CaliDuckPro
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Mojo ducks, or Robo Ducks, whatever the name for them is, is more of a personal preferrence than anything. Personally, I don't care for them. A lot of the times it depends on where you're hunting as well. Here in California, on the refuges, they seem to work for the first 2-3 weeks, but the ducks seem to wise up to them. They're definately not friendly on Specks, at least not on the refuges.
It seems that the people who own them, are the people who can't really call that well to bring ducks into the spread. I've hunted under them a few times, and I've had some good shoots, and some horrible shoots. A lot of times what happens, is you'll get the ducks' attention, and you'll swing them back, and they'll lock up about 60 yds out, just to swing back around and lock up 60 yds out again.
Like I said, it's mainly personal preferrence. Give it a try, if you like it, use it.
It seems that the people who own them, are the people who can't really call that well to bring ducks into the spread. I've hunted under them a few times, and I've had some good shoots, and some horrible shoots. A lot of times what happens, is you'll get the ducks' attention, and you'll swing them back, and they'll lock up about 60 yds out, just to swing back around and lock up 60 yds out again.
Like I said, it's mainly personal preferrence. Give it a try, if you like it, use it.
DumptheDrake
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I am one of those idiots who bought those things errr a few times and
anyway - now have four of them. when they first came out and we were at Tulelake opening week I used to have to scream at my buddies
"Wait until the mallard passes robo- no! no!" blam. and the duck would fold along with the polypropulene wing and assembly. The limit was five
that year and we (three of us) took 15 mallards out of Units 9 and 8 at LKNWR and shell's, bunny and terry's hole on the tule side. -all due to robo. My friends had to buy me replacement wings twice. I finally figured out the best way was to put robo about 70 yds out. OK now I have not lost any wings but every one of my robos has steel pellet holes in them. Nowadays, I still use at least one of them only because every time I don't bring one- the guys in the next spot over are using one and
slamming the ducks. I still find them effective over the flooded rice in Colusa and of virtually no effect at the Salton Sea.
anyway - now have four of them. when they first came out and we were at Tulelake opening week I used to have to scream at my buddies
"Wait until the mallard passes robo- no! no!" blam. and the duck would fold along with the polypropulene wing and assembly. The limit was five
that year and we (three of us) took 15 mallards out of Units 9 and 8 at LKNWR and shell's, bunny and terry's hole on the tule side. -all due to robo. My friends had to buy me replacement wings twice. I finally figured out the best way was to put robo about 70 yds out. OK now I have not lost any wings but every one of my robos has steel pellet holes in them. Nowadays, I still use at least one of them only because every time I don't bring one- the guys in the next spot over are using one and
slamming the ducks. I still find them effective over the flooded rice in Colusa and of virtually no effect at the Salton Sea.
CaliDuckPro
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I have found that the times they work most effectively, are the first couple weeks they're legal, IMO. Also they do seem to work pretty well over flooded rice, throughout the whole year. But I, being a refuge hunter, dont care too much for them.
I've had days where guys with robo ducks pull all of the ducks and just smash em while I'm sitting around and being a spectator, but I've also had days where I've pulled all of the ducks, where Mr. Robo duck has nothing.
Try hunting under em before you buy one. That always helps.
I've had days where guys with robo ducks pull all of the ducks and just smash em while I'm sitting around and being a spectator, but I've also had days where I've pulled all of the ducks, where Mr. Robo duck has nothing.
Try hunting under em before you buy one. That always helps.
chavarriamj
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I agree with CaliduckPro it's a matter of preferrence. When they work they work well. I don't agree that people who use them don't know how to call. Phil Robertson uses several in his spread, I know because I have hunted with him. I don't think many people on this website can call as well as he can including my self and I am not bad. It's what you choose to use as a tool to get ducks in close. I have used them on ocassion but I prefer jerk strings.
Colusaduckhunter
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It's kind of like Dickens' Tale of Two Cities....
I know a lot of hunters that are truly great callers and they would never go out with at least one Robo, if not two. I know a lot of idiot DHWW's that can't call because they are too busy loading more shells in their guns so they can shoot the mile high geese flying by, but by God they have two or three robos too!!!!
Which leads me to my point...Robo has almost become a commodity in present day duck hunting....you gotta have one to remain competitive, whether you have any real waterfowling skills or not.
