Spinning Duck Feet

October 22, 2009

Question: I recently found a duck decoy that has spinning feet that splash the water. From what I understand, no motorized spinning wings or spinning blade decoys may be used for the first half of duck season. Would a decoy with spinning feet be an exception? It’s called the “Wonderduck Super Paddle Wheel Motion Duck Decoy.” (Mark V.)

Answer: There’s a wide variety of movement decoys on the market today. According to Northern Enforcement District Chief Mike Carion, wind powered decoys and decoys that vibrate, flap, wiggle or produce a motion other than spinning are all legal to use at any time, but decoys that feature any type of motorized spinning blade are prohibited before Dec. 1.

Your motorized decoy is spinning a blade-like device that just happens to be in the shape of a duck foot … so you’ll have to wait until December to use it.