-40 meters.

Therefore, any fan of this hobby should learn how to make a stuffed duck for hunting with their own hands - it will allow you to return home with rich trophies every time.

Stuffed animals made of polystyrene foam boards

Making a stuffed decoy duck from a polystyrene foam board is very simple. Sometimes for these purposes they take ordinary polystyrene foam, which is also made on the basis of polystyrene. Both types of material can be easily found in the store. Making such a dummy will only take a few hours.

For this you will need:

• a sheet of foam plastic with a thickness of at least 2 cm;
• Super glue;
• acrylic paints;
• putty.

In addition, for the work you will need paint brushes, a stationery knife, a pencil, and sandpaper.

First you need to find a suitable image of a duck, print it and cut out the template. In the process of working, you should first transfer the entire bird onto the cardboard, then only its wing. Using the resulting patterns, you need to cut out the required parts from polystyrene foam or polystyrene foam, 2 pieces of each. The elements of the body should be glued together to form a three-dimensional bird figurine, and put it under a press.

After the workpiece has dried, it should be given the desired shape, adding some things to make it more similar to the original. You can achieve the desired result using a regular stationery knife.

It is imperative to attach a keel to the bottom of the workpiece, which will allow you to install a small load and give the scarecrow stability in strong currents. A piece of plastic pipe is quite suitable for this.

All irregularities on the stuffed animal can be eliminated using sandpaper. To get an ideal surface, you should putty all the joints and wait until the figure is completely dry, and you can proceed to painting. For this purpose, it is advisable to use colors characteristic of the ducks being hunted.

Penoplex stuffed animals

Penoplex (a type of extruded polystyrene foam with a characteristic brick color) can also be used as a basis for the dummy. It is produced in the form of sheets 3 and 5 cm thick. This material has a higher density and strength, so cutting out blanks from it and giving them the desired shape will require some effort.

The sequence of actions when making a stuffed duck from penoplex will be almost the same. The body and head are drawn on a sheet of material by hand or using a cardboard template and then cut out. Depending on what kind of duck scarecrow you want to get at the end, you can use pieces of different thicknesses. For example, to make the body of a female, one sheet of 5 cm will be enough. The stuffed animal of a male is larger, so it is cut out of two parts. One of them will serve as the base, so it is made thicker and larger in area. The second, thinner one, is glued on top.

Next, using a knife, the body and head are given the desired shape. All roughness and irregularities are removed using sandpaper - first coarse-grained, then fine. You definitely can't do this with a knife.

The head and body are connected using a self-tapping screw. After this, all that remains is to paint the bird figurine and equip it with a weight.

What types of stuffed ducks are there?

Modern hunting equipment stores offer amateur and professional hunters a variety of types of stuffed ducks. Depending on the material from which they are made, stuffed animals are:

• rubber
  - they have the most realistic appearance, are quite durable and easy to use because they are light in weight. An additional advantage of such models is their affordable cost;
• plastic
  – made of a special material, thanks to which they retain their shape and do not deform due to adverse weather conditions. Such stuffed animals float confidently on the water in strong gusts of wind or heavy rain, unlike their rubber counterparts;
• wooden
  - usually store-bought wooden ducks are hollow inside, so they do not hold well on the water in waves or wind. It is best to choose solid wood models; they are more stable and do not deteriorate over time.

In order to diversify your artificial flock and make it more realistic, you can purchase stuffed ducks in a variety of poses: sleeping, resting, swimming, diving or feeding.

Recently, automated, battery-powered scarecrows have become popular. Such models can be radio-controlled, or move along a certain trajectory, which allows you to create the appearance of a real flock. The only disadvantage of radio-controlled stuffed animals is their rather high cost, so not everyone can afford to buy such products.

Plywood scarecrow

The easiest thing to make is a stuffed duck made of plywood. However, it should be remembered that this material is short-lived; under the influence of water it quickly becomes unusable.

The most important point when making stuffed animals from plywood is the realistic profile and natural coloring. This is the only way to attract “relatives” flying past. From one sheet of material you can cut out several bird profiles that will imitate different poses. The edges of the parts should be thoroughly sanded, and then hot drying oil should be applied to the entire surface of the workpiece. This will protect the figure from quickly getting wet and allow the mixture to lie more evenly.

