Do any of yall use Black Duck deeks in your spread? Where do you position them? I was thinking about mixing them in with my mallards. Thoughts?

You talking about black ducks, like the species, or black colored ducks?

is this a political post? Oughta move this one to off topic...

Is this racist?

Don't see why it would hurt but why you want to run a black mallard speread in Texas?

I use the species of black ducks in my spread. Sometimes mixed in sometimes off by themselves. I've seen little difference but I hunt private tanks so the birds may be committed before they even see the decoys.

I'm talking about the species. Black Duck decoys are seen from a farther distance away. I don't like magnums, and I'm downsizing my spread to about 2 dozen ducks. I've seen them fly and loaf with mallards. Even if they're a lot more spooky.

Just what part of Texas are you seeing this big string of black ducks loafing?

We use them for mottled ducks down here south. Set 2 or 3 about 10 to 15 yards away from ur spread by themselfs closer to the bank. They try to land right on top of em every time

If 5 decoys constitutes a "big string", then you need to check out my coot spread!

I've seen Black ducks loafing with mallards from Norman Oklahoma to Lake Arthur Louisiana. They're not as common as most puddlers in Texas, but my idea was to make my spread more visible. 5 uncommon ducks won't queer the deal.

Coots in the spread?????

Ok so let me make sure we are on the same page here. Now are you talking about the North American black duck aka black mallard, or are you talking about coots aka mud hens?? Either way they won't mess up your spread. I like to think of myself as the JJ of black mallards, and really enjoy shooting them except I only tie into them in Maryland

North American Black Ducks are what I was referring to. I do have a raft of coots I like to throw out as a blocker.

Take me to your black mallards please

I've hunted northeastern Oklahoma almost KS all my life seen one blk duck killed, that's out of my entire family, and that's a lot of duck hunters. But ill never say never, but regardless tthat's still a rarity

shot a few in Katy, years ago...

Won't hurt the spread any.

But...I'm with Jeff on this one, and he's already asked the same questions I was wanting to ask.

Are you positive they are Black Ducks, and not Mottled Ducks.

Sure it is possible, but I had to travel to Maine to get mine.

By the way, all ducks at a distance look black...its just the silhouette that's visible. If this is your main reason to use them, then they will be no different than any other decoy.

Shot one in Weatherford Texas in 1987. Rest Ive killed on the eastern shore

Never seen one in Texas. We used to mud stomp them in Ohio just because we liked the green headed mallards more.

I always use black ducks in my spread because I see them regularly.


























When Im hunting in Michigan.

I've only killed 1 in Texas, but I have seen a few here and there on occasion. I could be wrong. They could have just been young mallards or even a mottled, like you mentioned. It's difficult to be 100% certain without getting really close. I'm not that good. I've seen pics and read articles detailing their habits. From what I have gathered, it's not abnormal for them to co-mingle, so seeing a few black ducks mixed in won't be anything to cause alarm..

I'm trying to make my spread different than every other mallard setup they see on public land, yet still believable to a green-head. Plus, I get sick of looking at mallard deeks all the time. Make sense?

you hunting down around the coast?

They're more visible from the sky, and they won't mess up your spread.