What should I do if wigeon circle but don’t land?

Decoy Setup Adjustments

When wigeon circle without landing, it’s often a sign that your decoy setup is too uniform or static. To address this, try dispersing your decoys over a larger area, creating multiple feeding stations with varying degrees of activity. For example, use 10-15 decoys in 3-4 clusters, each with a mix of males and females. This scattered setup will make your spread look more like a natural feeding ground, enticing the wigeon to land and feed.

Feeding Station Variety

In addition to a more dispersed decoy setup, create varying feeding stations within your spread. This can include different types of plants, such as grasses, aquatic vegetation, or grains, to mimic the diverse feeding opportunities available in natural wetlands. Use 2-3 different types of plants and place them in different locations within your spread, creating a more dynamic and appealing feeding environment for the wigeon.

Mobile Decoy Spreads

Another effective tactic is to create mobile decoy spreads that mimic the natural movement and feeding behavior of wigeon. Use a smaller group of 5-7 decoys and place them in a specific location, then move them to a new location every 10-15 minutes to create the illusion of a mobile feeding flock. This will keep the wigeon interested and engaged, increasing the likelihood of them landing and feeding.