Home >> Hobbies >> Birding

How to Make Dove Decoys

You can increase your hunting success if you use dove decoys to lure birds to shoot within close range. The fake birds are placed on the ground where real doves find food. The doves are tempted to the area and are easier for you to catch. Using decoys in an area that has grain or wheat is most effective, as real doves can have something to feast on while you line up your shot.

Things You'll Need

Stiff cardboard
Paints
Glue
6 x 8-inch long wooden sticks

Instructions

- 1
  Draw the outline of a dove or pigeon on the cardboard. Sketch a large oval shape with a thin rectangle protruding at an angle for the tail feathers. Add a small circle for the bird's head and a small triangle for its beak. The decoy should be the same size as a dove, approximately 10 inches in height.
- 2
  Cut out the bird outline. Make at least six decoys to put in the field. This is a "silhouette" decoy, as it is a two-dimensional.
- 3
  Paint the cardboard in traditional bird-like colors. Use a combination of light blue, grays, white and black so it is the same tone as other birds. Paint both sides of the decoy so it is colorful. Let the paint dry.
- 4
  Glue the length of the wooden stick to one side of the decoy. Allow 5 inches of the stick to protrude from below the feet of the bird, as this is the end that will be pressed into the ground so the decoy stands up. Let the glue dry.
- 5
  Attach one stick to each of the decoys.

Birding