You can paint stuffed animals using regular oil paints. To prevent the surface from becoming shiny after drying, you can apply a little gasoline to it and wipe with a dry cloth.

At the end of the work, the duck profiles are placed on small boards 20–25 cm long and up to 2 cm thick. In this form, they are placed on the water, having previously been equipped with a load.

What materials are used in production

Experienced hunters use a variety of materials to create decoys that exactly match their ideas about the best option. We will list the most popular options, and also tell you about the technology for making duck scarecrows for hunting with your own hands.

From plywood

Perhaps, it is from plywood that making stuffed geese for hunting with your own hands takes the least amount of time. Even a teenager who knows how to work with the simplest tools can cope with this task.

However, they are also the least durable. Plywood, in contact with water, absorbs moisture, which is why after each hunt the stuffed animals must be thoroughly dried. But even then, they usually last only a few seasons. If you forget to dry them, the stuffed animals will quickly begin to rot and become covered with mold - you will have to make new ones.

So, to work you will need:

• plywood;
• a simple pencil or pen;
• sandpaper;
• hacksaw with fine teeth;
• drying oil,
• oil paints,
• tassel,
• several bars with a cross section of about 2 centimeters and a length of 20-25 cm,
• petrol.

When all the materials and tools are at hand, you can start working:

1. To begin, draw several silhouettes of ducks on the plywood with a pencil. It is desirable that they be different - one has an elongated neck, the other, on the contrary, is ruffled, the third swims relaxedly in clear water in complete safety.
2. Using a hacksaw, carefully cut out the finished figures.
3. Sand the edges with sandpaper so that they are smooth and do not hurt your hand when working with them.
4. Cover the plywood with hot drying oil and let it dry.
5. Paint the stuffed animals with oil paints - try to give them the most realistic look.
6. The paint will have a noticeable shine after it dries. To remove shine, wipe the stuffed animals with a rag lightly moistened with gasoline.
7. Attach the prepared pegs to the stuffed animals. You can make them removable so that finished products take up less space during transportation.

OK it's all over Now. Now you know how to make stuffed ducks for hunting with your own hands, using only plywood and some other materials.

Stuffed geese made from plywood

Volumetric stuffed animal made of foam plastic

These products can boast not only of surprisingly low weight (the finished stuffed animal weighs only a few tens of grams), but also of realism - after all, using polystyrene foam, you can make three-dimensional stuffed geese for hunting with your own hands. Therefore, they are often much more efficient than their plywood counterparts.

However, if possible, it is better to use polystyrene foam rather than polystyrene foam. It is a little heavier, but much stronger, and almost as easy to process. Consequently, stuffed animals can last for more than one year.

Volumetric stuffed ducks made of polystyrene foam.

So, before you get started, stock up on the following tools and materials:

• office cutter,
• sandpaper,
• pencil,
• tassels,
• polystyrene foam or polystyrene foam (the main thing is that it is strong enough and at least 2-3 cm thick),
• putty,
• acrylic paints,
• glue.

Do not use nitro glue - if it gets on the foam, it will burn holes in it, ruining the appearance of the stuffed animals, as well as making work difficult.

Most of the list is in any apartment. Well, what is missing can always be purchased at any hardware store. After this, you can safely get to work.

1. Draw the silhouette of a duck onto the foam. It is better to do this first on cardboard, and then transfer it to foam plastic, making two identical blanks. Make sure the size and proportions are as close to the real duck as possible.
2. Draw separately the profiles for the wings - also two pieces.
3. Cut out the foam blanks. It is best to use a hacksaw, but you can also get by with a stationery cutter.
4. Glue all four pieces together.
5. Use fine sandpaper to remove any irregularities and give the stuffed animal more roundness and realism.
6. Putty the joints so that the surface is as smooth as possible, let the putty dry.
7. Using a brush and acrylic paints, paint the scarecrow in the appropriate colors.

OK it's all over Now. The stuffed animal is ready and can go hunting! You can attach some kind of weight to the bottom - for example, a massive bolt, so that the stuffed animal does not accidentally be knocked over by the wind.

