For three years, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s Decoy Adoption Program has been giving old decoys a new lease on life and sparking the interest of new hunters. Donated decoys are patched up and used in painting workshops, to be taken home or used in the AGFC’s mentored hunt opportunities.
“Decoy-painting workshops have always been a hit, and decoy-painting itself has a sort of cult following, even among nonhunters,” said Eric Maynard, assistant chief of education for the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. “So it’s a great way to draw people into the nature centers to learn more about hunting and fishing and why it’s important to continue these traditions.”
Donations are always welcome, and the state of the decoy is not important. A good quality spread of new duck hunting decoys can cost well over a hundred dollars, increasing the barrier-to-entry of the sport. Every decoy that can be painted and taken home for free makes it all the more affordable.
“All duck hunters have those old decoys that sat in the field a little too long that they don’t want to repair or repaint,” Maynard said. “Instead of them being thrown out or tossed in an old decoy bag in the corner of the shop, they can spark the interest of a new waterfowl enthusiast. You just have to give us a call or drop them off.”
If you’re interested in donating, email Maynard at eric.maynard@agfc.ar.gov, or call ahead and drop them off at one of the AGFC’s nature centers.
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