decoy direction

[Cheers]

When hunting birds I have always been told they must face into the wind . The other day I let a flock of geese land in my setup and watched them as they eat. They where defiantly not facing the wind . Do the decoys need to face the wind ? Seems to me that facing the wind should indicate they are ready to fly and not in relaxed mode .

[TylerS]

I used to think (and was told) the same thing. Honestly, I don't think direction matters a lick. That may be different with super pressured birds, but in general they see numbers on the ground and maybe the twitch of a flag. Geese aren't going, "Boy, those birds are facing every which way...must be decoys!"

[mwal]

Observe birds feeding and walking around they break up into family groups early season and are pointing every which way some are even sitting down chilling. The only time they are all bunched up and pointing one way is if landing in good wind or about to blast off or are nervous and about to blast off. Late season the flocks are bigger but they defiantly are pointing in every direction on the ground while feeding and resting. Also pay attention to how many up right heads. Content flock do not have that many upright sentry geese. one per family group of 6 to 8 . If there are a bunch they have just landed or are nervous and jumpy and may take flight.

Mwal

[CANOPY SAM]

I'll typically lay out maybe 1/3, to 1/2 of my spread facing into the wind, and the rest will be randomly looking this way or that. Obviously, the flags will be facing into the wind to optimize movement in the spread, but otherwise I try not to create anything that resembles a "pattern" in the field.

This time of year, particularly, birds are still moving around in mostly small family groups, and gather in large flocks to feed (if they can). But even in those large flocks, if you look closely (like you did), they still mill around primarily within their little family circles. I try to set my spread out to look like several family groups all gathered together in the same primary area.

I think the only real "no-no" when considering the wind is to have any number of shells facing AWAY from the wind, especially if it's blowing pretty steady. You'll probably note that they don't put their behinds into a stiff wind while feeding in a field cause it usually causes their feathers to ruffle up, and I don't think they like that much. Just like most every other critter out there they typically land, feed, and take off, into the wind. But when relaxed and feeding, like you witnessed, they will wander from side to side quite a bit.

[Feathers Rainin]

Field hunting definitely no. Field decoys facing in to the wind will make them look nervous.

Water hunting most should face in to the wind since it looks more natural especially on real windy days.