Stuffed animals made of wood

It is recommended to make wooden stuffed ducks from linden. It is light, easy to process, and practically does not chip. It is better to prepare the logs for the figurines in advance and let them dry thoroughly. The optimal length of such a blank is 30–35 cm, diameter is 18–20 cm. It should be peeled from the bark and split in half, each part will make one stuffed carcass.

First you need to make templates, transfer the outlines to the workpiece and remove excess wood using a chisel or knife. Then cut out the head of the bird, make a hole at the bottom and insert a small stick into it, pre-lubricated with glue. It should protrude a few centimeters outward. A similar hole should be drilled in the neck on the body, this stick should be inserted there and the two parts should be connected.

Having done this, you can proceed to the final finishing of the stuffed decoy duck. All irregularities should be removed with a rasp and sandpaper, puttied, the surface of the workpiece should be coated with hot drying oil and dried. You need to drive a metal loop into the bottom of the blank, closer to the front edge, in order to be able to anchor the scarecrow anywhere.

After this, all that remains is to paint the bird figurine, choosing the most suitable colors and shades.

Foam stuffed animals

These figures look very realistic. Making a stuffed duck from polyurethane foam is quite simple; you just need to follow certain recommendations, which should be discussed in more detail.

We recommend that you read

• How to arrange stuffed decoy ducks for hunting
• How to effectively hunt ducks - all the secrets and methods

V-shaped effigy installation

This pattern requires more than 20 ducks. The technology has proven itself well under certain weather conditions. Experienced hunters place their loads in a V-shape when the wind is at their back.

All available baits are divided into two equal parts. The first ducks are placed at a distance of 15 meters from the ambush. It is worth noting that the shot does not lose its effectiveness at a distance of 25–30 meters.

For this reason, the distance from the hunter to the last stuffed animal should not exceed 35 meters.

The bait is placed in diverging lines away from the hunter. As for the minimum distance between stuffed animals, it is recommended to maintain a distance of 1 meter. Closer to the ambush, a load with feeding ducks is placed.

Feeding individuals are better than others at attracting the attention of prey flying past. Therefore, it is recommended to place them as close to the boat as possible.

How to arrange stuffed animals

Materials and tools

The work will require very inexpensive materials:

• boards or fiberboard;
• a piece of foam;
• building plaster or alabaster;
• polyurethane foam;
• plastic bag;
• hammer, saw.

Important! On average, one 750 ml can of foam is enough to make five stuffed ducks. It is best, of course, to calculate it in such a way as to use it up to the end. If you're lucky, you can use a cylinder that was left on hand after the repair and construction work carried out the day before. Otherwise, you will have to buy professional foam and a gun for it, since reusing a regular “installation” is impossible. The only thing left to do is throw away the unused cylinder.

The process of making a stuffed animal

You need to start with a casting mold. To do this you will need a box and a duck figurine. If desired, you can do without the first one by adapting any dense box for these purposes.

You can make the box yourself using boards or fiberboard.

A duck figurine can be cut out of foam plastic. A simpler option is to use a ready-made stuffed animal, for example, made of rubber.

The size of the box or drawer should be slightly larger than the bird figurine, otherwise the casting mold will require too much plaster. You shouldn’t take a very tight one either, otherwise the structure will turn out to be fragile and short-lived.

Now you can proceed to making the mold. To do this, you will need to take plaster or alabaster, add water to it and mix well until a homogeneous mass is formed. The duck figurine should be coated with graphite or any other lubricant, rich cream or vegetable oil so that the plaster does not stick to the surface.

The working solution must be poured into a prepared box or box, and to prevent it from leaking out, place a plastic bag on the bottom. The duck should be drowned halfway in plaster, held there a little until the mixture hardens slightly, then removed. After complete hardening, you can take out the plaster with the impression from the box, and make the second half-mold in the same way.

It is imperative to check whether there are any defects on the surface, and if there are any, eliminate them using sandpaper or plasticine.

The mold is ready, you need to lubricate its halves with the same grease so that the mounting foam does not stick, and you can cast the decoy duck figurine. To make it more durable, you need to make an additional wire profile. You can also attach a sinker to it.

Both forms are filled with foam (80–90%), wire is also placed there. Before the mass begins to harden, the two halves need to be connected, a load placed on them and left for a while, for example, overnight.

Then the excess foam is cut off and the workpiece is removed from the mold. Now the stuffed duck should be finalized, giving it smooth lines and a certain smoothness. You may have to use foam again to fill any voids that have formed.

