After a long (and hopefully successful) season of duck hunting, your duck decoys are undoubtedly covered in mud and dirt. Before you take on the task of storing your decoys, it’s imperative to wash them. Cleaning your decoys can be as simple as spraying them off with a water hose and then wiping them down with a paper towel. However, many experienced hunters caution against using soap, as it can leave an unwanted shine on the finish. Once your decoys have dried off, be sure to place them in a decoy bag and store them in a dry area. You can avoid wasting a lot of time and money by cleaning, bagging, and storing your decoys properly.

The following are some additional ideas you can use when clean and store your decoys so that you can reuse them in future hunting excursions.

One you’ve cleaned and bagged your decoys, search throughout your home to find a clean, dry storage place for them. Damp decoy bags will always attract mildew, and will often tear and become thread-bear over time any damage.

Keep the rodents away. Since decoys and decoy bags can provide a perfect home for mice, it’s a good idea to avoid storing them in the cold, damp, areas of your home, such as the garage and basement. If you must store decoys in the basement, be sure to hang them on the wall where they can’t be reached. Also, be sure to secure all weights to each decoy property in order to avoid any tangles.

It’s essential to take good care of all your gear—especially when it comes to decoys. If you follow the above guidelines, you’ll be able to get more use out of your decoys, saving you lots of money in the long run. Also, if you have any extra decoys around the house, you can always donate them to a rookie hunter. People who are new to duck hunting are always glad to pick up some new gear without spending any extra money. It may sound like a lot of work at first, but it’s always a good idea to clean and store your decoys properly so that you can use them on future hunting trips.

About the Author 

Justin Sieverding has spent most of his life hunting waterfowl in South Dakota and throughout North America. Justin has a true passion and vast experience in everything related to waterfowl hunting including decoy spreads, bird patterns, scouting, and calling.