Dakota’s Packable Mallard Decoys

Dakota Decoys are a product of the Midwest and Missouri River Valley.  Bill Willroth, the owner of Dakota Decoys and an avid hunter and media personality orchestrates their design and development.  His show The Grind is a great way to learn and enjoy waterfowl hunting. 

I first started hunting over Dakota decoys several years ago because all my friends used them, and we all agreed they looked and functioned great.  Recently, at a waterfowl show, I could not resist buying a dozen of their packable Mallards. Per their website: “Dakota Decoy’s virtually indestructible Packable Mallard. These new decoys are constructed of 100% soft EVA plastic. The decoys are lightweight, collapsible, and packable for those who must carry their decoys into the honey hole!

Dakota X-treme Packable Mallard Floaters feature flocked drake heads and come packaged 3 drakes and 3 hens. They have a weighted keel and are 17” long (1 lb 7.8 ounces). These lightweight/packable decoys take realism to a new level, and make that walk-in honey hole an easy target!”

For those of you using Dakota Ex-treme Mallards, these packable decoys are cut from the same mold. They are beautifully detailed and realistic. The keel is strong and durable and provides for two decoy line attachment points. 

Dakota’s Packable Mallard Decoys
You will find that deflating these decoys easily allows two dozen in a 12-slot bag.
Dakota’s Packable Mallard Decoys
In the marsh, lake, or river these decoys have a very realistic look and great motion on the water.

The painting is really impressive with all the details that you would expect in a Dakota Decoy.  Things like the trim and speckling on the hen’s bill, each feather with contrasting detail, and a bold speculum.  The Drakes as well have detail across the bill and that distinct ring on the neck.  Coloration is consistent and realistic.

Dakota’s Packable Mallard Decoys
The hen is an outstanding mold with excellent detail and color.
Dakota’s Packable Mallard Decoys
Up close you can see the great paintwork and attention to detail.
Dakota’s Packable Mallard Decoys
The Drake is no less beautiful than the Hen.  Again, attention to detail in the paint and molding.
Dakota’s Packable Mallard Decoys
The keel is functional and rights the decoys every time.

Realism is what we strive for in our spreads and a few dozen of these packed into your favorite honey hole puts on a real show.  The idea of packable and realistic is accomplished with Dakota’s Packable Mallard Decoys.

Dakota’s Packable Mallard Decoys
A good comparison photo of both drakes and a hen.
Dakota’s Packable Mallard Decoys
The half dozen comes with two versions of the Drake.

While we have discussed the weight, I would be remiss in not discussing the volume.  By that, I mean these decoys can be deflated.  Squeeze the air out and wrap the decoy with the decoy line and you can get two dozen in a 12-slot bag or as many as you can carry in a backpack.  Once on-site, they easily fill with air and quickly return to their original shape.

Dakota’s Packable Mallard Decoys
The inflator is functional but required a slight learning curve to inflate and push in the plug.  Once in, the plug is secure.

Ex-treme Dakota Packable Mallards per 6– MSRP $79

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About the author: David R. Vaught, Ph.D. began hunting waterfowl at a young age due to his father being a waterfowl biologist for the Missouri Department of Conservation. Today he hunts both public and private waterfowl grounds and is always working on something related to waterfowl throughout the year. He loves to turkey hunt and fish for walleye and crappie in the spring. David is a university professor, holds an NRA Level II coaching certification and works with youth in trap and skeet shooting in the summer with his annual trap-shooting academy.

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