Oil paint should be used for painting as it does not destroy the foam. Its only drawback is the long drying time. You can paint it at your own discretion, but if you approach this work with imagination, you can make an excellent stuffed animal that is almost impossible to distinguish from a living duck.

Manufacturing technology

Profiles are applied to the cardboard in the required quantity and in different shapes. Then you need to cut out blanks that will serve as templates.

1. Templates are laid out on plywood and profiles are cut out with a hacksaw.
2. All edges must be properly processed using sandpaper.
3. The blanks are treated with hot drying oil, after which you need to wait for it to dry.
4. To make the stuffed animal look realistic, oil paints are used. It is recommended to paint all the plywood at the same time to ensure they have the same appearance.
5. You can neutralize the shine from paint using gasoline. It is applied to a dry surface in a small amount.
6. All that remains is to equip the profiles with wooden pegs or short metal tubes. For ease of transportation, these parts are made removable, and so that they do not attract undue attention from the birds, they are painted with the same colors as the stuffed animals.
7. The stability of the workpieces is ensured by a wire connection.

A few words about the sustainability of homemade stuffed animals

The natural appearance of the bird is wonderful. But a decoy duck should resemble a living one in its behavior - this is an indispensable condition for a successful hunt. To do this, it must float correctly on the water, not fall on its side in strong winds or waves, and not bury its beak in the water.

This is not difficult to achieve, you just need to know how. You can, for example, make the scarecrow have a wider underwater part. Its stability with a slight wave will increase significantly, but with a strong wind the bird will fall early.

To solve the problem, you need to make the stuffed animal ballast, which will help it float on the water. It can be permanent or removable, lead or water-based.

Permanent ballast is made from two small pieces of lead weighing 50–100 g and a wire bent at an angle. The design looks very simple. Pieces of lead are attached to the top of the wire, and its ends are attached to the bottom of the scarecrow. The structure will move freely along and thereby prevent the duck from falling to one side. True, pitching cannot be eliminated in this way, and the bird can easily fall forward or fall backward.

Temporary ballast is done a little differently. A plate with a thread is attached to the bottom of the scarecrow, into which a copper wire with two pieces of lead is screwed before landing on the water. This design will not allow the figure to swing in any direction. There is one inconvenience - the ballast will have to be removed and then hung again. Yes, and at shallow depths it will not be possible to use it - the minimum wire length is 15 cm.

For these purposes, a water balance is suitable, which is a small open box that is attached to the bottom of the stuffed animal. The design has several holes through which water flows in and out. This is an almost perfect balance, it 100% solves the problem with pitching, but slightly increases the size of the stuffed animal.

Among the simpler devices that allow you to hold the bird in the desired position, you can use a sinker tied to the bottom, a tightly closed bottle, or a sealed tin can with an attached eyelet.

Hunting with stuffed animals

Selecting a location

Ducks hunt with decoys both from the shore and from a boat. Whichever option is chosen, it is recommended to adhere to the following rules:

1. Ensuring thorough camouflage. The hunter should position himself in cover, such as bushes, tall grass, or behind trees.
2. Proper organization of shelter. The best option is a camouflage net (corresponding to the nature of the terrain and the season). You can use natural camouflage (branches, grass, etc.).
3. Choosing a place with the ability to lie down or sit down. The wait may be lengthy, so you need to choose a dry area. If the place is still wet, experienced hunters arrange a flooring of poles and a hut. There are folding waterproof shelters on sale, from which shooting is carried out in a prone position.
4. Scarecrows must be placed at a sure-hit distance (20–40 m from the ambush).
5. A dead duck needs to be removed from the water, so you should choose a place with convenient access to a body of water. The presence of a large amount of algae will create difficulties for both the person and the dog when they go to retrieve the duck.

1. 1-2 days before the start of the hunt, it is advisable to inspect the place, trace the migration and resting routes of wild ducks. The direction of the wind matters, as birds take off and splash down with the wind. The ambush site should be chosen based on the information thus obtained.
2. A common mistake made by hunters is to camouflage only from the side of the pond. However, ducks can come from any direction. In addition, birds usually make several circles, inspecting the area, before landing on the water.

