DETROIT LAKES, Minn. _ It may not be "Duck Dynasty," but a Detroit Lakes partnership has found its own small niche in the duck call business _ it allows hunters to put cremated ashes from their beloved hunting dogs into the duck call itself.
No, you don't get a mouthful of ashes whenever you blow the duck call _ Deadshot Custom Call Company uses custom high-grade acrylic resins and hermetically seals the ashes into the duck call, said co-owner, founder, and self-described "head quack" Brian Rubenstein.
The ashes are "only in the top collar of the call, not in the main body of the call," he said. "I wouldn't really want to be blowing on my dog's ashes ... but even if you did, they're like a rock."
Rubenstein, of Detroit Lakes, launched the company about a year ago.
"I literally can't keep up," he said. "This has exploded over the past three months."
An avid hunter, he was missing Haley, his yellow Lab and hunting partner for 13 years. Her cremated remains were just stored in a closet, and that didn't sit well with him. He considered scattering her ashes outdoors, but then she'd be gone forever. So he thought of a better way _ the duck call that became the Man's Best Friend model.
"I did a prototype a little over a year ago, I did a test product for friends and family _ it's complete heirloom quality, it lasts a lifetime," he said. "It kind of turned into a success."
So much so that he needed some help, and made a partner out of an old friend, co-owner and "head-honk" Wade Erickson of Fergus Falls, Minn.
"My partner is my best friend of over 23 years, we've hunted together for many, many years," Rubenstein said. "Our different personalities make it more of a success."
