Lucky Duck - pull string

[Stein]

You haven't seen mine, it is money.  Every guy I have showed loves it.  Ducks couldn't care less unfortunately.

[CP]

Got the decoy today; it's better quality than I expected.  Comes with 2 sets of wings, one for wind mode, another for pull string mode.  But I do see 2 short comings right away:

1.  The string supplied isn't great; it will certainly break pretty quickly.  I'll replace it with something more robust. 

2.  Pulling the string rocks the mounting pole and it's bound to fall over after a few tugs.  The problem is the string pulls almost perpendicular to the pole near the top.  That exerts a large bending moment where the pole sticks in the ground.  I need to rig something so the force of the string reacts straight down, parallel to the pole.  Maybe an eye bolt.   

A couple small tweaks and it should work just fine.

 

[vandeman17]

Got the decoy today; it's better quality than I expected.  Comes with 2 sets of wings, one for wind mode, another for pull string mode.  But I do see 2 short comings right away:

1.  The string supplied isn't great; it will certainly break pretty quickly.  I'll replace it with something more robust. 

2.  Pulling the string rocks the mounting pole and it's bound to fall over after a few tugs.  The problem is the string pulls almost perpendicular to the pole near the top.  That exerts a large bending moment where the pole sticks in the ground.  I need to rig something so the force of the string reacts straight down, parallel to the pole.  Maybe an eye bolt.   

A couple small tweaks and it should work just fine.

Can't say anything to the string strength but as for the rocking on the pole, that is normal. With the pole down in the mud it's nothing to worry about 

[Stein]

I zip tied a 1/2" pvc conduit elbow (much longer and gentle sweep compared to plumbing pvc elbow) and ran the string through that.  It pulls underwater which is less leverage and no string visible.

I used old dacron line from a fishing reel.

[lokidog]

I zip tied a 1/2" pvc conduit elbow (much longer and gentle sweep compared to plumbing pvc elbow) and ran the string through that.  It pulls underwater which is less leverage and no string visible.

I used old dacron line from a fishing reel.

Sounds like a good idea. This would also solve the issue of the bird always having to face the blind.

[CP]

Field review:

It was very effective in pull string mode and once the wind picked up it was effective in wind mode as well, but ....

After about an hour in today's stiff wind both wings fell off.  Looks like the set screws backed off the plastic couplers.

[Stein]

 

Bummer, sounds like they didn't make any improvements over the durability issues with their normal wind decoy. 

[CP]

I think a couple drops of locktite will fix it up.

[Badhabit]

Just something to consider when deciding on new string for yourpull string. Dogs do get caught up in the strings from time to time. 100lb braid  that gets all knotted up is not going to break and could cut or injure your pup.  I use 25lb fire line. Monofilement has a shine to it and has spooked ducks.

[ballstothewaal]

I have both the lucky duck and the decoy dancer. Decoy dancer is nicer quality overall and easy to fix because of the open shell. always try and take extra parts because I have had broken rubber bands ruin a hunt! I have had trouble on really windy days with it because the wings can catch wind and fall off easily. The lucky duck is nice because its cheaper and lighter. The pull string is kind of a pain to fix if it breaks but still relatively easy if you have a screwdriver with you!

[CP]

The lucky duck is cheap enough that I can just bring an extra decoy or 2 instead of tools to fix it.  I reinstalled the wing couplers with some Loctite on the set screws and so far no re-occurrence of the wings falling off.