Not Parkers but thought people would find interesting re Decoys

[James Palmer]

I am very lucky to have grown up hunting ducks out east on Long Island and currently live full time in Amagansett. Had a great sea duck season this year and thought people would enjoy these pics. Long Island has an incredible history of decoy carving that goes back to the 1800s when waterfowl hunting really took off here. Because we’re right on the Atlantic Flyway, the bays and waters around Long Island were packed with ducks and geese every season. Local hunters started carving their own decoys, and over time they got so good at it that Long Island decoys became some of the most famous in the country.
The South Shore had some legendary carvers. Guys like Obediah Verity from Seaford made beautiful hollow decoys that were light to carry but worked great on the water. Samuel Jester from Babylon and the Bowman family created that classic Long Island style—sleek, realistic birds that fooled ducks every time. Out in the Hamptons where I am, the carving tradition was especially strong among the Bonackers—that’s what the locals from Springs, Amagansett, and the East End are called. The name comes from Accabonac Harbor, and these were the original baymen and fishermen who made their living off the water long before the Hamptons became what it is today. There are several interesting books about their history. The Stratton brothers in Southampton and Quogue were making incredible decoys, and over closer to me, Bonacker carvers who knew every tide and wind pattern were creating decoys for serious ocean hunting which is what Long Island decoys were all about—beautiful, but built to hunt.
What’s cool about these Long Island carvers, especially the Bonackers, is that they weren’t just making art—they were working watermen. They carved decoys they actually used to put food on the table and guide sports. Every bird had to look right and sit right in the water to bring in the real thing. Today their original decoys are worth a fortune to collectors, but the real legacy is the hunting tradition they built. Every time we go out there setting a rig and watching birds work, we’re carrying on what those old-time carvers and Bonackers started. They were hunters making decoys for hunters, and they were damn good at it.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ I was very fortunate this yr to be introduced to a master carver located in the Springs area. He is 83 yrs old and self taught. Early on he won numerous awards but refused to sell or make anything for anyone out of his group of family and friends other than the occasional donation to a DU or Hunting event. It is a very close knit community. However, he welcomed me in and I was able to purchase a very cool Old Squaw. I thought members would enjoy some pics of his studio and birds. I did not mention his name on purpose as he asked me not to. BTW...the last pic is cool and examples of heads he would do as studies. Enjoy...

[James Palmer]

I can never get the pics straight but if someone can fix that would be great...

[Kevin McCormack]

A guy who rode with us in our carpool 30 years ago had some distant relatives on Long Island and had a great uncle who was a waterfowler. Apparently the great uncle's predecessors knew and hunted with the Veritys and used their decoys. He gave me this photograph his great uncle had given him and when I told him how really rare it was and why, was astounded. I'll let my added text fill in the details; I used it a couple of times in displays at gun shows and outdoor events and everyone who viewed it who knew anything about gunning styles and the influence of geographic areas on waterfowling said, "HUUUUH?"

[Big D]

Here are some chunks of wood carved by an old guy (me)