[DSO]

Was looking to get a little more water motion in my spread. Has anyone bought/used/hunted over the wonderduck paddle style decoys? They operate like a Mojo but sit on the water . Paddles splash the water simulating a moving/feeding duck. They operate on D-Cell batteries. Was wondering how they hold up and if there is decent battery life.

Thanks, Danny

 

[Jim Wetzler]

Danny,
We use both the pole mounts and the water splashers.
Wing speed isn't as fast as the mojo's, but unless you need to turn them on and offdue to geese, they work well.
I change battery's everyday just to be sure.
The folks at wonderduck are great to work with, BTW.
Make sure you work the pup around them so they are used to them.

Jim Wetzler

 

[DSO]

Thanks for reply Jim. I was wondeing what the deal was with the pole set up. Is it like a regular Mojo but with smaller wings? I will defenitely train the pup around it before we hit the field. I usually put out a full spread on land and on water and train so that there are no surprises. How is the water motion? Worth the $ or is a jerk string just as good?

Thanks again,
Danny

 

[dirtyrice]

I had two and wasn't real happy with them because the seals where the motor shaft came thru the side of the decoy wouldn't keep the splashing water out. every 10 min or so I'd have to go out and drain the water from my starboard listing decoy. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Guest]

I would have to agree with the last response, I wasn't overly impressed with them. First float in the water they worked fine, but performance after that was sporadic at best and I experienced the same problem with water getting in, and having to continually oil the inner shaft. Plan on buying some D cells.

 

[Dave Burton]

My partner has one and we love it. He sent it back this summer to get one of the motors fixed(it is about 9 yrs old) They replaced both motors with the new models. It is alot quieter and now takes two d cell batteries instead on one. I'm going to order one myself pretty soon. I've seen many a duck try to land right with it.

 

[Kenneth Niles Bora]

is a jerk string just as good?

Thanks again,
Danny

I am a big fan of the jerk string. I have been using the same one for a number of seasons. I have never had to send it in for repairs. I never have to charge it's batteries. I don't have to turn it off for Geese. It is very light weight and does not need it's own carrying sack. It works wet or dry. It is like a small rope so the dogs are already used to it. And I limit out on ducks as many times a season as anybody with a motor duck of any type. Late season I limit out even more better because I truly believe after a few weekends of the season the motor decoys flair birds off the other guys and they come right to me. An added plus is when things get slow you can entertain yourself petting your dog and jerking your string.
Ken Bora

 

[Steve Hamel]

A buddy of mine had a wonderduck way back when. Was never overly impressed with what they added to the mix. When we switched to Mojos the difference was astounding.

In low light conditions the mojos are like magnets to ducks. The birds will land virtually on top of them. Put the mojo on the X where you want the ducks to land. I've always experienced the opposite with geese. The few times I've used a mojo on a duck/goose field type set up, it's worked well on decoying ducks but seems to repel geese. You can turn it off if you've got a remote as geese are approaching.

With all due respect to Ken, when I'm duck hunting, I'm a little busy to be fooling around with a jerk string. One hands holding a shotgun, the other is holding a duck call, etc. etc.

The factory installed battery for a mojo lasts at least two full mornings of hunting. The biggest issue I have with the mojos is the added weight. If you're humping in equipment say a 1/4 to a 1/2 mile, the weight of 2 mojos when added to everything else is considerable.

Considerable, but usually well worth it ! JMHO

Steve

 

[dirtyrice]

Mojo's work fine during teal season and maybe the first weekend or two, after that you might as well wade out in your decoys drop your waders and moon the birds with your big white ass (or whatever color your ass is). Nothing says "this is a setup" midseason like a mojo. Thats my other 2 cents, now I'm broke.

 

[lablover]

Mechanical decoys do not work as well as corn, or wheat, or hog pellets. ;-)

 

[Kenneth Niles Bora]

With all due respect to Ken, when I'm duck hunting, I'm a little busy to be fooling around with a jerk string. One hands holding a shotgun, the other is holding a duck call, etc. etc.
Steve

hmmmph, I just wait for them to land. set down my coffee, pick up my gun, stand up (they lift off) shoot one or two, send the dog, sit back down. You should try that.;-) Now if all you do is pass shooting, well try setting up in a spot ducks like to set in.

 

[Kenneth Niles Bora]

Mojo's work fine during teal season and maybe the first weekend or two, after that you might as well wade out in your decoys drop your waders and moon the birds with your big white ass (or whatever color your ass is). Nothing says "this is a setup" midseason like a mojo. Thats my other 2 cents, now I'm broke.

ahhh a hunter who hunts allllllllllll season;-) oh, mine is kind of pinkish

 

[Tim West]

I am retiring all of my mojo's or whatever spinning wing decoy you want for Mallard Masters.

These things sit on the water and the wings spin for two seconds, off one second, then back on for two seconds, etc.

The wings have tabs on them that catch the water and spits it up in the air like a duck feeding. They work on three AA batteries and will go forever.

On land they also work because the decoy doesn't sink in the water and the wings don't hit the ground.

I have seen ducks literally try to land on it, and they don't flair from them like they do spinners on both land and water.

Macks has started selling them this year. The decoy used is a Flambeau with the concave bottom.

Great product.

 

[Gordy Weigel]

They had problems with the orginal Wonder Ducks taking on water thru the seals, this was at least 5 yrs ago. For a small fee, you could get those replaced with the updated verison.
There are now several different models of Wonder Duck. The "Tornado', produces the most water action. The Wonder Duck's are well made products, that do give nice water action. I have used them for years and have found them to be effective and easy to use and maintain. Very good warranty on the product.

 

[DSO]

Just got my mallard master pro in the mail. Was wondering how it holds up in bad weather. The motor is exposed on top of the decoy. Anyone?

 

[BHB]

I used a wonder duck for the first time last season on the fresh water ponds with some pretty good results. I'm pretty reluctant to use it on the salt ponds we hunt. I'm afraid of what that salt will do to the metal.

I've seen the mallard master used in a spread of a buddy of mine. If the spread was put out differently I think it might get a little more attention from the ducks. He has some odd ways that he thinks the spread should look and will not change from it.

Otherwise I might just follow that Texan's advice and leave the Mojos at home after the first couple of weeks. I think I'll keep my pants on though... Heck, just the thought of that guy Bora out there with his pink one showing might be enough to keep me at home! LOL

BHB

 

[Udder Brudder]

Do'nt forget sweet taters either

 

[Tim West]

the only problem we have had with Mallard Masters is when it's so cold that they ice up.

They are pretty durable. The motor is sealed and we've used one for two years guiding and that's pretty much every day use. You do have to be carefull with the wing device and remove it and put it in your blind bag.

The batteries last a long time, but I don't like the fact that there is no on/off switch. It just starts when you put the battery in.

We call them "tricky" and we bought two more this year to add to our original. I look forward to not having to haul in spinners this year. We'll just use the Mallard Masters.

The ducks truly do try to land on them.