I’m a relative novice to the sport. However, I have to wonder sometimes if putting the greenhead dekes out in a early season spread has an adverse affect- given plummage at this time of year?
And oh yeah, if you need a hunting partner this fall that asks these type of inane questions, PM me. My opps are rapidly declining for the fall. 
ALL I USE ARE GREENHEADS AND BELIEVE IT OR NOT I USE BLUEBILLS AND CANVASBACKS IN THE SPREAD ALSO.. I LIKE TO HAVE A LOT OF COLOR ON THE WATER. I FEEL THAT THE DUCKS SEE THE DEKS BETTER IF THERE IS A LOT OF COLOR. NOW THROW A ROBO OR 2 IN THERE AND LOOK OUT…THIS HAS BEEN MY MAINSTAY FOR WATERFOWL FOR THE PAST 4-5 YEARS AND IT HAS WORKED GREAT…I AM TALKING ABOUT EARLY SEASON, I ONLY USE 12-15 DEKS BUT EVERYONE OF THEM HAVE COLOR. I DON’T WASTE MT TIME WITH HENS…
ALL I USE ARE GREENHEADS AND BELIEVE IT OR NOT I USE BLUEBILLS AND CANVASBACKS IN THE SPREAD ALSO.. I LIKE TO HAVE A LOT OF COLOR ON THE WATER. I FEEL THAT THE DUCKS SEE THE DEKS BETTER IF THERE IS A LOT OF COLOR. NOW THROW A ROBO OR 2 IN THERE AND LOOK OUT…THIS HAS BEEN MY MAINSTAY FOR WATERFOWL FOR THE PAST 4-5 YEARS AND IT HAS WORKED GREAT…I AM TALKING ABOUT EARLY SEASON, I ONLY USE 12-15 DEKS BUT EVERYONE OF THEM HAVE COLOR. I DON’T WASTE MT TIME WITH HENS…
I guess I am the opposite of muskie, early season I rarely put out a drake or put ‘color’ in my spread. I have found that my spread works the best early in the year. Just an example, If I put out 12 mallards 8 will be hens or something of that nature. I do like to mix in a couple of bluewings and woody decoys, but I am sure you know how well they both decoy.
I guess I am the opposite of muskie, early season I rarely put out a drake or put ‘color’ in my spread. I have found that my spread works the best early in the year. Just an example, If I put out 12 mallards 8 will be hens or something of that nature. I do like to mix in a couple of bluewings and woody decoys, but I am sure you know how well they both decoy.
All year long I like to keep about 50-50 hens to drakes. The plumage does not seem to matter. Early in the season I use mallards, woodies, and teal. I do not put out divers until a little later in the year.
I do, however, think that too many deeks in your spread will scare ducks early in the year. I usually put out 3-5 dozen until the northerns start to come and then we put out everything we got(10-15 dozen).
By the way, your welcome to hunt with me anytime Nubbin. Just pick a day.
Gator Hunter
All year long I like to keep about 50-50 hens to drakes. The plumage does not seem to matter. Early in the season I use mallards, woodies, and teal. I do not put out divers until a little later in the year.
I do, however, think that too many deeks in your spread will scare ducks early in the year. I usually put out 3-5 dozen until the northerns start to come and then we put out everything we got(10-15 dozen).
By the way, your welcome to hunt with me anytime Nubbin. Just pick a day.
Gator Hunter
I’m a big time big water hunter and we usaully put around 14 dozen dekes out and no matter what time of the year it is we use all of our dekes and we have woodys, mallard, pintail, red head, bluebills, teal, and even coot decoys.( I got the coot dekes free from some friend and they work great because the coot go right to them and then you have live dekes for other ducks.) So I think it’s more on up to you to decide what you like to put out. You just have to remember that when you see those raffs of ducks out on those lakes, there is always more then one brand of duck in them, so they natually mix together too!
I’m a big time big water hunter and we usaully put around 14 dozen dekes out and no matter what time of the year it is we use all of our dekes and we have woodys, mallard, pintail, red head, bluebills, teal, and even coot decoys.( I got the coot dekes free from some friend and they work great because the coot go right to them and then you have live dekes for other ducks.) So I think it’s more on up to you to decide what you like to put out. You just have to remember that when you see those raffs of ducks out on those lakes, there is always more then one brand of duck in them, so they natually mix together too!
i like pintail and widgeon dekes if i wanna add color. They got white on em and it stands out good (for puddler ducks). I have tried putting less drakes and more hens out at the begining of the season, but i honestly never noticed any difference. I dont think it can hurt to have alot of hens tho.
big spreads are awesome, but i dont like runnin them early in the year…i rarely see ducks naturally rafted up early. November & December is when i start to bust out the “refuge” look 
i like pintail and widgeon dekes if i wanna add color. They got white on em and it stands out good (for puddler ducks). I have tried putting less drakes and more hens out at the begining of the season, but i honestly never noticed any difference. I dont think it can hurt to have alot of hens tho.
big spreads are awesome, but i dont like runnin them early in the year…i rarely see ducks naturally rafted up early. November & December is when i start to bust out the “refuge” look
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