Wooden Counterfeits

[Greg Baehman]

I thought I'd start a thread for forum members to show us some of their collection of wooden counterfeits.

Many here have an interest in decoys, some here are even serious collectors. Tastes and styles vary. I have an eclectic collection that varies from antique gunning decoys to contemporary duck decoys, songbirds and raptors. I'll start it off with a pair of King Eiders carved by Paul Dittman from Wisconsin . . . now let's see some of yours!

[Gary Cripps]

Greg and others a friend has a web site with pictures and identification of Wisconsin decoys. May be of interest. wisconsinsportingcollectables.com

[Dennis Yager]

J. Ahearn

http://parkerguns.org/forums/picture.php?albumid=766&pictureid=9341

[Rick Losey]

as far as "collection" I have a few- mostly factory, wildfowler, Ken Harris and a few unknowns

pretty basic selection - I'll get some pictures

but--- does cork count? - they are not vintage - but here are mine at work

http://parkerguns.org/forums/picture.php?albumid=588&pictureid=8499

http://parkerguns.org/forums/picture.php?albumid=588&pictureid=8497

http://parkerguns.org/forums/picture.php?albumid=588&pictureid=8498

[Rick Losey]

here is a well worn one - any one have any ideas of origin

i thought this one was a bit unusual and brought it home in spite of the condition -how many times did a sleeper merganser get used to wear the paint off. thought it deserve to retire to under a lamp

http://parkerguns.org/forums/picture.php?albumid=767&pictureid=9334

[Rick Losey]

how about a couple other unknowns - no marking at all

this one - to me at least - has a bit of a Stratford Ct look to it- but I'm far from really knowing what I am talking about with vintage blocks- unfortunately- looks like some paint was added- as with many i get - i liked the head shape

http://parkerguns.org/forums/picture.php?albumid=767&pictureid=9330

and this one in a total unknown - maybe just the product of someone carving his own-
has just a couple pellet strikes - so it was used before sitting some place where it got a very few white paint splatters - I liked the head and thought the body well done- its cork, but well sealed before painting

http://parkerguns.org/forums/picture.php?albumid=767&pictureid=9338

[John Dallas]

Those are both great birds. I like the heads and overall lines

[James J. Roberts]

I collect the old working decoys ducks geese & shore birds mainly the east coast,any decoys from Maine down to the Carolina's now have 75 decoys finding them is the most fun. J.J.

[Greg Baehman]

I collect the old working decoys ducks geese & shore birds mainly the east coast,any decoys from Maine down to the Carolina's now have 75 decoys finding them is the most fun. J.J.
Well, by golly . . . let's see 'em!

[Rick Losey]

another view of that first black duck

http://parkerguns.org/forums/picture.php?albumid=767&pictureid=9339


and a Wildfowler magnum black

http://parkerguns.org/forums/picture.php?albumid=767&pictureid=9331

[Rick Losey]

ok guys - i could keep going for a bit

but lets see some others


I see mine all the time :rolleyes:

[Greg Baehman]

Green Wing Teal pair by Ben Shostak of New London, WI

[Gary Cripps]

A few.
A Trudel hollow Coot

A Paw Paw Green Wing

An Evans Red Head from Ladysmith, Wi

A Voight made from Cameron, Wi. Came with a SBT last year

[Greg Baehman]

That Coot is too cute!

[John Dallas]

Two pix of birds in my cabin.
The first has a Madison Mitchell goose which has never been in the water. It is set on a pedestal of 3" Winchester shells
Second is a nasty black duck which I bought because of the unique keel/weighting arrangement. The bird has two screw eyes on the bottom flanks with a v shaped piece of rod holding a thimble sized piece of lead, In the stored position, The thimble is pocketed into the floor of the decoy, and held in place by a screen door hasp. Guaranteed to be self-righting.

The two right hand birds are attributed to a St Claire Flats carver named Budgeon St. Pierre. Repaints which were owned by my best friend's Dad.

In the second picture are a pair of Mallards I carved, (Cedar bodies, basswood heads) and entered in a working decoy competition. They were the first birds taken out of the tank, but they are still mine

[Greg Baehman]

Wolf River Woodies sculpture by Thomas Tyers of Oshkosh, WI

[Rich Anderson]

While at an antique store over the weekend there was "an early Mason" decoy that was a Canvasback. I asked to look at it then saw the price $875:eek:

[Rick Losey]

Which model

Better model. Glass eye & very good paint.

