Jun 23, 2021
By SkyFly Decoys

Well, to begin this article. Here is a big question you may want to ask yourself:

Is it really worth my time to make a windsock decoy of my own?. The answer is NO if you take into account the time and labor you are going to spend in it. However, the sense of fulfillment when you get it done can not be priced.

Reading an article from a windsock decoy company, you may jump into the conclusion that we are trying to sell you our decoys or parts&accessories. Well, we are not.we recommend you to get parts from elsewhere if you are going to make your own decoys. 

STEP ONE: To start, it's best if you have a used windsock decoy at hand, disassemble it by cutting the sewing threads from inside to the top collar. Do not worry about accidentally cutting the tyvek. You are simply trying to get a panel of standard size&shape to follow.  After you take apart the windsock decoy, you get two panels of tyvek and one collar loop and two sets of grommets(used). The two shape-identical panels are the perfect thing you need when you start cutting tyvek. It's recommended that you cut out a thick&stiff cardboard with the panel under it so that the cardboard is the exact size and shape as the decoy panels. 

BUY MATERIAL AND PARTS: Now you need to get some tyvek, buy tyvek from your local stores, amazon or anywhere that sell tyvek at a reasonable price. Get the type of tyvek(Tyvek® Soft Structure) whose weight is around or below 50GSM(1.25oz/yd2). Do not buy those with weight above 50GSM. They are simply too thick, stiff and crisp, they will scare away the birds with the huge sound it makes when hit by wind. Home wrap tyvek is not good for making windsock decoys. Buy an entire roll in order to get a wholesale price. Re width, 60 Inches is best. You may wan to do a rough calculation as to how many windsock decoys you need to make and see how much tyvek you need to buy. 

BUY GROMMETS:  Get the grommets from local grocery stores or from amazon. Grommets need to be at least 3/8'' in inner diameter. Make sure that you get a grommet press with them, whethere it's a hand press or just a simple grommet punch setting die. 

BUY COLLAR TAPE: Get plastic strapping from a shipping material store or amazon. Make sure that they are at least 1/2'' in width.

CUTTING: With the tyvek you just bought and the cardboard you cut out in step one, you can start cutting decoy panels in bulk, roll out the tyvek, cut them in 2 yards or 3 yards or even longer each piece if working space allows. You can use a scissor(more precise) or a paper cutter. For the back panel of the windsock decoy, it's recommended that you puncture three draining holes in one line. Holes need to be at least 1/2'' in diameter so that water drains quickly in rainy days. 

PRINTING: Use a decoy stencil(snow/blue/juvy) and a black spray paint. You can buy the stencil from other decoy companies or from eBay. Put the stencil on the panels, make sure you aim close and precise when you start spraying. Let it dry for an hours or so before you start sewing them. 

SEWING: Well, this is a tricky part, if you have a sewing machine or your wife knows how to sew, you are all set. If not, I suggest that you find a sewing shop to do this. For a skilled sewing worker. It's an easy thing to do. We don't recommend glueing. Before you start sewing, please cut the plastic strapping in a length same as the one you got when you disassemble your used windsock deoy in step one. After cutting, you can glue the two ends of the plastic stapping or you can sew it so that it forms a nice circle. When you sew, face the printed side under, after sewing the two panels together, sew the circular collar tape in then place the windsock inside out. 

GROMMETING: We suggest that you puncture two holes on the collar tape part using a punch die or an electric drill or anything that does the job before you start pressing grommets, the holes should be slightly smaller than the grommets so that they don't fall off. The two grommets needs to be in one vertical line, one on top and one on bottom. This is for the stake to go through.

If you are already on this step, the windsock decoy part is all complete. Now you need to think of something for the stake and backbone. I have some suggestions:

STAKES: Fibreglass stakes, metal rods or even wooden dowels all work. 24’’ length is great and 26’’ is even better. If you are looking to hunt over shallow waters, make them 34’’. Stake sharpening is not quite necessary even if you are hunting on frozen grounds. A portable electric hand drill will work like magic.

BACKBONES: Making your own collapsible backbone can be extremely tricky, it’s a complicated mechanism. However, we recently noticed that some company is using heavy duty cable ties as backbones. It’s not a perfect option but it works. It keeps up the windsock a little under no-wind condition. To keep the backbone in position, use a rubber ring to hold it. Or cut rings out of a rubber tube.

 

With the stake and backbones set, you now have a completed working windsock decoy of your own!!! Make as many as you need.

You are welcome to contact us with any questions you may have. 

And you are welcome to share this article to others. Please quote the source as SkyFly Decoys and the url:

https://www.skyflydecoys.com/blogs/make-your-own-windsock-decoys