collapse

Advertisement


Author Topic: Lost Decoy  (Read 4303 times)

Offline Cowboy15

  • Trade Count: (+5)
  • Tracker
  • **
  • Join Date: Jan 2015
  • Posts: 66
  • Location: Elma, WA
Lost Decoy
« on: January 17, 2020, 04:11:56 PM »
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!

Offline HaydenHunter

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Hunter
  • ***
  • Join Date: May 2007
  • Posts: 149
  • Location: Idaho Panhandle
Re: Lost Decoy
« Reply #1 on: January 19, 2020, 05:30:09 PM »
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.

Offline jagermiester

  • Trade Count: (+1)
  • Longhunter
  • *****
  • Join Date: Sep 2009
  • Posts: 868
  • Location: Burien
  • My family is my life
Re: Lost Decoy
« Reply #2 on: January 20, 2020, 09:55:47 AM »
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   :chuckle:
Lead em if they're running.

Offline dilleytech

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Sourdough
  • *****
  • Join Date: Jul 2014
  • Posts: 1462
  • Location: Columbia gorge washington
Re: Lost Decoy
« Reply #3 on: January 21, 2020, 01:34:55 PM »
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.

Offline vandeman17

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (+9)
  • Explorer
  • ******
  • Join Date: Jul 2007
  • Posts: 14117
  • Location: Wenatchee
Re: Lost Decoy
« Reply #4 on: January 21, 2020, 01:37:07 PM »
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  :tdown:
" I have hunted almost every day of my life, the rest have been wasted"

Offline jagermiester

  • Trade Count: (+1)
  • Longhunter
  • *****
  • Join Date: Sep 2009
  • Posts: 868
  • Location: Burien
  • My family is my life
Re: Lost Decoy
« Reply #5 on: January 21, 2020, 01:41:07 PM »
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  :bash:
Lead em if they're running.

Offline Cowboy15

  • Trade Count: (+5)
  • Tracker
  • **
  • Join Date: Jan 2015
  • Posts: 66
  • Location: Elma, WA
Re: Lost Decoy
« Reply #6 on: January 21, 2020, 02:51:25 PM »
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.

Offline HaydenHunter

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Hunter
  • ***
  • Join Date: May 2007
  • Posts: 149
  • Location: Idaho Panhandle
Re: Lost Decoy
« Reply #7 on: January 21, 2020, 09:16:37 PM »
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.

Offline Dan-o

  • Global Moderator
  • Trade Count: (+24)
  • Explorer
  • *****
  • Join Date: Jul 2010
  • Posts: 16716
Re: Lost Decoy
« Reply #8 on: January 21, 2020, 10:34:33 PM »
 :tup: :tup:
Member:   Yakstrakgutp (or whatever we are)
I love the BFRO!!!
I wonder how many people will touch their nose to their screen trying to read this...

Offline SuperX

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Longhunter
  • *****
  • Join Date: Dec 2007
  • Posts: 503
Re: Lost Decoy
« Reply #9 on: January 22, 2020, 08:02:08 AM »
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.

Offline Cowboy15

  • Trade Count: (+5)
  • Tracker
  • **
  • Join Date: Jan 2015
  • Posts: 66
  • Location: Elma, WA
Re: Lost Decoy
« Reply #10 on: January 22, 2020, 10:46:38 AM »
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.

Offline 67 Halfcab

  • Political & Covid-19 Topics
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Tracker
  • **
  • Join Date: May 2012
  • Posts: 81
  • Location: Shelton
Re: Lost Decoy
« Reply #11 on: January 22, 2020, 11:35:28 AM »
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.

Offline dilleytech

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Sourdough
  • *****
  • Join Date: Jul 2014
  • Posts: 1462
  • Location: Columbia gorge washington
Re: Lost Decoy
« Reply #12 on: January 22, 2020, 01:40:47 PM »
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.

Offline HaydenHunter

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Hunter
  • ***
  • Join Date: May 2007
  • Posts: 149
  • Location: Idaho Panhandle
Re: Lost Decoy
« Reply #13 on: January 28, 2020, 11:34:08 PM »
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?

Offline h2ofowlr

  • CHOKED UP TIGHT
  • Political & Covid-19 Topics
  • Trade Count: (+5)
  • Old Salt
  • ******
  • Join Date: Dec 2008
  • Posts: 9062
  • Location: In the "Blind"! Go Cougs!
Re: Lost Decoy
« Reply #14 on: January 29, 2020, 09:03:58 AM »
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.
Cut em!
It's not the shells!  It's the shooter!

 


* Advertisement

* Recent Topics

Let’s see your best Washington buck by high_hunter
[Yesterday at 10:31:08 PM]


Bearpaw Season - Spring 2024 by actionshooter
[Yesterday at 09:43:51 PM]


Walked a cougar down by MADMAX
[Yesterday at 08:31:53 PM]


Which 12” boat trailer tires? by timberhunter
[Yesterday at 08:22:18 PM]


Lowest power 22 round? by JakeLand
[Yesterday at 08:06:13 PM]


1x scopes vs open sights by JakeLand
[Yesterday at 07:29:35 PM]


Long Beach Clamming Tides by Encore 280
[Yesterday at 05:16:00 PM]


WTS Suppressors I Can Get by dreadi
[Yesterday at 03:30:33 PM]


SB 5444 signed by Inslee on 03/26 Takes Effect on 06/06/24 by Longfield1
[Yesterday at 03:27:51 PM]


Straight on by kentrek
[Yesterday at 03:04:53 PM]


2024-2026 Hunting Season Proposals by trophyhunt
[Yesterday at 01:51:40 PM]

SimplePortal 2.3.7 © 2008-2024, SimplePortal