salty water decoys

Ten years ago, after attending a waterfowl festival, I started carving my first decoy. I instantly fell in love. I'm fascinated that by using only my hands, carving tools and paint that I can create one of a kind piece of art, and a hunting tool that is pleasing to the eye and also functional.

I start with a block of wood, either Tupelo or northern white cedar, sometimes called Juniper. I layout the lines on the wood block from a paper pattern that I have sketched from a photo or book reference.  There is an old saying with decoy carver's that goes, "you remove everything thing from the block of wood that does not look like a duck", and that is pretty much the truth. Once I am satisfied with the carving, I paint the carving with acrylics or oils. If the decoys is going to be hunted over I add a keel. From there the carving is ready for it's next home.