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How Quiver Magnets Can Become Duck Magnets

Summary: Like many hunters I am always looking for something that will help kill a few more ducks, especially in difficult hunting situations.

After buying a couple of quiver magnets several years ago and giving them a try they sat on the shelf for the rest of the hunting season as the ducks didn’t pay my decoy spread any more attention.

During the next duck hunting season a few ideas came to mind regarding these quiver magnets. Soon a day with very light winds was forecasted and I prepared our decoy spread and quiver magnets for another try. Wow, were we ever surprised! These light weight and mobile motion devices do work if used properly.

When Aren’t Quiver Magnets Effective?

Based on years and years of experience using Quiver Magnets and observing when they have been effective and when they’ve been totally useless…here are the times when I feel that using a Quiver Magnet is a waste of time.

1. When you only use 1 Quiver Magnet in your entire decoy spread. If you’re using more than 6-9 decoys, you need more than one Quiver Magnet.
2. When you randomly place your Quiver Magnet within your decoy spread.
3. On dark overcast days.
4. When the wind or current is causing your decoys to move on their own.
5. When you’re hunting in the wrong spot and regardless of the decoys you use, the calls you blow or the gadgets you have to complement your decoy spread it doesn’t matter. You’re hunting the wrong spot and nothing you do, with the exception of moving, will change that.
6. When you’re using a Quiver Magnet as a crutch to make up for poor calling or a poor decoy spread.

When Are Quiver Magnets Effective?

I have had days when I absolutely know that Quiver Magnets made the difference between a great day and so-so day. So here are the times when I feel that Quiver Magnets are a great tool and worth ever dime I spent on them.

1. When I use 3 or more Quiver Magnets (typically with the decoy spread I set, I use between 6 – 10).
2. On bright sunny days that have little or no wind where movement in the decoys is critical.
3. When I strategically place my Quiver Magnets within my landing zone.
4. When I use Magnum Quiver Magnets instead of the Standard Quiver Magnets that create much less motion.
5. When I am using a smaller decoy spread (less than 50 decoys).
6. On ducks that have been over-hunted, are extremely wary or late season ducks with a small decoy spread on a bright sunny day and little or no wind.

The Proofs In The Pudding When The Ingredients Are Right

Last fall in some extremely challenging circumstances, I used 6 Magnum Quiver Magnets in my 30+ super magnum duck decoy spread on a bright 73-degree sunny day with absolutely no wind. About 9:00 a.m. the birds started to move and within 45 minutes we shot a 3-man, 6-bird limit of greenheads, gadwalls and spike pintails. The amazing sight was to watch as large flocks of mallards tried to land right on top of the Quiver Magnets.

No Silver Bullet

Nope, Quiver Magnets aren’t a Silver Bullet but under the right circumstances, they can be a very effective tool. But if not used properly or in the wrong situation, their totally worthless.