A good decoy spread is the difference between a successful day and a silent morning. It is not enough to scatter decoys at random – the pattern, the spacing and the placement in relation to the wind decide whether the birds commit or pass by. Below we go through the most common spread patterns and when to use each one.
The basic principle: understand the wind
Birds always land into the wind. That is the single most important rule in all hunting over decoys. It means you have to plan your spread so that the birds turn into the wind as they come in to land – and in doing so pass over your hide within range.
Position your hide so that you have the wind in your face or quartering from the side. The decoys go out in front of and around the hide, with an opening (a landing zone) on the downwind side – the spot the birds naturally want to land in.
The four most common patterns
1. The U shape (horseshoe)
The most popular pattern, especially for pigeon and goose hunting. The decoys are placed in a half-moon shape with the opening on the downwind side (away from the wind). The birds see the spread from a distance and swing naturally into the opening to land.
- Distance: 15–30 metres from the hide to the nearest decoy.
- Size: At least 6–12 decoys for crow and jackdaw, 12–24 for pigeon, 20+ for goose.
- Best for: Pigeon, goose and jackdaw on open fields.
2. The V shape (the funnel)
Two lines of decoys forming a V with the point into the wind. The birds are led in along the sides and land in the middle of the V. Your hide sits just behind the point of the V.
- Distance: The mouth of the V should be 20–40 metres wide.
- Best for: Goose hunting on stubble fields where the birds come from one fixed direction.
3. The J shape (the hook)
A variation of the U shape where one side is longer than the other. The long side acts as a leading line that steers the birds towards the landing zone at the bend of the hook. Particularly effective when the wind is quartering.
- Best for: Crosswind situations where the wind is not coming straight at the hide.
4. The cluster (natural spread)
The decoys are placed in small clusters of 3–5, spread across a larger area. It imitates a flock that has spread out to feed. Less structured, but it can look more realistic, especially for crows.
- Spacing between clusters: 3–5 metres.
- Best for: Crow and jackdaw on pasture and smaller fields.
Variation in the spread
A spread made up of identical decoys all set at the same angle looks unnatural. For the best result:
- Vary the angle – set some head-on, some quartering and some angled into the wind.
- Mix the shapes – if you are after geese, add a few “resting” or “feeding” silhouettes if you have them.
- Leave gaps – a spread that is too tight looks needlessly crowded. Allow natural spaces between birds.
Distance from the hide
A common beginner's mistake is setting the decoys too far out. Remember that you want the birds to land among the decoys, which means the decoys themselves have to be within range. 15–25 metres to the centre of the spread is a good benchmark.
Adapt to the species
| Species | Number of decoys | Pattern | Distance to hide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crow | 6–18 | Cluster or U | 15–25 m |
| Jackdaw | 12–24 | U or cluster | 15–25 m |
| Woodpigeon | 12–30 | U or J | 15–20 m |
| Goose | 20–50+ | U or V | 20–35 m |
Moving decoys – the extra magnet
A pigeon spinner, a fluttering flag or a wing spinner draws the eye and tells passing birds that it is safe to land. Place the movement in or close to the landing zone for the greatest effect. Our pigeon spinner is a popular addition.
Common mistakes
- Too few decoys – for goose and pigeon hunting in particular you need volume to be convincing.
- All decoys facing the same way – it looks like a parade, not a flock.
- No landing zone – without an opening the birds do not know where to drop in.
- A hide that is too visible – even the best spread will not help if the birds can see you.
Step by step: how to do it
- Scout – look the field over the day before. Where are the birds sitting? Which direction do they come from?
- Read the wind – work out the wind direction and pick a hide position with the wind in your face.
- Choose the pattern – U for open fields, V for a fixed approach line, cluster for a natural spread.
- Set out – start with the outer edges and fill in towards the middle. Vary the angles.
- Check – take a few steps back and look at the spread from the birds' point of view. Does it look natural?
- Fine-tune – during the hunt, move any decoys that are not working. Many experienced hunters adjust the spread continuously.
The right decoys make it easier
Silhouette decoys are ideal for building and changing a spread quickly – they are light, they stack, and they give a sharp outline at distance. See our range of silhouette decoys here.
