Method for creating a decoy exhibiting realistic spectral reflectance

Abstract

A method of creating an animal decoy with a surface reflection which closely matches the spectral reflectance of the animal that it is designed to mimic, including both human visible and ultraviolet wavelengths, including the steps of measuring the spectral reflectance of different areas of the animal, creating a surface map of the animal showing the reflective characteristics of the different areas of the animal, formulating surface coatings or materials to match the measured reflective characteristics, and reproducing the spectral reflectance on a realistic model of the animal.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows the typical ultraviolet reflectivity patterns of two types of waterfowl.

FIG. 2 shows the ultraviolet reflectance curves given by the various body parts of typical waterfowl compared against the ultraviolet reflectance curves given by typical decoy coatings and materials found in the prior art.

FIG. 3 illustrates an ultraviolet imaging system used to determine the patterns and relative intensity of the UV reflecting area of an animal.

FIG. 4 illustrates a laboratory set up using a UV-Vis spectrophotometer to determine the quantitative reflectance curve across the spectrum of the animal vision system.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the process of creating animal decoys exhibiting realistic UV reflections.

Claims

1. A method of creating a visually realistic model of a specific animal, comprising the steps of measuring the spectral reflectance of different areas of the animal, creating a surface map of the animal showing the reflective characteristics of the different areas of the animal, and reproducing the spectral reflectance on a realistic model of the animal, whereby the realistic model can be used for the deception of animals.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of measuring the spectral reflectance of an animal comprises using ultraviolet photography or videography.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the surface map of the animal shows both the human-visible and ultraviolet components of the spectral reflection.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the surface map of the animal shows the human-visible and ultraviolet components of the spectral reflection as a UV-Visible spectroscopy line graph, graphing percent reflectance against wavelength.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of reproducing the spectral reflectance on a realistic model of the animal is the application of coatings or materials designed to match the spectral reflectance of the animal.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of using the spectral reflection measurements of the animal to formulate coatings for use in making decoys.