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Duck Decoys

Duck decoys have been used by hunters for years to aid them in their hunting expeditions.  Today, they are even more popular with collectors.  The purpose of duck decoys is to lure other animals into the range of the scope so that the hunter can shoot the ducks.  In North America, the decoys have been used for over two thousand years or more.  The Smithsonian Museum in the US houses the oldest duck decoys that have been found in the United States, Canada, and other areas in North America.  

The Native Americans made the decoys by hand with wood that they carved into, or they would use straw to make the duck shape.  Many of the decoys that have been found are more elaborate than others, with more colors or details.  The more elaborate the decoy’s are, the higher the value will be for collectors and even hunters.  Before making a purchase, examine the decoy properly.  The earlier duck decoys from the 1880s through the 1940s had a larger amount of detail.  The eyes were also made of glass and the bodies were weighted for the perfect amount of buoyancy.  

To find duck decoys, the best place to seek is in online auction shops on the Internet.  Make sure that you double check the seller’s credentials before you commit to the purchase.  This is due to the fact that if you are paying for an antique decoy, it could actually be a reproduction.  Thrift shops and flea markets are also valuable places for duck decoys.  These locations are usually the best spots for the nicest duck decoys.  Many of the items that you find are from estate sells that the recent owner had no control over.  This is a wonderful spot to find valuable decoys.  

Even though the materials used for manufacturing duck decoys have changed, the concept of the body style has not changed at all.  The modern decoys are just as effective as the antique versions.  When hunting in large water areas, the concept is that the more decoys used the better your chances are.  It is also recommended that you stray away from using the same decoy each time that you go hunting.  

When you are hunting in wetland areas, to ensure that the birds coming your way fly past your decoy, then you should set up your duck upwind from your location.  If you do not try this, then the geese and ducks will more than likely rest on the outer edges and this will limit your opportunities for shooting.  To ensure that the ducks you are hunting will not catch on to your trick, try to group your decoys according to their species.  This is due to the fact that birds typically tend to stay within their own groups when they are resting.  

As you have read, duck decoys are essential for geese or duck hunters, and are well sought after by collectors.  Whether you are collecting them or simply using them for hunting purposes, try to purchase a wide variety of styles and colors.  As they say, you do not want to have all of your ducks in one row.

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Duck Decoy Man

Duck Decoys (Classic Carving Projects Made Easy series) $8.85 Long a standard and favorite for crafters, carving decoys is made simple in this easy-to-follow design book, which includes a history of decoys, an introduction to basic carving techniques, and complete instructions for carving a male mallard decoy. Strategies for carving the head attachment, setting eyes, shaping the body and feathers, sealing, priming, and painting are also provided….

Antique-Style Duck Decoys: Contemporary Techniques to Carve and Paint in the Folk Art Tradition $9.00 For decoy enthusiasts and collectors who want to replicate the grace, flow, and imperfections found in antique duck decoys, this resource presents the process for carving the traditional, streamlined wood replicas. Chapters focus on every aspect of this classic art form—from selecting the proper wood and cutting out the head and eyes to body surface and tail detail. Additional sections offer …

The Decorative Decoy Carver’s Ultimate Painting & Pattern Portfolio, Series One $21.00 In this two-volume set, esteemed decoy and pattern maker Bruce Burk provides time- and artist-tested patterns for 42 duck decoys. Similar in format, these companion volumes offer a wealth of patterns and techniques. Reference photographs taken from multiple angles help carvers familiarize themselves with the duck’s actual features before they begin to carve. Outline-carving patterns guide intermed…

GHG Life Size Wood Duck Decoys $39.99 These GHG Lifesize Series Wood Duck decoys are molded from original world-class carvings produced with intricate feather detail and anatomic perfection. After the meticulous true-to-life paint jobs are applied, the results are some of the most remarkably realistic decoys available today. The high-density polyethylene construction combines the best of both worlds — incredible durability and lightw…