Mechanical Decoy Question

Jeremy · 12-18-2008, 09:20 AM

Here are the regs stating what you cannot do:

Hunt game birds with the use of
decoys powered by motor, battery, or

other self powered methods.

Would it be legal to use a decoy that had a hand wound spring on it that when you pulled a string the spring would be loaded and then would spin when the string was released. Im picturing the bath toys that have the pull strings on them. You pull the string and the wheels on the bottom of the toy spin for a while. Advantage over the current pull string decoys that are out there is that you pull the string once, and the wings spin for a while, instead of getting wing spin with every pull. In effect reducing the number of times and frequency that you are pulling the string???

sprigkiller09 · 12-18-2008, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeremy

Here are the regs stating what you cannot do:

Hunt game birds with the use of
decoys powered by motor, battery, or

other self powered methods.

Would it be legal to use a decoy that had a hand wound spring on it that when you pulled a string the spring would be loaded and then would spin when the string was released. Im picturing the bath toys that have the pull strings on them. You pull the string and the wheels on the bottom of the toy spin for a while. Advantage over the current pull string decoys that are out there is that you pull the string once, and the wings spin for a while, instead of getting wing spin with every pull. In effect reducing the number of times and frequency that you are pulling the string???

The key word is "hand wound"!! That makes it legal. I believe what is not legal is anything that is run off of something. Like a battery. If you are the one making it move it is legal.

Rbogus · 12-18-2008, 10:24 AM

Ever wonder why the cops can hunt people with remote controlled deer/elk but people can not use them to hunt deer/elk?

CombinationLicense · 12-18-2008, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rbogus

Ever wonder why the cops can hunt people with remote controlled deer/elk but people can not use them to hunt deer/elk?

Because the "gloves are off" when it comes to catching the scum called poachers. Nothing better to do today than stir the pot?

"CL"

Rbogus · 12-18-2008, 11:15 AM

No pot stirring here just a silly question.
Are you always this paranoid or just have nothing better to do?

Chesapeake · 12-18-2008, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeremy

Here are the regs stating what you cannot do:

Hunt game birds with the use of
decoys powered by motor, battery, or

other self powered methods.

Would it be legal to use a decoy that had a hand wound spring on it that when you pulled a string the spring would be loaded and then would spin when the string was released. Im picturing the bath toys that have the pull strings on them. You pull the string and the wheels on the bottom of the toy spin for a while. Advantage over the current pull string decoys that are out there is that you pull the string once, and the wings spin for a while, instead of getting wing spin with every pull. In effect reducing the number of times and frequency that you are pulling the string???

Jeremy,

I beleive what you propose would be legal, but would have some issues with operation. I think the mechanism would be too bulky, complicated, failure prone, and sensitive to corrosion to be reliable in the field.

Besides the spinning wing decoys we use today do exactly what you propose.

You pull the string and wind the surgical tubing. Then you relax on the the string and the tubing unwinds.

I think the problem is that the wind up toys coast and the wings on a decoy dont.

The mechanical output will match the mechanical input.

Try this:

Make a traditional style spinner with 3 modifications.

#1: The spring system needs to allow the wings to coast(hard part).
#2: Add a heavy flywheel to the axle.
#3: Add bearings to improve efficiency.

Pull the string and get the spring wound up. Then release the string and the momentum of the flywheel should keep the wings spinning for some time after the spring unloads.

You could ventilate the wings so they would create less drag and maybe coast longer.

I'm thinking the 1 way bearing system out of a fishing reel, or out of a bycicle hub may be things to think about for the coasting spring system.

spurcrazy · 12-18-2008, 02:25 PM

Is it really that hard to pull a string? I mean, what did you guys do to kill ducks before the spinner was invented? Not trying to be mean, it just seems like people are so desperate to kill a duck. Why not learn to "HUNT" better, smarter, effectively and more efficiently???

getting off my soap box now and hoping to land in a place where spinners never and still don't exist

daleysmith45 · 12-18-2008, 02:43 PM

I think he is saying that the less pulling of the string will be less of a distraction to the waterfowl

Fishalot · 12-18-2008, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spurcrazy

Is it really that hard to pull a string? I mean, what did you guys do to kill ducks before the spinner was invented? Not trying to be mean, it just seems like people are so desperate to kill a duck. Why not learn to "HUNT" better, smarter, effectively and more efficiently???

getting off my soap box now and hoping to land in a place where spinners never and still don't exist

The spinners are not a end all challenges to duck hunting item

. They are not 100% effecting all the time, just like any other duck hunting tool you have to learn how to use the tool and when to use it. If you hunt on a small pond or lake and there is little presure you really don't need one, if there is no wind on that same area you would do better with a spinner of jerk line.
If you hunt are public area and there is a lot of competition you need all the help you can get. I used to have the same additude as you and then I thought about the reality of the whole matter and lightened up.

Jeremy · 12-18-2008, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spurcrazy

Is it really that hard to pull a string? I mean, what did you guys do to kill ducks before the spinner was invented? Not trying to be mean, it just seems like people are so desperate to kill a duck. Why not learn to "HUNT" better, smarter, effectively and more efficiently???

getting off my soap box now and hoping to land in a place where spinners never and still don't exist

I have never hunted with a spinner (that i brought to the hunt), and didnt say it was hard to pull a string, i was just looking into what other options were out there. I just built one, but have never used it.

Chesapeake · 12-18-2008, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spurcrazy

Is it really that hard to pull a string? I mean, what did you guys do to kill ducks before the spinner was invented? Not trying to be mean, it just seems like people are so desperate to kill a duck. Why not learn to "HUNT" better, smarter, effectively and more efficiently???

getting off my soap box now and hoping to land in a place where spinners never and still don't exist

I would say having a spinner in your arsenal exactly meets this standard.

Why not learn to "HUNT" better, smarter, effectively and more efficiently???

arkansasbasser · 12-18-2008, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spurcrazy

I mean, what did you guys do to kill ducks before the spinner was invented?

Jerk string. And good calling. Still likethe spinner though. Have been rolling the same ideas around in my head about a string operated motor too. Just to take a lot of hand movement away.

Jeremy · 12-18-2008, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arkansasbasser

Jerk string. And good calling. Still likethe spinner though. Have been rolling the same ideas around in my head about a string operated motor too. Just to take a lot of hand movement away.

Whats the rule in arkansas? I know have seen arkansas specific spinners out there, feet color is different or something like that?

steelhead22 · 12-18-2008, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rbogus

Ever wonder why the cops can hunt people with remote controlled deer/elk but people can not use them to hunt deer/elk?

No.

arkansasbasser · 12-19-2008, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeremy

Whats the rule in arkansas? I know have seen arkansas specific spinners out there, feet color is different or something like that?

A couple of years back they banned any type of spinner, string or battery operated. Then last year Arkansas lifted the ban completely. So, any kind again. Guess the hunters raised enough stink.

Threemuch · 12-19-2008, 02:31 PM

Pull string spinner is the way to go. I think if you get into spring mechanisms, you are storing energy, and that isn't any different than a battery really. Although technically, all the pull string designs I have seen use a bungee or spring of some kind, so they store some energy, even if it is only to automatically rewind. Probably could push this argument in court.

I love spinners, they work great to get the attention of birds going elsewhere. Ignore the curmugeons who say that anyone who needs a spinner is a hack. They probably hunt private property that is planted with food. Pull string and a jerk cord in the same spread? Ripples and flapping? Deadly.

Not to hijack too far, but has anyone tried the new UV reflective paint on the white side of their spinners? I am going to do that as soon as I get my paint.