My father, who is an incredible sportsman, has been duck hunting since he was 6 (started in 1944). He is not the kind of person who is swayed by fads or gimmicks, but he won't go out without Robo (homemade, of course!!). Knowing my dad's skills as a waterfowler the way I do, and the fact that he hates having to carry extra crap, that says a lot about Robo for me.
However, I believe that Cali is correct, as the season progresses it appears that they become less effective. If I am refuge hunting I find that I do better later in the season without Robo and just a smaller spread of dekes (say a dozen).
Robo....Don't leave home without it!!!!
I know a lot of hunters that are truly great callers and they would never go out with at least one Robo, if not two. I know a lot of idiot DHWW's that can't call because they are too busy loading more shells in their guns so they can shoot the mile high geese flying by, but by God they have two or three robos too!!!!
Which leads me to my point...Robo has almost become a commodity in present day duck hunting....you gotta have one to remain competitive, whether you have any real waterfowling skills or not.
My father, who is an incredible sportsman, has been duck hunting since he was 6 (started in 1944). He is not the kind of person who is swayed by fads or gimmicks, but he won't go out without Robo (homemade, of course!!). Knowing my dad's skills as a waterfowler the way I do, and the fact that he hates having to carry extra crap, that says a lot about Robo for me.
However, I believe that Cali is correct, as the season progresses it appears that they become less effective. If I am refuge hunting I find that I do better later in the season without Robo and just a smaller spread of dekes (say a dozen).
Robo....Don't leave home without it!!!!
CaliDuckPro
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I don't think it can be said any better than that guys
. I don't care for them, but I will admit that they can be an effective tool.
mouthcallinmatt1
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I don't need to shoot a duck that bad and I disagree.
It's lame that we would need to stay competitive with some DHWW that takes 4 of these things out and nothing else just so he can shoot working ducks at 70+ yards. Get some decoys, learn to call, and for God's sake build a good blind and stay hidden.
If the Phil Roberson's of the world use one that doesn't mean the rest of us should. The reason you see guys like him (& I like the man) using them is because they have clients that want to shoot ducks. And those clients hire people like him because they want to shoot ducks, not spend a day in the marsh. So he's going to do what he needs to, to get the ducks in their face. Sure we all want to shoot ducks but this whole business of using them to stay competitive is ridiculous. Like CaliDuckPro said, it's possible to have a good hunt even with these things near by.
I think there are 3 groups of people that use them.
DHWW's: Want a limit every time, looking for the quick hunt so they can get back home, rather not hastle with the basic mentioned in the first paragraph above.
Guides: Well I think I stated the case on why they will use them.
Your average to above avg. refuge hunter: To stay competitive with the DHWW's. If this guy didn't use them and had a 500 yard radius to himself...he would do just fine but for some reason feels like he needs an edge.
I'll deal with these things as long as they're legal. I'll tease anyone I know for using them because I think they are looking for the effortless way to get ducks. And I will never own one. Just my $.02
mallarditis
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Like everone said, sometimes they work sometmes they don't. The one thing I will say is they are excellent at getting a ducks attention. Atr times ducks will begin to work only to be flared as they get closer to ROBO. My advice is this. Get one with a remote so as the birds begin to work in closer you can shut it off. This works great to finish the deal. Robos can be effective but the key to getting ducks in will always be determined by how well you are covered up, how well you call(which alot of times means knowing when to NOT call) and decoy placement. It's always the fundamentals.
Schoettgen
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mallarditis
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Always a touchy subject. I would disagree Matt on a couple points. #1 using a robo does not make duck hunting "effortless" or ensure "a quick limit". I use one on occassion (usually on a very calm clear day) because it is an advance and enhancement to regular decoys. Where is the line when it comes to enhancing the advantage for the hunter? I'm sure when semi auto shotguns first came on the scene there was a similar debate. Or how about eliminator blinds that are spring loaded or molded decoys? Look at the decoys they used just 2 generations ago. If you showed those guys a G&H Super Mag they'd think limits would come without any effort just like people today feel the robo provides. The fact is the best hunters still shoot the majority of the ducks. Whether they use a jerk string (is there any real difference between a jerk string and a robo?) or a kite or balloons or any other gimick, you still have to be a proficient caller and understand decoy placement to be successful. Alot of people complain because they are mechanical but does it really matter? I'd have no problem not using them if they were illegal and in fact only use them occassionaly as it is but it's only one advancement of MANY in waterfowling that we all take for granted.
mouthcallinmatt1
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I know that. My point was, that is the reason that some guys use them, not that it actually ALWAYS makes it quick and effortless but those hunters might think it will.
