Dale’s Decoy Den has been a trusted source for hunting and sporting collectibles since October 1980, when Dale Dalrymple traded in his antique shop for something he loved even more: decoys, calls, books, and everything connected to a life spent outdoors. What started as a side interest in his antique business quickly became the whole show, and Dale’s Decoy Den was born.
Dale himself is no ordinary dealer. He’s carved somewhere around fourteen hundred hollow cedar gunning decoys by hand, each one built to actually work on the water rather than just sit on a shelf. He served as President of the Callmakers and Collectors of America, and helped found some of the earliest regional decoy collectors’ clubs in the country, including New Jersey’s Hunterdon County Decoy Collectors Association. When he’s not carving, buying, or selling, you’ll likely find him in the field with one of his German Shorthaired Pointers, dogs he breeds himself for temperament and a genuine love of hunting, not for the show ring.
That background shows up in everything Dale’s Decoy Den carries. Our hunting books cover sporting literature new and out of print, organized alphabetically by author so you can browse titles across waterfowling, upland game, retriever training, and decoy carving history. If you’re searching for a specific title and don’t see it listed, give Dale a call; chances are good he can track it down or already has a lead on where to find it.
Our vintage duck and goose calls reflect decades spent around the call collecting community, back when Dale wore out phone lines trying to track down a single collection. Today we carry calls across a range of makers and eras, alongside our hand-carved duck decoys, each one built the same way Dale’s always built them: to actually hunt over, not just display.
For collectors and shooters alike, we also carry fine shotguns, including Grulla Custom Shotguns, which Dale’s Decoy Den proudly imports, along with select Ruger and Taurus firearms. Our shotshell box collection appeals to a slightly different kind of collector, one drawn to the graphic design and history of vintage ammunition packaging as much as the shooting sports themselves.
Sporting art rounds out our collection, featuring signed, limited-edition prints and original paintings from respected wildlife artists, the kind of pieces that capture a moment in the field or on the water rather than just decorate a wall.
Before Dale’s Decoy Den existed, Dale ran a general antique shop starting in 1973, restoring and delivering furniture like any other dealer. It wasn’t until he started stocking decoys, fishing lures, and traps alongside the furniture that he realized what he actually wanted to sell. Those sporting collectibles outsold everything else in the shop, and by 1980 he’d left the furniture business behind entirely to focus on what he loved.
Everything we sell today still reflects that same shift: eclectic, knowledgeable, and genuinely interested in the story behind each piece, not just the sale. Dale’s Decoy Den operates out of Albany, Ohio, by appointment only, so you can browse and ask questions without feeling rushed.
We’re located at 32210 McGinnis Rd in Albany, Ohio, and welcome visitors by appointment so Dale can spend real time with each customer rather than juggling walk-ins.
Ready to see what we have in stock, or looking for something specific? Call or text Dale directly at 740-698-5060, or reach out by email at dalesdecoy@yahoo.com. We look forward to hearing from you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Where is Dale’s Decoy Den located?
A: Dale’s Decoy Den is located at 32210 McGinnis Rd in Albany, Ohio, and operates by appointment only.
Q: Do I need an appointment to visit?
A: Yes. Dale’s Decoy Den is by appointment only, so Dale can spend real time with each customer rather than juggling walk-ins. Call or text 740-698-5060 to set up a visit.
Q: What kinds of items does Dale’s Decoy Den carry?
A: Dale’s Decoy Den carries hunting and sporting books, vintage duck and goose calls, hand-carved duck decoys, fine shotguns including Grulla Custom Shotguns, Ruger, and Taurus, vintage shotshell boxes, and signed sporting art prints and paintings.
Q: How can I contact Dale’s Decoy Den?
A: You can call or text Dale directly at 740-698-5060, or send an email to dalesdecoy@yahoo.com.
