As another Arkansas duck season comes to a close, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission is encouraging hunters to give their old decoys new life through its Decoy Adoption Program.
Now in its sixth year, the program has recycled more than 8,000 plastic duck and goose decoys, keeping them out of landfills while helping educate and inspire the next generation of conservationists. Hunters are invited to donate faded, damaged, or unused decoys by contacting Eric Maynard, assistant chief of education for AGFC, at eric.maynard@agfc.ar.gov
to arrange a drop-off.
“Most of the decoys we collect are cleaned, patched, and given a gray primer before being stored at an AGFC nature center,” Maynard said. The restored decoys are used in educational painting classes that teach participants about Arkansas waterfowl species and promote interest in hunting and conservation.
Decoys still in good condition are cleaned, sorted, and re-rigged for reuse in wetlands across The Natural State. AGFC partners with groups such as FFA and 4-H to provide these decoys to young hunters who may lack the resources to build a full spread.
The program also accepts additional hunting equipment, including goose socks, decoy bags, and calls, which are often used during mentored hunts and then gifted to participants.
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