subject: Fud Decoys - Overthrowing Traditions [print this page] Decoys are a strong point of contention among bird hunters;almost every enthusiast has an opinion about what variety of decoy is most effective and which spreads are the best for getting birds into shooting range. Because opinions are so strong, new decoys have a difficult time getting traction even when they perform admirably, and fold up decoys (known as FUD decoys) are finding that out the hard way.
Describing FUD decoys raises skepticism right off the bat; the decoy supposedly simply attracts birds to it, the way flies are attracted to sugar water. While its not quite as miraculous as all that, FUD decoys have a great deal to recommend them, particularly if youre interested in one that can be used over and over again.
Displacing Carved Decoys
Highly realistic man-made decoys of various kinds dominated the decoy market until fairly recently, and had been used for over 300 years extremely successfully. That said, the quality of a hand-carved decoy is often determined by the quality of the carving itself not its success in attracting fowl. While man may appreciate the life likeness of a beautifully carved decoy, fowl are demonstrably attracted to various decoys that arent anywhere near as true to life.
The bottom line? Birds arent that bright. They are easily fooled into shooting range by FUD decoys that are far less beautiful to the eye and far more convenient for your average hunter.
Nigh Indestructible
One of the great downfalls of traditional decoys is that a highly-realistic carving quickly becomes somewhat less so under heavy gunfire. Carved decoys are difficult to make, expensive to purchase, and quick to disintegrate under hunting conditions.FUD decoys, on the other hand, are in many instances quite literally bulletproof, making it feasible to use them again and again.
Good FUD decoys can be made impervious to ice, fuel, bullets, and the elements. They can be used on both land and water, and staked on land and ice. They can resist fading, are waterproof, and be unsinkable. And if you needed any more reasons to choose FUD decoys for durability theyre also scratch proof something no carved decoy ever is.
Convenience and Quickness
FUD decoys are quick to deploy, quick to pack up, and perhaps most importantly quick to create. Collapsible and lightweight, FUD decoys continue to be extremely effective at drawing in birds while being far less of a hassle for hunters.
As just one example, dealing with rigging is always a bit of a pain. Working out spreads and keeping lines untangled can become a major headache when transporting decoys. FUD decoys deal with the issue simply by storing its own rigging inside itself. This means when you finally arrive at your destination everything is tidy, untangled, and ready to go when you are.
An End to the Debate
Hand carved decoys may always have their place in traditionalists hearts, but when your goal is simply to bag birds quickly with minimal hassle and investment, you may want to give FUD decoys a shot. It should clear the debate over the most effective decoy pretty quickly.
If you start missing an old-fashioned bird hunters argument, though, you can always debate the best rig patterns.
