Magazine: Alberta Outdoorsmen Issue: May 2004 Section: Product Review Page: 28-29 Author: Steve Chorney. Website: http://www.albertaoutdoorsmen.ca   The first time I used a Flapp'n Duck from OpenZone, I couldn't believe the hyponotic effect it had over northern greenheads. A group of us being muscled south by a slump in an Arctic weather system. Being late October, these birds had already been hammered at all fall and were especially cagey. Moreover, we were hunting big water, which is arguably the most difficult circumstance to decoy mallards, while absolute imbeciles gunning over stubble (most of the time), mallards can best be decribed as paranoid schizophrenics when hunted over H2O. Remote controlled, the wings of a Flapp'n Duck actually flap rather than spin like most other robo ducks are designed to operate. Exhibiting more true life form than similar motion decoys, the wings can be turned "ON" or "OFF" at the push of a button. Especially effective finishing birds, I found the Flapp'n Duck install unbelievable confidence on otherwise cagey mallards by simply engaging the decoy in short bursts or intervals. And when compared to other duck species - inlcuding everything from widgeon and teal to a variety of diving ducks like the esteemed canvasback and acrobatic bluebill - the results proved equally deadly. Operating up to a distance of 200 feet, the remote control helps save battery life and allows hunters to set up far enough so as not to be spotted by wary ducks. Likewise, the Handy-Switch is a multi-functional wireless transmitter (powerful enough to go through floors or walls) that can control two separate DC devices, turning each decoy "ON" or "OFF" simultaneously or individually. Made from floating decoy body, the Flapp'n Duck can be used on both land and water. In fact, the flapping motion actually causes a swimming action once the wings are activated, thus adding further movement to exhibit absolute realism. Another inception of Open Zone is the Glide'n Duck. Activated by wind rather than 6-volt battery power asa the Flapp'n Duck depends upon, the wings imitate a mallard fixed on landing. Braced to a pole with a free-spooling insert that allows the Glide'n Duck to face into the wind at all times by rotating in the socket, a directional fin beneath the decoy itself acts much the same way a keel does on a boat. The wings themselves come with small weights that simply clip into place, and can be slid up or down the wings undersides to exhibit a variety of wing actions. Each wing is fixed to the decoy body by means of two springs, an dit took countless hours of research-development and several trips between the US and China before exactly the right spring combination was finally achieved. Moreover, the wing design is created to perform with very little airflow, and the Glide'n Duck can be positioned one to two feet off the ground or water with its two-stage pole. Available as either a hen or mallard drake, this decoy proved to be so effective that Open Zone is currently working on a Glide'n Canada Goose model. In fact, I'm honoured to have been a part of its development as a consultant to gifted engineer and creator of the Glide'n and Flapp'n Duck concepts, my good friend Nelson T. of San Dimas, California. For further information, contact: www.openzone2000.com, Tel. (626) 573-9710