Guide To Building Duck Decoys

Building your own decoys is about the only way to really get what you want without spending a fortune. I have spent hundreds of hours testing and using different methods of construction. Here's the advantages and disadvantages of several methods.

Foam decoys are made by placing either self expanding urethane foam or polystyrene beads(requires immersion boiling water to expand) inside an aluminum mold.

Two Part Urethane Foam

Advantages: Produces an unsinkable rock hard decoy that doesn’t require burplapping for strength. Spray paint will not melt this type of foam.

Disadvantages: Molds and foam(plus shipping) get spendy.

Polystyrene Beads

Advantages: Very light decoy and unsinkable.

Disadvantages: Produces a much softer decoy than urethane and needs to be burlapped for durability, unless you want to baby them. Boiling process is a little awkward and requires special equipment. Spray paint can not be used on this type of foam.

Burlapped foam decoys are made by “fiber glassing” a type 1 tile mastic with landscaping burlap over the foam body. My recommendation would be to buy the Herters blanks from Cabelas as they have a built in keel and realistic body design. You can of course burlap your own foam decoys also.

Advantages: Produces an unsinkable decoy with a rock hard skin for durability and the burlap itself has a nice texture. Oil, acrylic, or spray paints can be used.

Disadvantages: Slightly heavier than straight foam and the burlap process will last about 10 years.

Cork decoys are made by carving either a tan or black cork.

Advantages: No costly mold required and since you’re carving them yourself these decoys are the most custom from one decoy to another. These decoys are very durable and unsinkable. Oil, acrylic, or spray paints can be used.

Disadvantages: Cork and shipping get spendy and takes some time to achieve finished product. Of the three options these decoys weigh the most.

Decoy Heads

You can make your own heads by carving wood or buy a mold to pour two part foam in. I think it's alot simpler and even cheaper in the long run to just buy the heads. Here's some sources...

Wooden Decoy Heads - painted or unpainted
Autumn Wing Decoys - Very nice hand carved wooden heads and affordable.

Foam Decoy Heads - unpainted
E Allen - Really nice heads but expensive.
Mighty Layout Boys - Good quality foam heads and affordable.
Toledo Duck Decoys - Good quality foam heads and affordable.

Plastic Heads - painted or unpainted
Cabelas - Herters heads, okay but there all the same and can't be modified like foam or wood heads.

Summary:

If your looking to build about a dozen decoys to hunt with cork is good option, especialy if you have a boat.

If your looking for 12 or more and weight is of concern I would go burlapped foam. Because you can buy Herter's blank foam bodies from Cabelas I would just go with burlapping the Herters blanks. Remember the Herter's blanks have a built in weighted keel which saves alot of time.

If your looking to build 6 dozen or more then I would crunch the numbers to consider two-part foam decoys. The cost of the mold and shipping of foam can really make this option cost prohibitive.

Related Information

Refer to our video Tailor Painted for instructions and paint colors.

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