Ways to arrange stuffed animals

There are several options for placing dummies on the water:

1. Horseshoe or V. This pattern is effective when hunting in bad weather, when there is strong wind and waves. The arrangement involves 20–40 dummies. Decoy ducks are divided into approximately two parts and placed in two diverging lines, reminiscent of the letter V or a horseshoe. The recommended distance between dummies is 1 m. You should not adhere to strict geometry; the arrangement should look as natural as possible. The ambush is set up at the base of the horseshoe, located 15–40 m from the place where the wild duck is supposed to land.

A - in the form of a “fish hook”, B - “deltoid”, C - in the form of a horseshoe, D - linear, on small bodies of water.

1. In the form of a fishing hook. The method is popular when the wind blows along the coast. It allows you to create an effectively covered area near the hunter. The bait scheme involves at least 25 dummies. The main group is located on the eye and sting of the hook. Other layouts are planted randomly at a distance of 2–3 m from each other. Ducks splash down exclusively against the wind. It is advisable that the bulk of the decoys should be mallards, and the smaller part should be teals or pochards.
2. Latin letter I. The scheme uses from 20 to 40 duck layouts. A few decoys are placed downwind - away from the hunter. Most of them are left closer to the hiding place. Wild ducks will try to join a larger flock, which is what the hunter needs, since he is located nearby.
3. Deltoid. This option is effective in clear weather. The arrangement of the stuffed animals resembles the wings of an airplane. There should be a lot of dummies - from 50 to 60. The main group of dummies of ducks is located closer to the hunter, at a distance of no more than 35 m. Birds prefer the area between the “wings”. The hunter is located close to this place.
4. Linear. The scheme is used in good weather and completely calm. Experienced hunters recommend this option in early spring, since ducks are not too careful at this time. The scheme involves a small number of stuffed animals - up to 10. They are located at a distance of 2-3 m from each other and are interconnected. The hunter controls the rope by tightening or loosening the rope. This creates the appearance of activity of decoy ducks even in complete calm.

A few more popular placement schemes are given below.

Stability of the stuffed animal on the water

Properly selected homemade ducks need to be made so that they look like real wild birds not only in appearance, but also in behavior. To do this, the stuffed animal must naturally float on the water, without falling to the side in windy weather. The stability of the dummy will be given by ballast, which can be permanent, temporary or water.

The permanent one is made from a pair of lead pieces, each weighing 50–100 g, as well as wire. One end is attached to the bottom of the dummy, and the other to the weights. The length of the leash with the load should be such that the latter is located at the bottom. The structure will move freely along, and the ballast will prevent the scarecrow from tilting. However, this method does not eliminate pitch rocking. As a result, the dummy nods or falls backwards.

Temporary ballast is designed differently. At the bottom of the duck layout, a plate is installed on the thread. Before landing the scarecrow on the water, copper wire with lead weights is screwed into the thread. The design ensures the stability of the dummy in all directions. The disadvantage of temporary ballast is the impossibility of using a scarecrow at shallow depths, since the shortest wire length is 15–20 cm.

Water ballast is an open box with holes to allow water to pass through. The container is fixed to the bottom of the dummy. Such ballast solves all problems with the structure swaying, but increases the dimensions of the model.

Other types of ballast are also permitted. For example, tightly sealed bottles or cans are used for this purpose.

Advice! If the depth of the reservoir is more than 1 m, there is no point in attaching a rope to each dummy. It is more correct to use one and tie a weight to each end. Dummy ducks are tied to a rope using small pieces of rope and carabiners.

If there is no boat, there is a problem with transporting the bait further from the shore. In such a situation, it is recommended to use a spinning rod, weights and carabiners. The spinning rod is thrown 25–30 m, and then the required number of stuffed animals is added using carabiners and ropes, planting them in the reservoir. The method is convenient due to the absence of the need for special equipment and the speed of collapsing the system after the end of the hunt.

Stuffed drake with wings flapping in the wind

The stuffed ducks discussed above are one of the simplest designs. At the same time, in stores you can find more complex and interesting models, including mechanical ones, capable of moving and creating the illusion of the presence of a real bird. They sometimes cost quite a lot, so not everyone agrees to buy them. In fact, there is nothing complicated about them. It is enough to show a little imagination, and everyone can make something similar, for example, a stuffed duck with wings flapping in the wind.