Might not be out of line

[Rich Anderson]

It didn't mention any particular model and I don't recall if it had glass eyes or not. I know that a Mason decoy can bring big bucks but this wasn't in that good of condition. There was another Mason there for under $200.

[Rick Losey]

Yeah. Not a mason collector. But I know there are several grades. Each finished better than the last. And then with in the grades there is rarity to be concerned with

So a rare bird in a better model will command a price that might seem out of line to the "uninitiated". Serious decoy collecting is like serious gun collecting


Better know your stuff

[Greg Baehman]

It was a very cold day in November when a friend and I were set up in a shore blind on the Colic Slough off Wisconsin's Wolf River. The winds were blowing hard, the grey clouds were moving fast and skim ice was forming along the shoreline when a small flock of seven Green Wing Teal came screaming over the trees from behind and swooped down low over our blocks out in front of us. They kept right on a-goin' never to be seen again. But, it was that sound . . . oh, that sound . . . of the wind swishing and rustling through their wings and feathers that only a duck hunter can appreciate. Those sights and sounds are forever etched in my mind.

It was THAT DAY, it was THAT SIGHT and it was THOSE SOUNDS that inspired me to ask Robert Mitchell of Ashville, NC to carve these GWT flyers. Each and every time I look at them I relive the moments . . . I hope it never ends.

[George Lang]

A few years back $875 would have been a "low ball" price on any decent Mason block. Rick you would be surprised and how many merganser dekes were used for whatever reason. When I was making and selling decoys the most I sold were Blacks & Mallards followed by Brant and then Mergansers. While collecting for a longggg time I have noticed that Mergansers(shelldrakes on LI) always brought good money, especially among women buyers/collectors. Rick your 2 black ducks are great examples and the heads are definitely Shang Wheeler Connecticut style. Very nice finds.

[Rick Losey]

thanks George

i do have one brant - a wildfowler in pretty good paint

http://parkerguns.org/forums/picture.php?albumid=767&pictureid=9333

and this is one of my favorite geese

http://parkerguns.org/forums/picture.php?albumid=767&pictureid=9329

folks on the duckboats,net seemed to lean towards it being by Jimmy Bowden

[Phil Yearout]

These are a little different...

first, a good ol' barnyard pigeon decoy; gunning those ol' flying rats gotta be some fun...

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w109/prairieschooner/Hunting/photo%202_zpsrnzke4sy.jpg

next, a starling decoy; ditto...

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w109/prairieschooner/Hunting/photo%201_zpsfzxykpml.jpg

both carved by William W. Headrick and shot over, he says, by himself, Pop Headrick, and one Michael McIntosh.

Then, a yellowlegs flattie, also by Bill...

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w109/prairieschooner/Hunting/photo%203_zpsmmcxqtcg.jpg

and lastly, a tinnie, c. 1874-81...

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w109/prairieschooner/Hunting/photo%204_zpszwxa7fb3.jpg

[Greg Baehman]

Two life-size carvings standing guard over my Parker Bros. D-Grade toplever Hammergun. The Redtailed Hawk and Peregrine Falcon are poised to scratch and claw the eyeballs out of any nefarious intruder with ill intentions.

[charlie cleveland]

sure is some nice decoys you fellows have...i ve got my dads old mallard decoys he hunted the hurricon marsh with thes decoys in the early 1950 s...no makers name on them made out of some kinda light wood they do have glass eyes....charlie

[James J. Roberts]

Here are a few pics of my decoy collection to be continued.
JJ Roberts

[Gary Laudermilch]

I'm not a duck hunter any more and am certainly not a decoy collector. However, my wife came home with a decoy she thought handsome as a bit of decor. It is signed:

Redhead
W. Wandelt
Baldwin
L.I. NY

Can you guys tell me anything about it?

[George Lang]

Some pictures would help.

[Gary Laudermilch]

I should have known better. Here you go. It is 14" long x 7" wide and seems heavy to be a working decoy.

[Craig Larter]

I have been collecting decoys for 40+ years way before vintage SxS's. I collect NJ shore carvers, Delaware River carvers and Bert Graves (circa 1920'-1930's) from Peoria one of the top Illinois River carvers. A few pictures of a sampling of my Graves Decoys. Enjoy!!

