I made a portable perch for dove decoys

[jerp]

I make some hunting related gizmo almost every year that my leasemates make fun of me for - this may be it for this year! A portable decoy tree!
I like using decoys but often you can't find a suitable tree - and when you do they can only be placed as high as you can reach. I wanted to make something light and portable that would get them up where they'd be visible.

*One 10' top rail used in chain link fencing
*One top rail sleeve
*One 2' piece of 1 1/4" PVC (HD sells these pieces)
*Two 48" garden stakes
Less than $20 - not including decoys

I cut the top rail into two 5' pieces for easier transport. Using JB Weld I permanently attached the sleeve to what will be the top end of the bottom section. I drilled a hole in the other part of the sleeve so it can be secured with a bolt and wingnut


I drilled two holes through the PVC for the garden stake "perches" - one near the top and one 16" down. The cotter pins and eye screws will keep the stakes from spinning in the hole, resulting in upside down decoys.
(there's really no reason to paint it but I had the paint hand so why not?)

In the field the bottom section can be slid over a long stake or wired to an existing fencepost. The PVC just slides over the top piece of top rail putting the dekes 10-12 feet up. The whole thing comes apart and fits in an old tent bag.

Presenting "El Arbol de la Muerte!"
(imagine it on a fenceline next to a sunflower field instead of my front yard)

Will it work? Will doves swarm to it like bugs to a porchlight, silencing the laughs? Or will it go in my ever-growing "silly and failed project file?" Stay tuned, I'll report back in September

[Tubby]

looks good (even if it is in your front yard ). Might have to try to build something like this myself. Thanks for the info!

[Texas Grown]

Top that puppy with a Mojo dove and I bet ya won't have any complaints from the dove, except when they hit the ground

[marshman]

Nice...do you tap the bottom section into the ground with a hammer? Just wondering cause some fields the ground may be hard in Sept.

[jerp]

Top that puppy with a Mojo dove and I bet ya won't have any complaints from the dove, except when they hit the ground

Good idea - a little movement oughta bring'em in in!

Nice...do you tap the bottom section into the ground with a hammer? Just wondering cause some fields the ground may be hard in Sept.

In the picture I zip-tied it to one of those lightweight U-posts which should work - but for the spot I have in mind I will secure it to an existing fencepost

[lotsofshots]

I've done the same thing with the mojo on top...unbelievably effective. Get ready and have plenty of shells.

[scotty]

Very nice! It's on my to-do list now.

[Skinny]

Very cool...gunna have to make one of those. I already have a MOJO Dove and know how great that works, so this will make it that much better.

[TXArrowSlinger]

Nice build.......hope it works good this season.............keep us posted!!!!!!!

[rainbow trout]

Very nice job!! that will work for sure! Is it true doves like to perch facing the wind? My dad swears if their not facing the wind it wont work, so he finds the side of the pond which is facing the wind. (?)

[Ouch]

looks good (even if it is in your front yard ). Might have to try to build something like this myself. Thanks for the info!

This coming from a guy that laughed at me for building one.


Jerp: I made one of these several years ago, and it works. End of story. I've shot plenty of birds trying to light in the "branches".

I used cane/bamboo for the limbs. Looks fairly realistic.

[wpcattleco]

That's a good idea. Thanks for the tip.

[postman]

Facing the wind....probably true, because they, like aircraft, land into the wind.

[courtatlawjudge]

great idea

[wooduck1954]

Keep us posted