Wooden Counterfeits

[OH Osthaus]

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

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




found this about the maker

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

[Wild Skies]

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.

[JJ Roberts]

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

[Wild Skies]

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!

[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...



...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...

[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...

[Wild Skies]

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".

[OH Osthaus]

those would work, i like the paint job