You can use the same penoplex as a manufacturing material. The body, head, legs and tail of the duck must first be drawn on paper. Those who want to make their task easier can take measurements from decoys available from fellow hunters or in the catalog of an online store. The design is transferred to penoplex, individual elements are cut out using a jigsaw.

Parts consisting of two parts (for example, the body) are glued together, as in the case of making a simpler model, protected with a stationery knife, and then with sandpaper for painting.

Then the fun part begins - assembly. There are a lot of secret “chips” here. For example, to attach the head to the body, you can use a regular handle with a cap. A hole is drilled in the duck's body and a cap is glued in there. Part of the sawn-off handle is attached to the head in the same way. Only the area that will be covered by the caps should remain outside. Holds perfectly!

The paws can be secured with toothpicks, the tail can be inserted into a specially made cut. To install the wings across the body, you will need to drill a hole and insert an aluminum tube into it. It will protect the penoplex from rapid wear. The wings themselves are cut out of ordinary cardboard. Then “cocktail tubes” are sewn onto them, and the threads are glued with superglue. To give the wings a smooth bend, cardboard blanks are screwed onto a pipe. You can put them on a regular steel rod by installing small furniture plugs along the edges.

All that remains is to paint, and the homemade stuffed duck with flapping wings is ready.

Another “secret”: when making a scarecrow, you need to drill a hole in the lower part of the bird’s body and insert a small piece of plastic pipe. This is where the pole will be attached, on which the duck will “sit”.

Tested in practice! Such a miracle bird is accepted as one of its own not only by its “relatives”. Even hunters, emerging from the reeds, raise their guns, thinking that they have scared away a live duck!

In a word, making a stuffed animal with your own hands is not as difficult as it seems at first glance. This exciting activity is worth devoting several hours to. If you follow all the recommendations, any of the options proposed above will be successful and effective.

Scarecrow with moving wings

Above are examples of easy-to-make dummies. Hunting stores also offer more complex models, for example, with mechanical wings. The prices for such stuffed animals are high. However, making a duck that flaps its wings is a solvable task even at home.

Model with battery

To make a stuffed animal with movable wings, create a hollow frame with a battery placed in it. An axis is laid through the dummy, on which the wings are attached.

To assemble a flywing with your own hands, you will need:

• blanks of paws and wings for a stuffed animal;
• 120 cm stand (folding);
• 6-volt 1.3 amp battery;
• 110 volt charging;
• transition device for recharging the battery;
• key for fixing the wings.

The work of assembling the dummy is carried out in the following sequence:

1. A charged battery is installed in the inside of the dummy. Terminals connect the device to the wing axis. To keep the battery securely, use Velcro.
2. Connect the paws to the stuffed body.
3. Install the wings on the axle and secure with a screw (using a wrench).
4. Assembling the stand. In stores they are offered in three-component form with clamps.
5. Place the assembled model on the stand.
6. Connect the dummy to the power source. The purchased kit contains a key to turn the power on and off. The button is usually located in the rear part of the layout - not far from the charging socket. Also, factory-made models are often equipped with a remote control, which greatly facilitates the process of controlling the stuffed animal.

Note! Collapsible decoys made of flexible materials take up much less space in the trunk compared to rigid structures.

Dummy without battery

A mechanical scarecrow can operate not only from a battery, but also under the influence of wind. Such a dummy will cost significantly less. For manufacturing, you will need blanks for parts of the future model: torso, head, paws.

As an example, consider a stuffed animal made of insulation (5 cm thick). The body is created from two halves glued together (for example, with liquid nails). When the glue sets, the workpiece is given a natural look, eliminating minor defects. The dummy is then painted.

After the paint has dried, a through hole is drilled in the body to install the axle. The wings are strengthened on it. It is also necessary to provide for the possibility of hanging the scarecrow on a pole. To do this, a hole is made in the bottom for a plastic pipe, which will act as a pole.

Wings are made from any material suitable in weight. For example, cardboard impregnated with a waterproof paint and varnish composition is suitable. Blanks are cut out of cardboard according to dimensions taken from the finished stuffed animal or selected experimentally. Next, the structure is assembled into a single whole and painted. The best paint option is acrylic.