Wa. battery dekes illegal

[Perfect Drift]

Now that battery operated devices are illegal in Wa.
I am not a pre-battery duck hunter, what methods were used before motors were put into dekes to give them motion?
I'm looking for good quality methods to give the dekes movement.
Has Ore. gone to no battery devices as well?
I understand fair chase but --- this sucks.
No, I don't have a robo-duck, just shakers.

[Zen Leecher aka Bill W]

I've got one at home, used only once, that I bought in December before the season closed.

Now it's illegal.

Some people tied strings to floating decoys and "swam" them in the water in years past.

[Lured In]

Here are a few ideas that I have used and/or seen. The first is the "jerk cord" whick is simply a heavy sinker or two (depending on setup) that runs through the anchor line hole on the decoy and back to the blind. This can be great on calm days in good feeding water. At the very least it breaks up the service of the water. Some folks go so far as to complete tip the decoy vertical and paint the duck fanny white to get the flash.

Another method as Zen eluded to is the "swimmer" which can either be dragged through the decoys or attached via a returnable pulley on the other side. This way the decoy appears to swim across the water and then swim back. An old pull out close line pulley works good for this.

Last but not least, as shocking as it may sound, learn how to call. [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

Althoug I have used robo ducks over the last two years with varying degrees of success, the old addage location, location, location still holds true.

I haven't heard definitively about Oregon's ruling on the motorized decoy issue, but it appears to still be legal.

[ 09-18-2001: Message edited by: Lured In ]

[Dogfish]

The new Cabelas waterfowl catalog has a spring powered decoy for about $50. It is called a "Higdon's Finisher Flasher", page 20. It is a fancy "jerk line" decoy that flashes the wings just like a robo duck, but without the batteries.

Another option is to sink a coffee can anchor (coffee can filled with concrete mix, and an eye bolt for rope connection) and run a piece of decoy line through the anchor eyebolt to a decoy (attach to the front hole on the decoy), without an anchor. Run the other end of the line to your blind, and when the birds approach, you pull on the line, and it causes the decoy to tip up like a feeder, and makes additional water motion. This will cost you about $4.

I ordered one of the Hidgon ducks last week, and I will let you know how it works.

I have chased the quackers for 21 years, so if you need any more tricks, let me know.

Andy

[HarpMan]

In conversation with ODFW, there is no present discussions among the commission in regards to motion decoys powered or not. Many of the fly way commissions have expressed that they are not happy with Washington's ruling. Looks like Oregon's safe for some time. Mallard Machine all the way.

[Zen Leecher aka Bill W]

Well then.. I have one I'd sell to an Oregonian.

[blackdog]

Zen Leecher - if you are serious about selling yours, what brand do you have, how old, how much do you want, etc? You can send me an email if you would like. I am definitely interested.
Thanks,
Kevin

madisonkevin@hotmail.com

[Zen Leecher aka Bill W]

blackdog,

sending email to you.

Bill