Duck decoys are used for hunting and training dogs. The original decoy was a wicker tunnel used to trap ducks, while modern decoys are dummy ducks floated on water. Decoys vary in design and are used to lure ducks into a sense of security. The word “bait” comes from the Dutch word for “cage.” Hunting dogs are trained with decoys and calls. Decoys can be purchased or made by hand, and some people collect antique decoys as home decor.
Duck decoys are tools used for catching and hunting ducks. In the original sense, a duck decoy was a wicker tunnel placed over a pond or stream and used to trap large numbers of ducks. In the modern sense, decoys are usually dummy ducks that are floated on bodies of water to encourage real ducks to land. These calls are also used in hunting dog training.
The original duck decoy was a pretty clever device. The hunter placed what was essentially a large basket over a body of water, then used a well-trained hunting dog to herd the ducks into the decoy. Once inside, the ducks were trapped and the hunter could take the ducks to market and sell them. This type of decoy is still used by some naturalists to trap live birds for tagging and study purposes.
The cage-like basket also explains the origins of the word “bait.” In Dutch, de kooi means “the cage” and English users probably got the term and technique from Dutch hunters. Several examples of historical references can be found around Europe; some are considered national heritage sites and are part of larger parks and reserve areas. In some cases, reserves offer live demonstrations of decoys for visitors interested in seeing them in use.
However, when the term “duck decoy” is used today, most people think of model ducks, rather than cages. Duck decoys vary in design from very crude representations of ducks to elaborate imitations that can be designed to move or swim, thus lulling the ducks into a sense of security. When the ducks see the decoy, they decide the body of water is safe and land in it, thus exposing themselves to hunters who may shoot, trap or trap them.
Hunting dogs are also trained with the use of decoys. Hunters who pursue waterfowl need dogs to retrieve the birds they shoot without harming them. Calls are used to teach dogs to sit patiently until needed, and are also used to show dogs how to carefully pick up a bird and return it to the person who shot it.
Many hunting vendors sell decoys, and it’s even possible to make one by hand, if you have crafting skills. Some people also collect antique and historic duck decoys as interesting pieces of home sculpture, especially in homes that are decorated with a rustic or country theme.
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