[James J. Roberts]

Garig,Thanks for sharing your decoys,hope to see more.:cool: J.J.

[Rick Losey]

the photography is nicely done Craig

[Craig Larter]

A few more
Graves Black CJC brand
Dan Englsh Black
Jess Heisler Sleeper
Rhodes Truex Black
HV Shourds Black
Jess Heisler Black

[Greg Baehman]

A couple of Woodcock. The first was carved by Thomas Tyers. The flyer was carved by Robert Mitchell and shown with a custom Fox.

[Rick Losey]

it was a duck hunting weekend in the antique shops- found an old Pennsylvania Game Commission waterfowl ID book- with nice reproductions of what seem to be watercolor paintings of the various species- i thought about taking it apart to frame some - but its in too nice condition to break up. and got the contact info for a J. Eugene Hendrickson swimming black duck that seems to have never seen water - so- may go for that one soon

a couple other odds and ends - but found this lathe turned hen mallard - i assume Victor or Pascagoula (but the speculum is off for those i think) - obviously the base is not original - paint is old - but i am curious if its original or someone dressed it up for display - looks to have been never used and was a display piece out of an estate of a banking family, the name with the decoy was the son of the founder and president of the bank in the early 1900's - not sure yet when he passed - but the bank's webpage states he and the rival bank's president (the two merged during the depression) were great hunting partners.

anyway- looking for opinions - seems like fancy paint job for the lathe style decoy - it has glass eyes - and I already had a very similar drake in great paint that had been lightly hunted - so the two will shelve as a pair

http://parkerguns.org/forums/picture.php?albumid=767&pictureid=9350

http://parkerguns.org/forums/picture.php?albumid=767&pictureid=9351

[Greg Baehman]

I've been informed that this is a Victor Animal Trap decoy. It has its original paint and I believe that it has never been in the water. Almost looks like it could be the mate to your hen Rick, although yours appears a little snakey and has more detail in the paint.

[Rick Losey]

thanks Greg- that is a very clean example- still has the neck ring - most i see are missing the putty used to cover the joint

but, look at the speculum on yours - not too long and the back white line is at a steep angle and for the Pascagoula examples i see on line they almost come to a V

the hen I have has a longer patch and parallel lines - much like the drake I have does (he has a few dings- but is pretty good for his age)

http://parkerguns.org/forums/picture.php?albumid=767&pictureid=9352

on my two -drake's tail comes to a point and is a little thinner top to bottom- the hen's tail is a little more rounded -


not to get too deep in the weeds on something as mundane as a lathe made decoy- but I love a mystery - and this gentleman was known as a serious hunter and lived just down the road from where I gun- might I be in his footsteps when a big drake comes over? :rolleyes:

[Greg Baehman]

Here's another a decoy with provenance . . . from the rig of Conrad Sundeen is this Wood Duck Drake carved by Jim Slack of Pekin, IL. Mr. Sundeen was the proprietor of Von Lengerke & Antoine sporting goods store in Chicago.

[Rick Losey]

from this weekend's rambling
not high end - but i like the factory "field grades"-- sort of like most my guns

Wildfowler geese ( bearing the Point Pleasant NJ stamp) a low and higher head with pretty good paint (the setting sun broke through just in time to cast an orange glow :rolleyes: )

http://parkerguns.org/forums/picture.php?albumid=767&pictureid=9483

http://parkerguns.org/forums/picture.php?albumid=767&pictureid=9482

[James L. Martin]

Not working decoys but nice, got them quite a while ago. The Loon by John Penney is real nice.

[Greg Baehman]

I just love both Greenwing and Bluewing Teal, but the litte Bluewings are my faves . . . here are a few from my collection:

[Greg Baehman]

The Mrs. & I, along with Winston, have a 15' Thompson Bros. Guide Boat that we like to putt around with on Northern Wisconsin lakes viewing lakeside cottages and wildlife. Virtually every lake will have at least a pair or two of Common Loons on it. The Loons provided the inspiration for this carving.

