There are many reasons why you may consider investing in a duck decoy sled. A sled can help to preserve your energy if you have larger duck decoys to carry around.
If you do not want to carry them around in a bag, with a sled you can pull them behind you instead regardless of the weather and terrain.
This may be trekking through water, grass, or snow. A sled has more uses than just carrying decoys, they can hold all of your other gear too which saves you having to carry it around yourself.
These decoy sleds can vary in price from those that are inexpensive and affordable to those that are considerably more expensive.
The best duck decoy sleds will be constructed using thick, high-quality plastic materials, with the capacity to hold all of the decoys and equipment that you need.
They will also need to be able to travel across all surfaces with ease.
We have chosen five of the best duck decoy sleds on the market and reviewed each of them below.
In a hurry? This is our winner!
- The reliable all-season polyethylene construction
- Tow rope included
- 44"L x 22"W x 9"H. Wt.: 6 lbs.
Best Duck Decoy Sled – Comparison Table
Best Duck Decoy Sled – Reviews
Beavertail Sport Sled, Marsh Brown, Small
Our top pick comes from the brand Beavertail, as a multi-purpose sled, it is great for carrying heavy loads as well as duck decoys. This roto molded constructed sled is made using 100% polyethylene making it rigid, stiff, and durable too.
It has no seams and is likely to be one of the most durable sleds that you will find. The long shape, aggressive leading edge, and a reinforced lip along the top allow for easy travel across rough terrain and water too.
There are three different sizes available, the largest size measuring 64″ L x 29″ W x 11″ D and this is larger than many other sleds available on the market, with the capacity to carry plenty of your gear and decoys.
Impressively this sled has been tested against extreme weather conditions to ensure that it is strong enough to withstand the freezing cold and extremely hot weather.
The bottom of this sled has been constructed with grooves and ridges for added strength and control but more stability too.
There is no denying that this sled has been built with quality as a priority, weighing 17 pounds, the largest size of this sled shows the quality.
If there is one downside to this sled it would be that it is prone to scratching easily particularly along the bottom. A sled becomes difficult to drag around when there are lots of scratches along the bottom.
Also, as a heavyweight sled, it can be difficult to drag behind you, especially with the added weight of your gear and decoys too.
Our final complaint is that it retails at a rather expensive price. However, for a quality sled, this price is definitely worth the investment.
- Constructed using thick materials, it is a very tough sled.
- There are three different sizes available and the large is much larger than some others available on the market.
- It is a single piece sled with a roto molded design.
- The aggressive shape makes it great for cutting through snow or mud and traveling along the top of water too.
- It scratches easily which can make it difficult to drag.
- It is a heavyweight sled.
Terrain Utility Sled
Our next choice is a great simple option that has been constructed from high-impact polyethylene making it sturdy and durable for dragging across the ground.
With a ribbed bottom, it travels along the ground easily and the long, heavy duty tow rope is sturdy enough to pull heavy loads too.
It is large in size so it is spacious enough to hold all of your gear and decoys too. Thanks to the tall sidewalls you can fit larger loads and stack your gear too if needed.
It is also ideal for many other uses too which may include moving firewood or building materials. Usefully this sled comes with a two-year warranty.
Even though this sled has been constructed using high quality materials, it is a little thin so isn’t the most practical choice for dragging over rough or rocky terrain, however, it will cope fine when traveling over water and snow.
Overall, it is an affordable, utilitarian sled.
- It is affordable and the cheapest product that we have mentioned.
- It is a decent size with the capacity to hold an ample amount of gear and decoys.
- It’s designed with a ribbed bottom which gives it added strength and stability making it much easier to drag.
- It is a little thin so it isn’t appropriate for all terrains.
Terrain Sport Sled D54 (Black, 4.5-Feet)
Next, we have chosen another sled from the brand Terrain, the sport sled is larger with even more versatility than the utility sled.
This one is designed for use over tougher terrain as it is longer in size. There are three different sizes available and each of these are ideal for carrying lots of decoys and any additional gear that you may have too.
It is constructed from polyethylene plastic and also has high walls for added stability and extra capacity.
With a ribbed bottom, it is much easier to drag across the snow or the ice. With molded ribbing, it is also stable when on the water as the design ensures that it isn’t going to tip over resulting in your gear getting wet.
Overall, it is a nice, thick sled that can hold a lot of gear, although we’d recommend that you avoid any contact with large rocks.
- Available in three different sizes there is a large capacity for holding all of your equipment and decoys.
- Made with sturdy Polyethylene it is strong enough to hold a lot of weight.
- The molded ribbed bottom gives the sled extra stability and grip so it can be dragged over rougher terrain with ease too.
- It retails within an affordable price range.
- The bottom of the sled isn’t suitable for rocky ground as it isn’t thick enough.
Shappell Jet Ice Fishing Sled, Large Heavy-Duty Multi-Purpose Utility Sleds for Hauling Fire Wood, Deer, Duck Hunting, Fishing Gear, Supplies, and Accessories
Our next pick is the Shappell Jet Ice Sled and although this is primarily made for fishing it works just as well as a decoy sled too. It measures 54” by 25” and it is also made from polyethylene plastic which is the same as the previous sleds we have mentioned.
Designed with tall walls you have the option to stack large loads which is helpful when you need to carry your own gear in there too. The strong rope makes it easier to drag heavier loads too.