I've heard your comparisons plenty of times and I don't think they are valid. I hope that we all agree that movement is a huge factor to any decoy spread. Sure I've shot ducks over completely still decoys but put some movement in them and it may (not always) help bring in more ducks. The SWD's are different. It's the mezmerizing affect of the spinning wing that attracts the ducks. Ducks follow other ducks that are landing somewhere and that is what it simulates. The original SWD wasn't even a "decoy" but a spinning blade. It didn't resemble a duck in any way except for the flashing effect that is given by a duck when it is landing. A ripple on the surface of the water (ie, jerk cords) doesn't bring as much attention from a distance as the flash of a SWD which is what they are attracted to.
You have to ask yourself, "Why have these things been studied so much"? I don't recall any other comparisons you made being studied and debated as has been the case of spinning wing decoys.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div>
Exactly! What will be next? A robotic duck that swims, takes off, and lands again. Sound crazy? Maybe not. That is exactly the point that was made to outlaw them and all battery operated devices so there wouldn't be any loop holes in the wording to allow some other technological advancement to appear that didn't have "spinning wings" but was just as effective. Your right, there is a fine line for enhancing the hunter's advantage and we can either wait for the anti hunters to bring it on or we can police ourselves and show that we really do care for the overall welfare of this resource. There is an element that is considered when allowing the use of items outside of the human body to take game be it the size of the guns we are allowed to use or the movement of a boat while shooting out of it...it's called "fair chase" and I don't know if this falls into that category but it is something to think about.
This is great, I love that we can discuss these things here and agree to disagree. Don't think that I am bashing people that use them occassionally, I'm just giving my opinion on what I've learned about them. Before I read more and more about this subject, I confess that I tried to make one myself out of a remote control car motor. I guess when it fell off the post and into the pond which killed it, the ducks were telling me "don't go there".
Good luck out there. We only have 1 month left...get out and hunt!
Colusaduckhunter
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Hey Matt: I know that you're just poking some fun at us robo "advocates", and I needed a little humor lift today at work. I think this is a debate that will go on for a long time. I agree with Eric that robo is an enhancement to your spread, and that what you do once the birds show interest in you depends on your skill level as a hunter. I also agree with Eric that I wouldn't be broken hearted if they outlawed the darned things.
This is only an anecdotal example, but on our club when robo first came out, we didn't have one for two seasons because we thought it was just a passing fad, and that our great spread of dekes and calling skills would be good enough. It wasn't. What happened was that 3 of the neighboring blinds had robos and the ducks wouldn't even take a look at us. The only time that ducks would come into our dekes was when the other guys weren't shooting that day. We finally succumbed and got a robo.
Matt, I know you shoot mostly in SoCal and maybe it's different shooting in SoCal than it is in shooting over cut rice in Colusa/Gridley, I don't know. I do know that when I am driving down a road through acres of cut rice, my eyes immediately track to the flash of robo. I have to believe the ducks do the same thing. When there's a zillion acres of cut rice, you definitely need an edge when everyone else has them.
Matt, I don't consider myself a meat hunter, but I do like to shoot a duck or two now and then. If robo provides me with an opportunity to do that, then heck why not???
I guess we will have to further this debate over a beer when I eventually get a pull for Wister one of these days!!! Have a Happy New Year folks!!!
Mallarditis, hopefully we'll see you this coming weekend??? I guess Delevan and LDC are out now! Bummer!!
This is only an anecdotal example, but on our club when robo first came out, we didn't have one for two seasons because we thought it was just a passing fad, and that our great spread of dekes and calling skills would be good enough. It wasn't. What happened was that 3 of the neighboring blinds had robos and the ducks wouldn't even take a look at us. The only time that ducks would come into our dekes was when the other guys weren't shooting that day. We finally succumbed and got a robo.
