How to Make Hunting Decoys
The decoy is the most significant aspect in waterfowl hunting. Modern decoys are generally dull and similar in appearance. Change things up by learning how to make your own decoys in various positions and attitudes, creating spreads depicting social and feeding opportunities.
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Things You'll Need
- Cork or balsa wood blocks
- Push-pull knife
- Hot glue
- 80- to 100-grit sand paper
- Thumbtacks
- Drill Press
- Large and small rasps
- Sealant
- Paint
- Primer
- Band saw
- Decoy patterns
- Regular knife
- Cedar or bass wood blocks
Instructions
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Learn to Make Hunting Decoys
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1
Research patterns for the types of decoy species you intend to make. Remember that you want a variety of attitude portrayals for each species. The more varied your spread is when hunting, the more attracted waterfowl will be to your decoys.
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2
Transfer your selected body pattern to cork or balsa block by using thumbtacks to attach paper to the wood. Align the profile and top-view patterns from a squared line.
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3
Use your band saw to cut out the top-view pattern. Cut continuously from one end of the top-view pattern to the other end.
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4
Tack the body pieces back together with a few drops of hot glue and use the band saw to cut out the profile-view pattern.
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5
Tack head patterns to cedar or bass wood blocks. Align patterns to a squared line using the beaks as alignment points. Be sure that your eye lines for both the top and profile views are aligned correctly.
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6
Drill holes with a drill press into the pattern eye holes. Cut the head's top-profile view with a band saw, and then tack wood pieces back together with hot glue. Proceed to cut the profile view.
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7
Trace pattern-carving guidelines onto the body piece. Begin carving the head platform, and then the rump and tail, followed by body details.
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8
Trace pattern-carving guidelines onto the headpiece. Begin carving the decoy head details using a knife or rasp to form the beak, head and neck. When your carving is complete, sand the entire decoy to smooth out rough edges and prepare for priming and painting.
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9
Do not forget to add a keel to your decoy. Research keel patterns and replicate your desired keel using additional wood or metal.
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10
Paint your finished decoy according to the species you replicated. Have fun experimenting with primers, texture variations and colors until you achieve your desired results.
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Tips & Warnings
Do not worry too much about painting elaborate details on each decoy. Simplicity usually works, and you will save time in the long run when doing touch-up painting for future hunts.
Don't forget to attach an anchor loop to your decoy in order to fasten your anchor-line connection.
