Repairing Guides

how to repair duck decoys

by Prof. Pattie Bartoletti V Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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  1. Clean and dry the broken decoy headpieces.
  2. Place a quarter-sized amount of plastic glue on the paper towel to use as your glue supply.
  3. Dip the end of a toothpick in the plastic glue and apply the plastic glue to the edges of the broken headpieces.
  4. Match up the broken decoy headpieces and hold them in the correct place with your hand.
  5. Use the electrical tape to wrap around the decoy head and broken pieces to secure them into the correct place.
  6. Set the decoy heads gently on a flat surface and allow them to dry for 2-4 hours.
  7. Gently remove the electrical tape to reveal the finished product.

Part of a video titled How to repair and paint duck decoys to look new again
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Full Answer

How do you clean a duck decoy?

Decoy carver and call maker Fred Zink says that hunters should thoroughly clean their decoys before each duck season. "Wash them with water, but don't use soap," Zink advises. "Most soap contains ultraviolet brighteners that make decoys look unnatural to ducks.

Should you repair or Paint Your decoys?

Fortunately, repairing and painting your decoys is easy and inexpensive to do. And it's a great way to spend some quality time with friends and family on a hot summer day. Wade Bourne, editor-at-large of Ducks Unlimited magazine, spruces up his decoys before each new hunting season. First, he fixes any leaks.

Why do Ducks lock up when you paint decoys?

After all, when ducks and geese lock up and drop toward your spread, it's because they believe your decoys are the real thing. But if your decoys are full of water, covered in mud, or missing paint, they don't look like live ducks. Fortunately, repairing and painting your decoys is easy and inexpensive to do.

Can you use armor all on duck decoys?

"Most soap contains ultraviolet brighteners that make decoys look unnatural to ducks. But it is a good idea to wipe down colorful areas like a mallard drake's head and chest with Armor All." If your decoys still look dull after cleaning, it's time to touch up the paint.

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How do you restore duck decoys?

A telescoping golf-ball retriever, like those used by golfers to retrieve balls from water hazards, can be modified to pick up decoys and retrieve ducks from thick cover. Remove the ball-retrieving end and replace it with a hook.

How do you fix foam decoys?

2:2724:54Step 2 for foam, restle/Homer coat and burlap decoys...repair and primeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo shake her up a little. Bit put her on there and all we're going to do is just kind of lay. TheMoreSo shake her up a little. Bit put her on there and all we're going to do is just kind of lay. The lay the foam right in there. And let it expand and harden up and fill those holes.

How do you fix goose and duck decoys?

0:173:25How to Fix a Broken Duck or Goose Decoy Head & FREE ... - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd finally tape here we're using painters tape but electrical tape will probably actually workMoreAnd finally tape here we're using painters tape but electrical tape will probably actually work better the good news is is that the total cost for this project are pretty minimal. Most.

What kind of paint do you use on duck decoys?

Purchase one small- to medium-sized can of satin finish black latex paint and another can of satin-finish white latex paint. (Be sure to purchase satin finish, not gloss or semi-gloss. Satin finish has just the right sheen for painting decoys.) Also, buy a small assortment of brushes 1 inch wide or less.

How do you foam fill duck decoys?

0:198:32Duck Hunting - FOAM FILLED DECOY ( DIY ) - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe back end of the decoy. Just above the waterline to insert the foam and to drain any water thatMoreThe back end of the decoy. Just above the waterline to insert the foam and to drain any water that might are to be in your decoys. Last but not least.

How do you seal duck decoys?

The best patching material is a styrene-based silicone sealant named Lexel. This sealant accepts paint better than other silicone sealants. Apply Lexel to holes/cracks in decoys with a standard caulking gun (the kind that has a trigger latch that releases pressure immediately when the trigger is relaxed).

What is the best duck decoy spread?

Here are five downsized decoy spreads that just might help you put more birds in the bag this season with a lot less work.Shallow-Water Dabblers. VETERAN WATERFOWLER. ... Green-Timber Greenheads. VETERAN WATERFOWLER. ... Prairie Pothole Puddle Ducks. VETERAN WATERFOWLER. ... Backwater Mallards. ... Cold Combo for Late-Season Geese.

How many duck decoys should you use?

On smaller, confined waters, a spread of six to 36 decoys should be sufficient. On larger waters or dry fields, hunters should put out as many decoys as practical. I never heard of anybody scaring ducks or geese away because they used too many decoys. Typically, the more, the merrier.

How far should decoys be from blind?

Be sure, too, that the farthest decoy is no more than 30 yards from the blind, in case birds alight at the outer edge or swing over the spread without setting down. Puddle ducks dislike flying over birds on the water, so leave a clear path to the landing hole.

Can I use acrylic paint on duck decoys?

You can purchase duck decoys for any species you'd like, or you can easily paint your own duck decoys with spray paint and/or acrylic paint.

