Dale in a recent picture from Decoy Magazine

A Different Kind of Spring Break

Dale Dalrymple has always charted his own course; while most students flocked to Florida for Spring Break, he embraced the chill of Maine, relishing -20-degree weather.

A Childhood without Limits

When adults inquired about his ambitions in his youth, Dale's cheeky response was an unwavering "Nothing!" Preferring the freedom of the outdoors to traditional careers, he spent summers with his dog, King, exploring woods, fields, and trout streams. Hunting was always part of his life, and even early on, he began collecting hunting collectibles, starting with a misdelivered call-a crow call instead of a squirrel call.

Learning the Ropes

Ducks became part of his hunting repertoire only once he secured his driver's license; there were no ducks near his home. With a father who loved nature yet did not hunt, Dale's education came slowly and through trial and error.

Career Changes

After spending two years in the Army Engineers, Dale shifted to a Civil Service job focused on wildlife biology. Feeling the pull of nature, he left this secure role to open an antique shop in 1973, gaining control over his time but still needing to maintain the store.

The Birth of Dale's Decoy Den

Dale began featuring hunting collectibles like stuff decoys, fishing lures, and traps in his shop, which quickly became more popular than furniture. By October 1980, he transitioned to selling these sporting collectibles from home, officially creating Dale's Decoy Den. This shift allowed him to reclaim more time for hunting and fishing-his true passions.

Trendsetter in the Collecting World

Always a step ahead, Dale added fish decoys to his inventory long before they gained popularity. He even attended the first meeting to establish a national call collectors club, although he missed being counted as a founder due to timing. Nonetheless, he later served as President of the Callmakers and Collectors of America, helping to organize multiple collectors' organizations, including New Jersey's Hunterdon County Decoy Collectors Association.

Crafting His Own Decoys

As the market for old decoys became increasingly inflated, Dale began crafting his own. He developed a unique style, creating nearly 1,400 hollow cedar gunning decoys that work effectively and have garnered him awards in contests. Thanks to his flexible time, Dale indulges in more hunting than his friends, many of whom lead conventional, busy lives.

The Ideal Hunting Companion

Dale breeds German Shorthaired Pointers-not for shows or trials but as loyal, intelligent companions for hunting. His dogs thrive with his attention and enjoy active days filled with muck and briars, making them perfect for his lifestyle.

The Early Days of Call Collecting

Dale started collecting calls during the "B.B." (Before Books) era, spending countless hours on the phone searching for hidden gems. A big leap of faith led him to buy a collection sight unseen, which spiraled into forming enduring friendships within the collecting community. Dale believes in the integrity of call collecting but sees a need for increased honesty similar to that in the National Fishing Lure Collectors Club, especially as fakes plague the decoy market.

A Diverse Collector

Dale's collecting style is eclectic; if it resonates with him, he collects it-whether it's calls, stuff decoys, fishing lures, or memories tied to meaningful experiences. Ultimately, he prioritizes memories over material possessions, humorously stating if things ever overshadow the greater picture, he'd gladly return to a conventional job.