Matt, I know you shoot mostly in SoCal and maybe it's different shooting in SoCal than it is in shooting over cut rice in Colusa/Gridley, I don't know. I do know that when I am driving down a road through acres of cut rice, my eyes immediately track to the flash of robo. I have to believe the ducks do the same thing. When there's a zillion acres of cut rice, you definitely need an edge when everyone else has them.
Matt, I don't consider myself a meat hunter, but I do like to shoot a duck or two now and then. If robo provides me with an opportunity to do that, then heck why not???
I guess we will have to further this debate over a beer when I eventually get a pull for Wister one of these days!!! Have a Happy New Year folks!!!
Mallarditis, hopefully we'll see you this coming weekend??? I guess Delevan and LDC are out now! Bummer!!
Duck Fan
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I hunt the refuges from San Luis to Sac, and I see the motos each and every hunt. There are hunters that only use motos. I've witnessed hunters with up to 4 motos working and no other decoy. I've seen the VORTEX in action - spinning around with 2 moto ducks attached.....I've seen a circus atmosphere at Merced where every blind had at least one moto (except mine). I've been duck hunting for 40 years and certainly enjoy having an 'edge' to help me get some birds. But, the technology is moving faster than we can even begin to study the affect the technology will have on duck populations.
Those who use moto will most likely never prefer to see them go. And, those of us that wish they never were invented will most likely never change our opinion either. But it is my hope and desire that we will draw the line against these devices - and do so very soon.
If we do not, and continue to allow technology to go forward at light speed, I fear that we will wake up one day to a population that will then have enough support to limit our ability to hunt....all because we allowed technology to go unchecked.
I have written so many times on various forums and to DFG, CWA etc on this subject and I am sure we will debate it again next season. For now, it is legal and life goes on.
Those who use moto will most likely never prefer to see them go. And, those of us that wish they never were invented will most likely never change our opinion either. But it is my hope and desire that we will draw the line against these devices - and do so very soon.
If we do not, and continue to allow technology to go forward at light speed, I fear that we will wake up one day to a population that will then have enough support to limit our ability to hunt....all because we allowed technology to go unchecked.
I have written so many times on various forums and to DFG, CWA etc on this subject and I am sure we will debate it again next season. For now, it is legal and life goes on.
Colusaduckhunter
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This issue seems to be like the Duracell Bunny (ha! ha!)....
I hate to continue this saga...but I guess I just don't see all the doom and gloom that some say that these special types of decoys bring to our sport. Look at the harvest numbers at the refuges. Not everyone is limiting out gang, in fact very few are. But you know that just about everyone out there has a robo, jerk cord, wind kites or whatever the decoy du jour is. I was just at Sac a couple of weeks ago and drove through the closed zone and I saw a zillion birds, but the harvest numbers the weekend I was there were not stupendous by any means.
Yes, we have all this new technology, but folks, we are not slaughtering them by any means!! If the populations are declining, it's not from over hunting I am reasonably sure.
Personally, I like to travel easy and light when I go out, and robo is a big pain in the butt when you really think about it. Often times it seems like more of a hassle than anything else, i.e. dead batteries, bad bearings, bad drive belt, and so on.... but back to my previous post...my experience shows that when all of the guys around you have a robo or other device(s), ducks won't often give you a chance if you don't have the "bling-bling" out at the blind, and I don't care how good of a caller you are or how well you are hidden.
If you have a method or technique to combat that scenario, then I am all ears...
One final thought...currently the DFG disallows mechanically driven spinning wing decoys for the first part of the season and allows it during the second part. Without getting deep at all on how to set up a scientific survey (because I am an accountant, not a scientist), it seems to me that that's like comparing apples and oranges. We all know that the duck populations and hunting improves as the season progresses...so what does the survey really tell us?? Not much. Maybe a way to solve this debate once and for all is to split refuges for the entire season. One half hunts naturally the entire season with only standard decoys, and the other half hunts with whatever crap they can manage to haul out with them. Then maybe we would really see what's up. Just a thought.
I hate to continue this saga...but I guess I just don't see all the doom and gloom that some say that these special types of decoys bring to our sport. Look at the harvest numbers at the refuges. Not everyone is limiting out gang, in fact very few are. But you know that just about everyone out there has a robo, jerk cord, wind kites or whatever the decoy du jour is. I was just at Sac a couple of weeks ago and drove through the closed zone and I saw a zillion birds, but the harvest numbers the weekend I was there were not stupendous by any means.