How do you make old decoys look new?

0:597:38How to repair and paint duck decoys to look new again - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipMillions are clean just rub them down good and just rough that surface up a little bit. All you needMoreMillions are clean just rub them down good and just rough that surface up a little bit. All you need to fix some decoys is maybe a little painters tape.

How do you spray paint duck decoys?

3:4510:04How to Paint Decoys | Cheap Duck Decoys - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipFirst. I like that other side and the top. Just like that. And then go ahead and do all your wife.MoreFirst. I like that other side and the top. Just like that. And then go ahead and do all your wife. Do all your decoys get all the white paint over.

Should goose decoys face into the wind?

Hunters will often place their decoys facing one direction, which is O.K. if you want your spread to look unrealistic. Geese in a real flock will face one general direction, usually into the wind, but you will have those that are feeding or moving about that will be facing any direction.

How do you fully flock a goose decoy?

1:384:43How to Flock Goose Decoy Heads in 5 Simple Steps & FREE ... - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWhat we're going to be doing is using our paint brush to apply this paint to the decoy. Head theMoreWhat we're going to be doing is using our paint brush to apply this paint to the decoy. Head the paint is actually going to work as our adhesive. As we sprinkle the flocking over the decoy. Head.

Where do you put goose decoys on a duck spread?

And more importantly perhaps, their large size allows them to be seen from a greater distance, adding visibility to the spread. Most savvy waterfowlers consider it best to place them in pairs here and there on the outside edge of the duck decoys (on shore or in the water), typically on the upwind side.

How do you make goose shell decoys float?

0:093:56How To Turn Shell Decoys Into Floaters!! - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipI did was I took some three-quarter inch pipe insulation. It splits down the middle. And I justMoreI did was I took some three-quarter inch pipe insulation. It splits down the middle. And I just drilled some holes about the size of my tire wraps.

How to repair a duck decoy?

Decoy Do-Overs, How to Repair Duck Decoys. There are a few different ways to repair a duck decoy. Before using any of the following methods, start by washing the de coy. To do this, use a mild cleaner such as a citrus spray, as well as a scrubbing brush. Give the decoy plenty of time to dry before you get started.

What is the best way to fix a plastic duck decoy?

Soldering Iron: A soldering iron is the best way to fix a damaged plastic duck decoy. Essentially, the soldering iron is used almost like a welder, except that you are welding plastic instead of metal. This is the most permanent and most structurally secure method available.

What to do with hot clue decoy?

Hot clue is great for repairing cracks along the keel of the decoy as well as pellet holes. It has a high strength and it dries very fast.

How to prevent rope drips?

It can be difficult to control where the rope drips. To prevent a mess from happening, it is a good idea to make a stencil of the area that you want filled with a piece of paper. As with a soldering iron, gloves should be worn in order to avoid burning yourself while using this method.

Can you use expanding foam on duck decoys?

It should not be used in order to repair cracks in your duck decoy, however. Expanding Foam: The idea behind this is to fill the decoy with an expanding foam such as Great Stuff. Some people have recommended this method but we do not recommend it.

Problem 1: Ducks set their wings but are landing way far out

Analysis: A decoy spread situated too close to the hunting blind or hideout doesn’t invite ducks in to a convenient landing zone that’s well within shotgun range.

Problem 2: Ducks are locked up on the spread but then land just short of shotgun range

Analysis: This problem often happens in a crosswind, when ducks approach into the wind but put their landing gear down well short of the decoys that are right in front of you.

Problem 3: Ducks show interest, flutter, but then flare (and your hide is perfect)

Analysis: If you are certain that everyone is hidden well (including the dog), then the most likely problem is that there’s no place in your spread for the birds to land.

Problem 4: Heads turn, the ducks take a closer look, but then the flock continues on

Analysis: This is the most vexing of all decoy spread problems. You can sit and bird-watch, or you can get creative and do something about it.

Problem 5: Pairs and singles are avoiding you altogether

Analysis: As morning wears on, flock size shrinks until it seems that it’s just pairs and singles looking for refuge. But these ducks have been getting shot at all morning by hunters with outsize decoy spreads.

Why do ducks lock up when they see decoys?

After all, when ducks and geese lock up and drop toward your spread, it's because they believe your decoys are the real thing. But if your decoys are full of water, covered in mud, or missing paint, they don't look like live ducks. Fortunately, repairing and painting your decoys is easy and inexpensive to do. And it's a great way to spend some quality time with friends and family on a hot summer day.

What decoy line does Bourne use?

Bourne has tried rigging decoys many different ways, but he prefers using tarred nylon decoy line and lead weights.

Do you wash decoys before duck season?

Decoy carver and call maker Fred Zink says that hunters should thoroughly clean their decoys before each duck season. "Wash them with water, but don't use soap," Zink advises. "Most soap contains ultraviolet brighteners that make decoys look unnatural to ducks.

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