[charlie cleveland]

very nice birds.......charlie

[John Dallas]

Not wooden - These are cork bodied, Basswood head Greenwing drakes I recently completed for my rig. Bluewings leave our area during the first week of the season, but the greenies stick around, I don't shoot the greenies, but I sure like to see them zooming in like little fighter planes

[Rick Losey]

Very nice John

With the bump in black duck limits this year I have some cork blocks that I just sealed


I will post some pics in the next week or so once they are wearing their paint


here is one still neeked :rolleyes:

http://parkerguns.org/forums/picture.php?albumid=767&pictureid=9529

[Dave Purnell]

This is the highlight of my very small collection. It's an Ira Hudson Bluebill. It was a gift from an uncle when I graduated from college. When he was a young fellow he bought a string of working decoys from Ira Hudson himself. In his older years he enjoyed taking them one at a time to auction at the Wildfowl Festival in Easton, Md, and then telling me all about it.

[John Dallas]

Rick - Great looking bird. It looks like the tail plate is inlet half way through the body. Interesting

[Rick Losey]

Rick - Great looking bird. It looks like the tail plate is inlet half way through the body. Interesting

yes - I may tone that down in future ones- but that was the way it was in the old pattern sheet I had - a 1/2 cedar tailboard way into the body -

a 1/4 lag screw goes through that tailboard into the back of the keel ( the dowel from the head ties the front together) - it may be overkill- but it sure as heck should hold up to use :)

and won't show much when painted

[John Dallas]

Same design as mine, but my tail boards are only about 2 1/2" long

[Rick Losey]

Same design as mine, but my tail boards are only about 2 1/2" long

agreed - our carving of the body is the same style

the pattern I used was from an old boxed set of full sized plans for working decoys I found in an antique shop by a Charles Murphy - big pattern sheets I think will eventually look great framed in the shop. there are 6 different birds in the set - i have a set of heads cut out for woodies - they are next

http://parkerguns.org/forums/picture.php?albumid=767&pictureid=9531

http://parkerguns.org/forums/picture.php?albumid=767&pictureid=9532

[John Dallas]

I've shown them before, but my birds now have one season under their belt, and will get wet next week
http://parkerguns.org/forums/showthread.php?t=15031&highlight=cork+decoys

Looking at the draketail curls, I saw a neat trick by using black fiberglass strapping tape which is used to strap stuff onto pallets. It's about the right width, and if you heat it, and bend it to shape, it looks great. Not sure of it's durabilty, however

[Rick Losey]

neat John

this will be the second year for my mallards as well, unfortunately they and the new blacks have a month to wait for getting out

http://parkerguns.org/forums/picture.php?albumid=588&pictureid=8497
http://parkerguns.org/forums/picture.php?albumid=588&pictureid=8499

[charlie cleveland]

them decoys look like the real deal..very nice scene....charlie

[Rick Losey]

two pairs of blacks ready to go for into the rig for the new two bird limit-

http://parkerguns.org/forums/picture.php?albumid=767&pictureid=9550

http://parkerguns.org/forums/picture.php?albumid=767&pictureid=9549

[Greg Baehman]

In the spirit of Black Ducks and those of Charles & Edna Perdew here's my Po' Man's Perdew counterfeited by Charlie Moore of Illinois.

[Kirk Pfeffer]

Love the forum and Parkers but typically there's nothing I contribute. At least I can show a deke I carved.
Kirk

[Kirk Pfeffer]

And another

[John Dallas]

Well done. Gotta love those baldpates

[Rick Losey]

Very nicely done

[Kirk Pfeffer]

Thanks! The widgeon was the first deke I ever entered at a competition in Ocean City, MD. Got DQd when it didn't self right. Also neck is too long and looks alert instead of relaxed. Live and learn.
Kirk

[John Dallas]

The only competition I ever entered, mine was the first bird out of the tank, not because it didn't right itself, but because it was ugly (and hasn't gotten any prettier sitting on a shelf in my cabin)

[Greg Baehman]

A trio of small raptors -- a Northern Saw-Whet Owl, an Eastern Screech Owl and a Kestrel:

[charlie cleveland]

those are really nice....charlie

[Kirk Pfeffer]

+1
In fact all the dekes in this post are nice. I've always had a liking for the antiques. I've carved a few fakes and I like the challenge involved in aging them. Using period correct nails, shooting them and trying to simulate decades of wear is an art. There are some who have mastered it but of course there methods are closely held secrets.
Kirk

[Greg Baehman]

A pair of decorative Green Wing Teal carved by M.G. Hopkins of Halifax, Nova Scotia

[Greg Baehman]

There's a-whole-lotta-character in this little character . . . and a-whole-lotta-clatter on the trout stream, too.