Yes, we have all this new technology, but folks, we are not slaughtering them by any means!! If the populations are declining, it's not from over hunting I am reasonably sure.
Personally, I like to travel easy and light when I go out, and robo is a big pain in the butt when you really think about it. Often times it seems like more of a hassle than anything else, i.e. dead batteries, bad bearings, bad drive belt, and so on.... but back to my previous post...my experience shows that when all of the guys around you have a robo or other device(s), ducks won't often give you a chance if you don't have the "bling-bling" out at the blind, and I don't care how good of a caller you are or how well you are hidden.
If you have a method or technique to combat that scenario, then I am all ears...
One final thought...currently the DFG disallows mechanically driven spinning wing decoys for the first part of the season and allows it during the second part. Without getting deep at all on how to set up a scientific survey (because I am an accountant, not a scientist), it seems to me that that's like comparing apples and oranges. We all know that the duck populations and hunting improves as the season progresses...so what does the survey really tell us?? Not much. Maybe a way to solve this debate once and for all is to split refuges for the entire season. One half hunts naturally the entire season with only standard decoys, and the other half hunts with whatever crap they can manage to haul out with them. Then maybe we would really see what's up. Just a thought.
Duck Fan
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<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div>
The only way to combat that scenario is to eliminate them.
And, like you, I feel this has been beaten to death so many times...but have to ask a few questions:
Would you draw the line on mechanicals at any point? I ask because - as you said - people have to get one just to compete. Does that mean every year I have to buy a new mechanical decoy just to compete with everyone else? If the guy next to you had Vortex working, would you go out and buy one?
My point is not so much the moto, but what comes next. Perhaps I am old fashioned about the sport and will eventually have to either pony up the money and start bringing out the 'bling-bling' or stop hunting. I hate the idea that I have to buy what everyone else has just to get a few birds to work my way when everyone else is using them. We all can get birds without the mechanicals. And, I guess we all can get birds with mechanicals. But, my vote is to ban spinners...and any deke using battery power.
Happy New Year to All
The only way to combat that scenario is to eliminate them.
And, like you, I feel this has been beaten to death so many times...but have to ask a few questions:
Would you draw the line on mechanicals at any point? I ask because - as you said - people have to get one just to compete. Does that mean every year I have to buy a new mechanical decoy just to compete with everyone else? If the guy next to you had Vortex working, would you go out and buy one?
My point is not so much the moto, but what comes next. Perhaps I am old fashioned about the sport and will eventually have to either pony up the money and start bringing out the 'bling-bling' or stop hunting. I hate the idea that I have to buy what everyone else has just to get a few birds to work my way when everyone else is using them. We all can get birds without the mechanicals. And, I guess we all can get birds with mechanicals. But, my vote is to ban spinners...and any deke using battery power.
Happy New Year to All
Colusaduckhunter
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Hey Duck Fan:
I have to say bottom line, I have to agree with you. It wouldn't break my heart to see them disappear because I know that most of us don't really need that type of an enabler to be successful at hunting. We didn't need it before, we surely don't need it now. But they would all have to go away....kites, spinners, jerks, etc. And when they write the law it needs to be so tight that it is hermetically sealed!!!!!
I would love to see it go back to the old ways where you actually have to use your skills to hunt. I don't know if that's going to happen anytime soon...it's really anybody's guess.
Well, I have to go...gotta take my robo battery off the charger before it explodes (Just kidding!!!).
Have a great New Years everyone, and maybe I'll see some of you in NorCal...I am off for 10 days of pure duck huntin' pleasure!!!!
I have to say bottom line, I have to agree with you. It wouldn't break my heart to see them disappear because I know that most of us don't really need that type of an enabler to be successful at hunting. We didn't need it before, we surely don't need it now. But they would all have to go away....kites, spinners, jerks, etc. And when they write the law it needs to be so tight that it is hermetically sealed!!!!!
I would love to see it go back to the old ways where you actually have to use your skills to hunt. I don't know if that's going to happen anytime soon...it's really anybody's guess.
Well, I have to go...gotta take my robo battery off the charger before it explodes (Just kidding!!!).
Have a great New Years everyone, and maybe I'll see some of you in NorCal...I am off for 10 days of pure duck huntin' pleasure!!!!
