Survey about Spinning Wing Decoys

[GulfCoast]

Sigh.....and we have gone all this time including 2 weeks into the season without this again......

[bear]

After this past weekend, I am not sure. These early ducks are already educated on spinners. My experience in the past was great in the early season, but not this year!

It depends on how dear $150 is to you! [img]images/smiles/icon_confused.gif[/img]

[CaptnT]

I watched alot of birds flare this weekend when they got in close to one. It seems to attract from far, but spooks them when they are closer.

I personally don't use one for three reasons:

I can kill ducks without them.
I am too tight to spend that kind of money
I feel (personally) they are unethical

That doesn't mean I look down on those that choose to use them, but I do pity them. I am teaching my younger brother how to duck hunt this year, and am killing ducks without using one. He bought a couple of those quiver magnets with wings and we didn't kill a duck until we picked it up.

Everybody is entitled to thier opinion, and I am not trying to start a debate. I have seen them be effective (the past two years) and I have seen them run off flocks of birds. I can't see spending that much on a gadget that will be outlawed or become ineffective in the next few years.

[gator]

i agree w/ the captain in the case that it seemed to pull them from pretty far but they seemed to flare when in close...we had a group of greenheads cupped and then flare when they got close...i am convinced that the spinner flared them...we took it down and had a descent late morning...just my .02 cents...later.
P.S. i don't personally believe anything is wrong w/ using them but i may hold off on it

[unleaded]

As for spinning wings:
Hunted with Robo one time and got the limit — of robos. The darned thing started squeaking 10 minutes into the hunt. The owner of the robo wouldn't go turn the noisy thing off so the rest of us turned it off for him with a volley of No. 2 steel. Say what you want about steel's inability to cleanly kill a duck, but what three or four loads will do to a robo duck has to be seen to be believed.
Best $50 I've ever spent (1/3 share of replacement).

[TN Duck Daddy]

I think they are loosing their effectiveness. It seems every season the ducks are getting better educated to them.

For the record, I don't own one and won't own one, but hunt with a friend sometimes who does. I think the people who own them will tell you they don't work like they did 3 years ago.

I'd spend my money on upgrading or adding to my decoys.

[damnyankee]

I like jackites. We've been using one since season started and the ducks love it.
No batteries, no fussing just need wind.

[swampland]

I have not bought one or hunted with one.
Always have shot my share of ducks whithout.
Plus money is always tight.What I understand,
is, they are working better for the hunter
that hunts without.Spend your money on up-
grading what you have.

PS:NO BATTERIES
[img]images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img] [img]images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img] [img]images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img] [img]images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

[LimitOut]

IF GOT ONE ONE IT WOULD BE A MOJO !!!!

ONCE THEY START GETTIN CLOSER PUT IT IN THE LOCKED WING POSITION THATS HELPS THE FLARIND!!!!

[RedEyed Duck]

Deadeye, spend your time with a good call a instructional CD or tape and learn how to "blow a duck call!"

[sondance]

I have used mechanical ducks twice this year. In my perosnl opinion the ducks have wised up to them. They either seem indifferent or flare.Last year the ducks would drop right on top of them. Just so you'll know I can blow a duck call and have plenty of decoys. I am just a gadget freak. IMHO unless I was hunting public land all the time I would save my money. But, if you are set on getting one get a MOJO [img]images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img]

[torch]

i agree! the ducks see robo from canada all the way to us. last year we had trouble late with the ducks flaring. this year they are educated with degree from msu.

[Deadeye]

Fellow duck hunters,

In your own opinion (I'm proud Benny isn't going to chime in on this one), is the investment of a Robo duck worth it? Is it better in timber holes or open water? I guess what I need to find out is, is it worth it?

You see, my hunting padnuh can't call a lick and I think we need to enhance our odds. [img]images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img] I mean, thank goodness for a feedin' mallard shaker call, atleast he can do that!! [img]images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img] [img]images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

All kidding aside, I would appreciate your input, I know it's a touchy topic with some hunters.

[10bore]

Well boys, I haven't posted anything since last year. But I have a little message that I thought I would pass on straight from the horse's mouth.

"Robo ducks have been seen by two generations now and as more of them (real birds) survive, their effectiveness will diminish considerably. This will only be compounded by the fact that a duck can see from 20,000 feet that it is a trick, while it very often requires them to move within 35 yards of standard decoys, offering you a shot before they can see that regular decoys are not the real thing. As the yearlings that fall in the north continues to grow in number (as the only group still succeptible to them, the north will continue to shoot most of the yearlings and the south will end up with more robo-wary adults per capita, bringing on the demise of their effectiveness in the southern states. The robo will end up being the exact same thing in our fields as it was from the very beginning. Absolute in yo face as bright as it can be proof that the idiot sitting behind it doesn't know enough about duck hunting to hunt ducks. And that's from the horse's mouth, so flip that switch and have yourself a mallard-less reality check so we can all laugh at you and know if this was dinner you would be in deep horse dookey..."


From the horses mouth. Don't shoot the messenger boy, although I have to say that tend to favor this opinion and that's why I am posting this for y'all. Especially since he toned it down quite a bit...

[Deadeye]

Fella's, I appreciate the insightfull input from everyone (almost everyone). Got a nasty little email from Benny, lots of name calling. It's too bad there are people in this world with that kind of hate and attitude.

With that said, I personally have never used one or hunted with anyone that had one. We always seem to kill ducks with just a spread. I guess as hunters we are always looking for an advantage over the game we chase, whether it is whitetails or longbeards. Anyway, thanks again and I hope everyone has a safe and memorable season. Deadeye

[ December 11, 2001: Message edited by: Deadeye ]