Steering the sled, particularly over ice and snow is made easier thanks to the molded runners along the bottom.
This is an impressively strong and sturdy sled with a thick poly body that is strong enough to withstand heavy use. This Shappell sled has actually been designed to maintain its strength even when it is being dragged behind an ATV or a snowmobile.
It is sure to handle whatever it is confronted with when you are duck hunting too.
If there are two complaints that we have, the first would be the length of the rope. Ideally, it could be a little longer particularly if it is going to be used to tow behind vehicles.
Secondly, although the plastic runners are great, once they get scuffed or scratched the roughness along the bottom makes it more difficult to drag along the ground due to the extra friction.
Despite these minor issues, this is a strong and durable sled that is going to be great for regular use.
- It is good quality as it has been constructed out of thick polyethylene which makes it tough and sturdy.
- It is a good size with the capacity to hold plenty of decoys and gear.
- It has been designed with a strong tow rope which makes dragging heavier loads much easier.
- The rope could be longer, especially if you intend on using this sled for towing.
Shappell Jet Sled, Large Heavy-Duty Utility Sleds for Hauling Ice Fishing Supplies, Fire Wood, Deer, Duck Hunting, Fishing Gear and Accessories
Our final choice is very similar to the Ice Jet sled from this brand. This Shappell Jet Sled is made from polyethylene, which is strong and durable, along the bottom there are also molded runners for strength and stability.
The size of this sled measures 54”x25”x10”, so it is big enough for carrying plenty of decoys and all of your hunting gear too. Thanks to the tall sidewalls, you can also stack your gear if needed.
Not only does it perform great as a duck decoy sled, but it can also be used for moving firewood, deer hunting, and ice fishing too. Whatever, you find yourself needing to move this is great for the purpose.
Unlike the other products that we have mentioned this sled doesn’t have a black or ice body, instead, it has an all terrain camo print body, which allows it to blend into your surrounding environment effortlessly.
When it comes to issues that we pinpointed with this sled, due to the bottom of it being a little thin it isn’t very suitable for dragging through rocky terrain. Ideally, the rope would be better if it was longer too as this would make it a little easier to drag.
However, if you are looking for a sled that is going to float on water and is suitable for dragging through mud or snow this is a great choice as it is durable and also spacious enough for carrying all of your equipment and decoys.
Although it is a little pricey, we would definitely say it is worth your investment.
- It is constructed from sturdy polyethylene.
- The molded runners along the bottom provide stability.
- It is large and spacious so it can hold all of your decoys and gear.
- A longer rope would be ideal as it would make dragging this sled easier
- It is a little bit heavy so it may be difficult to drag over a distance.
Best Duck Decoy Sled – Buyers Guide
What should you consider before choosing a Waterfowl Decoy Hauler?
The size and storage capacity
The first and possibly the most important factor to consider is the size and storage that you require and this depends on the number of decoys and volume of gear that you will be carrying.
Do you need to haul and if so how large do you need the decoy hauler to be.
Sleds are generally available in all different sizes. You can find some as small as 18″ x 24″ and others which are larger and can be over 5 feet long.
It is necessary to size up the load that you will need your decoy to carry and then choose according to this.
The Build and Weight
Most good decoy sleds that are worth your investment are made from high quality polyethylene plastic as it is strong enough to withstand bumps and beatings and can be dragged along rough ground.
However, it is also light enough to float along the water when you are duck hunting. We would recommend that you pay particular attention to the thickness of the bottom of the sled because this is very important.
You will find many sleds that are made from this material but when it comes to the bottom they are too thin to be dragged along tougher terrains.
There are some issues with this heavy duty construction and this is because the sleds tend to be heavy with the larger sleds weighing around 15-20 pounds. This becomes problematic when it comes to hauling your decoy sled over a long distance or when you need to lift it to float along the water.
Despite this heavy duty construction this material generally tends to be sturdier and much more durable than plastic ones.
The Cost
For many people, this is very important. There are some good quality sleds available for around $20-$30 dollars. You may want to spend a little more for a larger sled or some people may want to splash out and invest in an expensive, top of the range sled.
If you are going to be using the sled regularly it is worth investing in a good quality product that retails around the $60-$100 price range.
Is a sled the correct carrier for my equipment and Waterfowl decoys?
This depends on the number of decoys that you intend to transport and also the terrain that you are likely to be travelling on. A sled is a great option if you have a lot of duck or goose decoys because they tend to be much more spacious than a bag.
However, they do lack compartments which makes them more unorganized than a hunting bag. You can carry bigger and heavier equipment in a sled.
If you are likely to be traveling across rough terrain then a sled isn’t going to be the best choice, however, if you are more likely to be traveling through fields and flat ground then they are a great option.
They are also a great option for hauling your gear during the winter weather as sleds are designed for easy travel through the snow.
Final Thoughts
We chose the Beavertail sport sled as our top pick. Constructed using high quality, thick polyethylene and with a single roto-molded design it is durable and built to last. With a unique shape, it can move with ease along rugged terrain and it floats easily on the water.
As it is available in three different sizes you can choose the biggest size if you require a larger capacity to hold all of your decoys and equipment. It could be a little lighter and it is quite expensive.
However, if this is something that you are going to be using regularly, it is definitely a worthy investment.
All of the five sleds that we have reviewed are going to get the job done when it comes to carrying your gear and decoys. We would recommend you choose one that you like, within your budget and then you can get duck hunting.