While early-season birds might fall for simple spreads and basic setups, late-season ducks are a whole different challenge. These birds have seen it all: decoy spreads, elaborate calling ...

Once seen as mere hunting tools, duck decoys have waddled their way into the world of collecting hobbies. It’s easy to see why: These handcrafted works of art are painted with intricate details ...

Puddle-duck hunters, in particular, will want to pare down the decoy numbers ... timber hole is far more difficult now than in the early season. This doesn’t mean you have to ditch your posse ...

Early in the season ... it will slow down and offer a much easier shot out in front of the decoys. If a duck is coming straight at you, wait until you can see an eyeball before shooting.

During New York’s early season, I will often see and kill ... For freshwater hunts, I usually throw out two Avian X black duck decoys mixed in with my spread of mallards and wood ducks.