Belted Kingfisher hen, carved by the late Tom Beardsley of Fond du Lac, WI

[Greg Baehman]

It's now mid-November and ice is forming over our Northcentral Wisconsin lakes. There are now a couple of small flocks of these late migrating Buffleheads that have stopped off on the yet open areas of Lake Wausau to rest on their way thru . . . we'll see them again just after ice out in early Spring.

[Russell E. Cleary]

Styrofoam?.

Not a decoy collector, but 30 years ago I found these and a few others one Spring, after the high water, ice and wind had swept over a Martha's Vineyard pond and receded. The pond's shoreline used to be a remote area, with an old-time duck camp. But, by 1987 that camp had been turned into one of the many Summer cottages that then rimmed the shoreline.

As for the unfinished head: that decoy survived headless; so I carved a new head for it. Had never carved anything before, nor since.

Not collector-grade -- synthetic, beat up and probably shot up. But, they would still have a story to tell, and I like them.

[Mike.Smith]

This guy sat on a shelf in my parents house for years, and I recently acquired him through some downsizing of "stuff" as they consider a move to the beach. I never gave the decoy much thought until seeing this thread. I know nothing about it, but a quick Google search turned up some interesting info on Miles Hancock. My Dad grew up on the Eastern Shore, so I'll have to find out how my Grandfather came by this one.

Mike

[Rick Losey]

another addition to the "factory" collection-

a brant by Harold Hamon of Delaware - although the maker was not really a factory - it seems he was a prolific maker, this one looks to be unused although its one of his earlier ones due to the wooden instead of plastic head. one aside in the story, the decoy was labeled as a goose, when i showed it to my wife she said "but isn't that a brant?" a real waterfowler's wife :rotf:

I've never hunted brant, but when i saw the price, i figured the canada goose decoys wouldn't mind the company


http://parkerguns.org/forums/picture.php?albumid=767&pictureid=9938

found this about the maker

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKLQfQTpQ9A

[Greg Baehman]

With the 1st sighting in 2018 of a Robin in our yard, albeit at a bird feeder and in the midst of a 10"+ snowstorm, I thought it apropos to post this carving of a male Robin carved by Steve Quiram of Hudson, IL. Steve comes from a long line of Illinois River style of carvers. I believe he really captured the essence and attitude of the bird in this wooden counterfeit.

If one looks closely, you can actually see him hear.

[charlie cleveland]

that robin looks real a great piece of carving....charlie

[edgarspencer]

These were too inexpensive not to buy, and I really liked them. They remind me of some Masons I used to have, which were swiped by my sister. The guy who had these insisted they are of CT origin. I'm sure I couldn't say but Rick, you may have a better handle on the subject.

[James J. Roberts]

Edgar,I believe the decoy on the right is a Mason. J.J.

[Greg Baehman]

A couple of years ago we stop in at a chainsaw carver's studio, the Mrs. falls in love with this turtle, so of course it comes home with us. We find a place for it in the back of our backyard. Soon thereafter a Pileated Woodpecker finds the turtle easy peckins by pecking away a sizable portion of the turtle's shell, tail and front left foot necessitating a concrete repair job. It now appears the Pileated Woodpeckers have left evidence that they're once again back at it . . . and in addition to that, are now raising a small brood of backups! :banghead:

[Phil Yearout]

Love the woodpeckers! Two of my favorites...the first one is signed but I can't really make it out; looks like RD Lacrosse 1980. I know it's decorative and not a working decoy but I really like it...

https://i.imgur.com/mOtc9MTl.jpg

...and the second is homemade at its best (or worst!). I don't know if this one ever saw the water or is somebody's folk art dream, but I love it and I've always kinda hoped somebody hacked this guy out, shot over it, and maybe even got a goose! Note the aluminum paint breast color...

https://i.imgur.com/3GIqJzml.jpg

[Phil Yearout]

I just did a bit more research; the signature is R.D. Lewis, who apparently is a carver of some renown known for his decoys, but best known for his carved wood animals for carousels! Kinda cool...

