Lost Decoy

[Cowboy15]

I know it's a long shot, but I figured it's worth a try.
While hunting last Sunday on the Chehalis Wildlife Area I lost a Dakota Decoys mallard drake. It got blown out in water too deep for me to reach it and got hung up in some brush. I tried to get it throughout the week, and as of Wed. the water was still too deep. When I went back this morning the water was low enough for me to wade out to where it was hung up, but it was gone. I figure someone must've picked it up sometime yesterday. I'm just getting started and don't have a lot of gear yet, so if you picked this duck up I'd sure like to have it back. Please send me a PM and we can figure out when to meet. Thanks!

[HaydenHunter]

Not trying to be a smart aleck, but if you don't have a way to retrieve your decoy in deep water what do you do when you sail a duck?

If you were closer to me I would give you one of my Dakota mallards.  I'm not particularly fond of them.  Hope you find your decoy.

[jagermiester]

Not trying to be a smart aleck, but if you don't have a way to retrieve your decoy in deep water what do you do when you sail a duck?

If you were closer to me I would give you one of my Dakota mallards.  I'm not particularly fond of them.  Hope you find your decoy.

Wow??
His dog probably retrieves ducks and not decoys. I think you owe him those Dakota Mallards for that judgey reply   

[dilleytech]

Not trying to be a smart aleck, but if you don't have a way to retrieve your decoy in deep water what do you do when you sail a duck?

If you were closer to me I would give you one of my Dakota mallards.  I'm not particularly fond of them.  Hope you find your decoy.

Solid point.

[vandeman17]

Not trying to be a smart aleck, but if you don't have a way to retrieve your decoy in deep water what do you do when you sail a duck?

If you were closer to me I would give you one of my Dakota mallards.  I'm not particularly fond of them.  Hope you find your decoy.

Solid point.

Which point? Hopefully not being particularly fond of Dakota because the first statement was 

[jagermiester]

Not trying to be a smart aleck, but if you don't have a way to retrieve your decoy in deep water what do you do when you sail a duck?

If you were closer to me I would give you one of my Dakota mallards.  I'm not particularly fond of them.  Hope you find your decoy.

Solid point.

Sorry Cowboy 15 

[Cowboy15]

A little more detail. I hunted the same area the week before and could easily wade anywhere out there. The water was between knee and waist deep. During the week the water came up. I saw that the water was higher when I got to the area the day I lost the decoy, but didn't think much of it. I set out the dekes, and after a half hour or so got hit with a really strong wind. The wind pushed the decoy out farther into the water. It wasn't until I went to get it that I realized how much the water had come up. I entertained the thought of borrowing a float tube to retrieve it (most likely the course of action I would have taken had it been a dead duck and not a decoy) but decided to wait for a couple days to see if the water would drop enough for me to get it. I knew it would be a long shot posting on here, and I also knew that I was opening myself up for criticism, but sometimes long shots pay off.

[HaydenHunter]

Hey man, I wasn't trying to criticize.  I hunted solo without dog or boat for a few years.  It was a legit question.  It really limited the shots I took on birds. 

If you get over to Eastern Washington / Spokane you are welcome to that decoy...and probably a few more.  Seriously.

[Dan-o]

 

[SuperX]

Next time bring a fishing rod with a treble hook and cast out to get the ducks and dekes that get away.  you can get a take-down pack rod / reel that takes up little room.  I bring a floating plug to avoid snags, it will pick up ducks fine, you may need to use a spoon or something to get decoy line.

[Cowboy15]

Thanks for the advice SuperX, I will throw one in on my next outing.

HaydenHunter, thanks for the offer on the decoys. Not having a boat or a dog has really limited the places I can hunt and the shots I can take. I will be looking for a small jonboat (possible even an inflatable pontoon) before next season. I haven't hunted ducks for six or seven years, and this is the first time I have really gotten serious about it. I'm learning a lot.

[67 Halfcab]

If your living arrangement and lifestyle permit it, I highly recommend getting a dog.  Working with a retriever while waterfowling is the best time I have had while hunting.

[dilleytech]

Next time bring a fishing rod with a treble hook and cast out to get the ducks and dekes that get away.  you can get a take-down pack rod / reel that takes up little room.  I bring a floating plug to avoid snags, it will pick up ducks fine, you may need to use a spoon or something to get decoy line.

This is what strategy I used to use before I had a dog as well. Helps to be pretty good at casting.

[HaydenHunter]

Hey Cowboy,

I have a buddy from this area who is doing a construction job up around Woodinville. Could provide transport for that decoy ( or a few) that I could give you to replace your lost drake mallard.  You ever get that far north?

[h2ofowlr]

Wal Mart has also marked down the Zink mallard decoys at their stores, if they have waterfowl gear at the one near you.  $20 a 6 pack of decoys.