What is a Blackwater FUD®?

The Blackwater FUD® (Fold Up Decoy) is the result of a challenge to find the best decoy for game bird hunting in terms of versatility, ease of use, ability to attract game, and value for money.  The FUD® competes fully with the silhouette, shell, and full-body decoys, with functionality, less weight, and less bulk as its driving forces.  Field tested in Australia and capturing over 70% of the decoy market there, FUD's® are now available for the first time to Northern American hunters.

What are FUDs^® made of?
FUD^® head and body panels are manufactured from closed-cell foam laminated with an outer skin which is finished with a non-glare surface prior to application of our original artwork.  Color-coded ratchet rivets are used in four locations to secure the panels together and provide for continual adjustment for slackness over time.  A built-in metal stake, which doubles as a keel, keeps the decoy in an upright position and is adjustable to achieve multiple body postures for both floater and field use.  Click here to see a diagram of a FUD^®.

Are FUDs^®painted?
No.  We use the exclusive services of an award-winning artist to provide us with the best possible original artwork specifically created for hunting purposes.  Then, utilizing the most current digital technology, the image is printed on the outer surface of the decoy.  We are very proud to have Adam Grimm, winner of the Millennium Federal Duck Stamp competition and an experienced hunter, serve as our featured artist.  Click here to learn more about Adam and his artwork.

Are different head positions and postures available?
Yes!   With its adjustable head and pivoting stake/keel, FUDs^® are the only decoy offering the hunter an unlimited number of posture combinations within one decoy.  And our FUD^® goose decoy paks come in up to two different head poses!  FUDs^® can be set up in a variety of positions on either land or water, and can even be adjusted "on-the-spot" to suit the prevailing conditions and environment - no special tools required!  Click here to learn more about setting up FUDs^® in a variety of positions.

Do FUDs^® float?
Yes!  Although FUDs^® fold flat for convenient transportation and storage when not in use, they unfold into a three-dimensional, open-ended body that not only floats, but is self-righting, too.  The highly buoyant foam material along with the metal keel keep the decoy afloat and upright.  The hollow body allows wind and waves to easily pass through the decoy, preventing it from blowing away or capsizing.  This unique design also allows for more freedom of movement on the water, resulting in a more realistic ride.

How much do they weigh?
FUD^® decoys are among the lightest decoys produced, weighing less than a third of normal floaters.  Even the FUD^® goose decoys weigh less than one pound!  However, hunters must also consider the anchor when evaluating the total weight of their rig.  Due to the construction and materials used for the FUD^® decoy, the size of the anchor required to maintain its position in the water is far smaller than conventional decoys.  The result is a decoy so lightweight that you can now carry many more decoys than before with much less effort!

What is a FUDslinger™?
FUDslingers™ are heavy duty metal hooks specifically designed for use with our FUD^® decoys to create a "hands-free" carry system.  Electrostatically coated for protection, they easily attach onto your belt or jacket, and can accommodate 12 to 18 decoys each, which attach to the FUDslinger™ with the built-in metal stake/keel.  Since they allow FUDs^® to be carried on the sides of your body (on the hips or below the arms), you will be able to move freely to your destination.  And since your decoys are always at your fingertips, FUDs^® can be deployed "on-the-spot" as location and conditions require, eliminating the need for advance scouting.

How well do FUDs^® withstand harsh conditions such as wind, waves, and ice?
FUDs^® are in a league of their own here.  The hollow front section allows wind and waves to pass through the decoy, preventing it from blowing away or capsizing.  The stake is self-righting, keeping the decoy in an upright position and reducing the need for adjustment after deployment.  FUDs^® can also absorb stray shot and still continue to float, and are unaffected by freezing temperatures.   Since the foam material doesn't harden and become brittle when exposed to the extreme cold, you can even break a FUD^® out of the ice with a mallet without causing any harm to the decoy.  Now that's durable!

How can I maximize my FUDs' performance in windy conditions?
FUDs^® have been designed to respond to the slightest breeze, giving you a moving set.  In wind and waves, there are two styles of setup recommended to properly deploy your decoys to combat the elements.  By "chaining" your decoys into a line or by "necking" them as single birds, you should be able to present the most realistic appearance to any birds flying.  When chained together for use in strong wind, currents, or from sneak boats, FUDs^® will not pitch or roll like blow-molded plastic decoys as they don't have a full chest surface hitting the wind and waves front on, and the amount of anchor drag will be significantly reduced.  "Chaining" is simply taking the anchor of one FUD^® and dropping it through the pedestal slot of another, creating a line of decoys with a single base anchor at the start.  "Necking" must be used in harsh conditions and is recommended in all conditions for best response.  This practice brings the effective tie-off point further forward and higher up on the decoy, eliminating the sideward pressure on the FUD^® and greatly reducing the tendency to list in wind.  To "neck" a single decoy, simply unwind your anchor and pass it over the neck of the decoy before dropping it into the water.  And to attain the best performance in harsh conditions, "looping" the line around the decoy's neck should be done in addition to the necking procedure.  This is especially true for the Canada Goose magnum decoys.  Create a loop by twisting the line and passing it over the decoy's head and onto the neck.  Click here for more details about these procedures.  

Do I have to put my FUDs^® together when I receive them?
No.  FUDs^® come fully assembled and ready to use with the rivets and stake already in place.  The only preparation might be to attach a string and anchor, if desired.  FUD^® decoys work best when used with our lightweight FUDanchors™ and FUDline™ anchor line, available as accessories.  When ready to deploy, all you need to do is unfold them, adjust the head and keel for the desired posture, and toss or place into position.

How do I fold my FUDs^® for use?
Preparing your FUDs^® for use in the field is quick and easy.  Simply follow the instructions below for deployment in a variety of environments.  Click here to see how to fold your FUDs^®.

What species are FUDs^®available in?
FUD^® decoys are available in a full range of species, including confidence decoys.  These include Mallard, Black Duck, Bluebill, Blue Wing Teal, Green Wing Teal, Gadwall, Pintail, Widgeon, Wood Duck, Blue Goose, Canada Goose, and Snow Goose.  Click on an image below for a larger view.  Contact your local dealer for current in-stock availability of species.

Mallard	Black Duck	Blue Bill	Blue Wing Teal
Green Wing Teal	Gadwall	Pintail	Widgeon

Wood Duck	Blue Goose	Canada Goose	Snow Goose

What kind of accessories are available?
In addition to our FUDslinger™ carry hook, our lightweight FUDanchors™ and nylon braided FUDline™ are also available as accessory items for use with your FUDs^®.  FUD^® decoys work best when used with FUD^® accessories.  (Click on the images for a larger view.)

	The FUDanchor™ is typically lighter than conventional decoy anchors (1.4 oz. for duck anchors and 4 oz. for goose anchors) and produces minimal drag.  It is essentially flat, allowing for storage within the body of the decoy, and works great when "daisy chaining" decoy spreads.  Just like the stake/keel and FUDslinger™, our anchors are machine stamped and E-coated to protect against corrosion.
	Our FUDline™ is a lightweight, premium braided nylon anchor line that will improve the performance of your FUDs® by reducing drag.  At only 1.4 mm in diameter, this strong line winds tightly around the stake/keel for flat storage.  FUDline™ comes in forest green and is sold in 150 ft. lengths.

How much do FUDs^® cost?
FUDs^® are sold in 3-paks, 3-Pak Kits, 6-Pak Kits, and dozens.  Pricing is as listed below.  Detailed pricing and online ordering information are available at www.duckdecoys.com.

Where can I buy FUDs^®?
Click here to learn where to buy FUDs^®.