[Greg Baehman]

My father, Claire Baehman, created this pair of cork bodied magnum Mallards that were 37 years in the making, starting them in 1972 and finishing them out in 2009. He made four pair of of these magnums with intentions of bringing in the really "tall birds".

[Rick Losey]

those would work, i like the paint job

[Ed Norman]

here is a hen merganser in the hunting decoy class I carved back in the 80's.

[Ed Norman]

I will try again

[Ed Norman]

This is probably my favorite hunting decoy, I painted it with some original herters decoy paint. Later after the competition, the judges asked me how I got that side pocket color, I told them it was from original herters paints. It reminded them of growing up hunting with all the guys that were using herters paints back then.

[Ed Norman]

I did decorative decoys too with all the feathering, I will try to post a couple of those too. This is the only full bodied decoy I have ever done.

[Ed Norman]

I am trying this again, the lens must of started to get cold with the full bodied merganser. Its a balmy 36 degrees here this morning :( And I am trying to rotate again so it will come out correct.

[Ed Norman]

This is frustrating, I have never gotten a picture straight up and down yet:) One more try, a male decorative merganser.

[Phil Yearout]

Canada goose by Big Sky Carvers out of Montana. I had seen this years ago in a local gallery and really wanted it, but I was broke and it was what seemed at the time like a lot of money. The other day I spied it on the bay, and it's home at last. I know it's decorative and not a real "user" but I like it!

https://i.imgur.com/a4XiVUGl.jpg

[John Dallas]

Nice bird. Here are two geese which live in our house. I carved the sleeper about 30 years ago, and the other began life on the Sassafras River on Chesapeake Bay. It's bill was "puppyized" by a Springer about 25 years ago, and it carries some shot marks also

[James J. Roberts]

John,Your goose from the Chesapeake Bay I believe is a R.Madison Mitchell. J.J.

[John Dallas]

Never thought about that. I do have a Mitchell goose decoy which has never been in the water. It's at my cabin up north. I'll try to get a picture of it in the next several days

[John Dallas]

Here is a picture of the "new" goose. At one time was sold in a Schmidt and Guyette auction. The old bird I pictured earlier, sure does look like a Mitchell, now that I can compare it to an original.

The stand I made for displaying the Goose features Winchester #4 copper paper shells as stanchions for the goose.

[James J. Roberts]

John,That goose looks like a Capt Harry Jobes decoy. J.J.

[charlie cleveland]

really like the shell theme with the goose....charlie

[John Dallas]

JJ - There's a lot of things I'm not, and decoy expert is one of them. The auction description called it Mitchell, so that's what I'm calling it, but the description may have been wrong. Regardless, I like it

[George Lang]

If I remember correctly Jobes apprenticed and worked for Mitchell and then he left to open his own shop making decoys like Mitchell's style. Original Mitchell are valued more than Jobes.

[JAMES HALL]

Captain Harry Jobes died about 2 weeks ago

[Russell E. Cleary]

Here is what a friend of mine has just carved while self-quarantining in his house on Martha's Vineyard.

A decorative Pintail, from a piece of dense and figured pine.

[John Dallas]

Here area few pics of a slat goose which I did a number of years ago. My wife thinks it makes a nice planter, hence the flowerpot in the back. ARGH! Thought I had these rotated. Oh Well. Lay on your side

[Kevin McCormack]

Here is a primitive hand-carved swan decoy from the Dames Quarter area of Deal Island, MD. The bottom is penknife-signed, "V. Robinson."

[Greg Baehman]

Duck hunters will likely recognize the shelving used to display these decoys.

[Stan Hillis]

I know a wood carver from South Carolina named Floyd Robbins. Although I am as far from an expert on carvings as one man can be I can recognize genius when I see it. Floyd has that genius, and is also a superb wingshot on woodcock with his little 20 ga. S X S. His carvings are nearly indistinguishable from real birds. Here's a recently completed quail which sold within minutes of it being offered. Everything you see was carved from wood, even the grasshopper. Hunting with Floyd is a rare privilege to be in the presence of greatness.

https://www.jpgbox.com/jpg/65664_600x400.jpg (https://www.jpgbox.com/page/65664_600x400/)

https://www.jpgbox.com/jpg/65665_600x400.jpg (https://www.jpgbox.com/page/65665_600x400/)

And a couple doves .........yeah, the shell box and the empty hulls are all carved from wood, too.

https://www.jpgbox.com/jpg/66113_600x400.jpg (https://www.jpgbox.com/page/66113_600x400/)

https://www.jpgbox.com/jpg/66114_600x400.jpg (https://www.jpgbox.com/page/66114_600x400/)

[Mills Morrison]

Floyd is a master! We have several works by him.

