Duck hunters often have to tackle the question of what makes the best duck spread and generally, there is no fixed answer as it all depends on certain factors and prevailing conditions. The best spread would include the duck types, which are present in the area in that particular season. Many duck hunting aficionados make the mistake of relying on only one type like mallard and not mixing any other type.

In order to make your hunt more successful it is always advised to add a confidence decoy in your spread.

The most commonly used is the coot decoy, which is also called the mud hen. This is a bird of black color but actually is not a duck. The strategy behind this is that ducks usually like coots and a few will be seen swimming along with ducks. When you use a few coot decoys in your spread, which consists mainly of ducks it makes the formation seem more realistic. Another advantage is that many ducks, which fly high, find it easier in spotting the black in a decoy spread.

You will find many different types of coot decoys available in the market today. Most of them have very good detail and come with raised feathers and eyes made of acrylic material that looks very realistic. The coot decoy either will have the simple weighted keel or comes with an adjustment hook with the anchor line. The body is usually made of plastic for extra durability under hard conditions and is light in weight. Most manufacturers use a non-glare black paint, which gives it the original dull black look found in the actual birds. The body of the decoy is first treated with special materials so that the paint becomes highly adhesive to the surface and does not come off even after years of use.