Anyone Hunting With 3/4 Swan Decoys?

M

Mike Trudel

Well-known member
I have two large (36") swans (made by Chuck J), and have had enough success hunting with them, that I want a larger rig of them, but the size and weight is prohibitive. I have 12 cork goose (22") bodies cut out, but do not really need more geese. My question is, if I make these goose bodies into swans, will the 3/4 swan size work just as well as full size swans? I should state that my mallard decoys that will be with the swan decoys are 16".

After witnessing numerous flocks of mallards and cans coming into actual feeding swans, late season, I want to set up a similar rig. Thanks for any comments. Mike
 
Mike, here in North Carolina we have thousands of wintering swans of which I draw a permit for and harvest one every year. I hunt over 3 to 5 of the carry lite swans and find it to be enough for decoying small flocks or singles/triples. They mate for life and to me appear to be able to tell when there is an unpaired swan down below, hence the odd number of dekes. Kinda like what my dad taught me hunting blacks in jersey, use an odd number. As for the size of the decoy I know many guys use snow goose decoys to atract swans with great success. Just be careful because the young immature birds will come right in. Hold out and wait for the big old ones. If you don't get one, apply for a permit here. Guides guarantee the swan hunts here. Dave
 
I just gotta correct that they don't mate for life. They have long-term pair bonds. As long as the pair continues to raise young, they stay together. If they have a couple of bad years, OR the mate doesn't survive, they have no problems chosing a new mate.

Clint
 
Same thing with geese and just about any other animal that people say "They mate for life". Its just people putting human ideals onto animals, but its not really biologically realistic nor does it make sense biologically. Females stay with a mate that is effective in producing offspring.
 
We use painted goose decoys up here for swan confidence decoys. We put smaller wigeon decoys around them to similate the birds stealing food from the swans as they feed.

I recently acquired some over sized foam honker shells that work in the field or float and have two painted for swan decoys. Except for the funny looking huge heads on short necks they appear OK from a distance.
 
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