[Stan Hillis]

A few more of Floyd's creations ........

A wisp of snipe:

https://www.jpgbox.com/jpg/66124_600x400.jpg (https://www.jpgbox.com/page/66124_600x400/)

A breathtaking 'doodle:

https://www.jpgbox.com/jpg/66125_600x400.jpg (https://www.jpgbox.com/page/66125_600x400/)

And an owl with supper:

https://www.jpgbox.com/jpg/66126_600x400.jpg (https://www.jpgbox.com/page/66126_600x400/)

[Mills Morrison]

He paints too. Here are my sons . . . and a quail

[Randy G Roberts]

He paints too. Here are my sons . . . and a quail

Very nice Mills, very very nice ! The paintings that is. The birds alright as well :)

[Stan Hillis]

Good likenesses, Mills. Your boys were at about that age when I first met you, and them, at a Fall Southern at Rick's.

[Dean Romig]

Those are wonderful timeless portraits Mills!





.

[Mills Morrison]

My avatar is one of Floyd's pieces too.

[Phil Yearout]

Wonderful stuff guys! My latest acquisition is a limited edition from Big Sky Carvers. I saw these years ago but didn't get one; I was happy to recently find one on the bay. Not nearly as detailed as Floyd's work - a different approach - but I like it...

https://i.imgur.com/x1zvwMXl.jpg

[Greg Baehman]

Ring-necked Duck drake carved by Thomas Tyers of Oshkosh, WI. A couple of decades ago Tom sent this bird to the World Championships in Maryland, entering it the Novice competition. Unfortunately, it didn't place. But fortunately, it then found its place on my bookshelf.

[Jeff Kuss]

My latest ebay find by the late Hugh Moss of Traverse City Mi.

[bob lyons]

In response to the post of the Charles Murphy drawings I have most of all the book and drawings he did.
It is hard to find his stuff as he did not make a lot.
A blue bill by Charles Murphy made in the 80’s , a black duck made in the 70’s and a wood duck made by me in the 80’s with influence by Charley.
I knew charley and took carving and painting lessons from him in the 80’s, he also got me started collecting decoys, unfortunately died to young.
Most of his carving where miniatures.
I will post some decoys by William Foster later as well.

[charlie cleveland]

great ducks for sure....lots of talent...charlie

[Russell E. Cleary]

My brother moved up to a 30-foot diesel-powered “down Maine”-style fiberglass Bluefin Tuna fishing boat in 1988. It was a big deal for us.

Delivering her from where she was bought in early Spring, he asked a friend while stopping along the way at a small fishing port, what the species of diving duck was that he was seeing in the harbor. He was told that they were Sheldrakes, capable of diving 60 feet. He then decided that SHELDRAKE would make a good name for his new boat.

Familiar with how wooden half-models used by old-time boat-builders, after serving their intended purpose, often became wall decorations, I asked a young carver if he would make a ¾ model Sheldrake wall decoration to present to my brother as a Christmas gift.

The carver said he had never been asked for anything less than a full-model decoy, be it decorative or user, but would be happy to attempt what I wanted. It would be a first for him.

Pictured below is the result, front and back.

The boat has gone to a new owner; big game fishing is a matter of memories for us now; but the model still decorates my brother's home.

[Greg Baehman]

Recently created and carved by Casey Edwards of Mason, WI is this drumming Ruffed Grouse. The bird just flew in and landed on the top of my roll-top desk and immediately started drumming. He hasn't stopped! This Ruffed Grouse is a little different from others of his species as he's a silent drummer. Those that are familiar and have spent time in the habitat in which Ruffed Grouse live know the unmistakable sound of a drumming Ruffed Grouse. Well, in this case, you're going to have to use your imagination to hear the sound. It's easy if you try!

[Buddy Marson]

COB,
If that bird is in orginial paint and decent condition that would be a very good buy.