How to Make a Homemade Spinning Wing Decoy

Ducks travel in groups.

Spinning wing decoys are used by duck hunters and admirers alike to attract wild ducks. The decoy looks like a duck and has wings that spin in the wind to mimic a duck's wings as it comes down for a landing. The movement attracts the attention of real ducks and encourages them to land nearby. They are available commercially, but you can make your own and soon have the most popular duck landing zone around.

Things You'll Need

• 1-by-2-inch stick of wood 5 feet long
• Nails
• Hammer
• Half-inch PVC pipe 11 inches long
• Marker
• Large aluminum baking pan
• Scissors
• Two aluminum loaf pans
• Electric drill
• Utility knife
• 1/4-inch dowel rod 22 inches long.
• Aluminum foil
• Stapler
• Enamel spray paint
• Long feathers
• Rubber band
• Wire
• Stake

Instructions

1. Prepare the stand. Take the stick of wood and hammer two nails into one of its ends. The nails should be a little over a half inch apart. Place the PVC pipe between the nails and center it. Use the hammer to bend the nails over the pipe to hold it in place.

2. Cut out the wings. Use the marker to draw two almond-shaped wings in the bottom of the large baking pan. The wings should be about 11 inches long and 6 inches wide at the center. Use strong scissors to cut the shapes out.

3. Make the body of the duck. Take one of the loaf pans and place it upside down on your work table. Use a 1/2-inch drill bit to drill a hole in the center of both sides of the pan just above the rim. Take the other loaf pan and use the utility knife to cut a 1-by-2-inch rectangle in the center of the bottom of the pan.

4. Mount the body. Place the loaf pan with the holes over the stand and push the ends of the PVC pipe one at a time through the holes from the inside. Hold the other loaf pan right side up and slide the bottom end of the wooden stick through the hole you cut in the pan. Slide the pan up until it meets the other pan. Staple the two sides together but leave the ends unstapled.

5. Make the duck head. Mold a piece of the aluminum foil into the shape of a duck's head including the neck. Use plenty of foil so it will be sturdy. Push the end of the neck between the loaf pans on one end. Staple it in place

6. Paint the duck. Use outdoor enamel spray paint to paint the loaf pans, wings and aluminum foil head to look like a duck.

7. Make the tail. Bind a dozen or so long feathers together with a rubber band. Insert the ends of the feathers between the loaf pans on the opposite side of the head. Staple them in place.

8. Mount the wings. Punch two holes in the center of the wings about 1/4 inch apart. Pass the wire through the holes of one wing and around one end of the dowel rod. The pointed part of the wings should be facing down. Make sure the wings are fixed securely to the rod. Slide the free end of the dowel rod through the PVC pipe. Attach the remaining wing to the other end of the dowel rod.

9. Set up your decoy. Choose a spot, then drive the stake into the ground. Secure the stand of your decoy to the stake with wire so that it stands up straight.

Tips & Warnings

• Spinning wing duck decoys are illegal in the state of Arkansas.

References

• Field and Stream: How to Make a Cheap Spinning-Wing Duck Decoy
• Take Em: Spinning Wing Duck Decoy Tips & Tactics