what kind of decoys?

[buckslayer]

I am making some decoys for next year and don't know what kind to make. The main species around here are: Hairhead(hooded merganser), Dipper(buffle head) and Black Ducks. My questian is if I put a dozen or so out  that are all Dippers, will a Black or Hair Head pitch with them or vise versa??. Also how many hens to drakes should I put out? I heard that 2 hens for every 4 drakes is the best. ?. Does any one else make their own decoys? I make mine out of redwood. I tried cork, but it crumbbles to easy :cry: . I make the redwood ones hallow and 2 parts, then paint w/ flat enamel. there not show ducks but they work just as good as plastic. Also I am going to make some Black out of foam bodies and wood head. My friend told me this work good to, if you don't have time for carving out of wood. THANKS for any info!!!!!1

[Sx2]

You can't go wrong by observing actual birds behavior. This takes some time in the field, it is quality time though. Depending on migration routs, food sources, and breeding conditions, birds may yhave different habbits in different locations.

Observe & mimmick.

[dukkillr]

i'm not an expert on divers as we mostly hunt puddle ducks here.  If divers are like mallards it doesn't much matter what type of decoy you use, or what male/female ratio you have.  My travel bag (for wade in hunting) is 30 drakes, 12 hens b/c the drakes are easier to wrap the lead around and thus tangle less.  Every type of duck works mallard decoys just fine.