Any decoy carvers interested in a build and swap?

J

jonathan creason

Member
I just got this idea from an archery site that I visit frequently. Several bowyers are making bows and then swapping them when complete. I thought it might be something cool to do with decoys. Anybody that's interested would throw their name in the hat, then show the building process from the pattern all the way through the last brush stroke (as much as possible). In the end you would send your completed decoy to whoever drew your name with the understanding that they will use it the next season. I know we've got carvers of all levels and abilities on here, but I'd like for as many people as possible to get involved.

I dunno, maybe it's a little out there, but would any of you guys be interested?
 
I'm in!!!!! I will swap with John Lawrence or Keith Mueller!!!!!!!!! lol I just need addresses where to send too LOL. I think it's a great idea
 
i'm in, although it should be in categories, such as cedar, cork, foam, i myself only hunt with cedar birds, so getting a cork bird to me would not be ideal, im sure other carvers feel that way as well.
 
That's a good point, Jay. If it gets enough interest perhaps we could do a few different categories. I was also thinking, should we all do the same species, or leave it open to whatever you want to make?
 
Allright Joe,
I'll tell you what, I have a cork blackduck that I that's just about ready to finish. It just needs eyes and painted. I find myself ready for Westlake with a little time to do something different. It a very stylized head based on the Joel Barber bronze head shown in his book. I haven't participated in any swaps in quite a few years but I'll give it a go with this cork balckduck decoy.

So I'm in.
 
Count me in will post some pictures have a european wigeon that would be happy swap to swap, the chaps that know me as scotty, know my stuff.

Great Idea,

Paul Scott
 
Good to see some more people showing interest. I'd like to keep the swap totally random, as I think that would add a certain "cool" factor. I know we've all got different time contraints, too, but I really would like to see some decoys from the ground up. I figure if we set a deadline of around Aug. or so that should give everybody plenty of time to get one out in time for duck season.

I'd also like to keep it open to all ability levels. I'm a rank beginner myself. I also think we should all agree that these birds are for our personal rig, and will not be sold.
 
I'll do it John. I kind of like the catagory thing or even that we all do the same species. Either way I'm in..........................Kevin

Hallow Cedar Decoy.
 
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I think the way to do it would grab a photo of a bird in a simple pose and everyone carve that bird. you would need to make it a bird everyone would hunt such as a can or bill . Everyone carving the same bird and then seeing the final outcomes would be quite interesting IMHO. A photo picked by March and completion date by Aug 1st would be about right. I am in for a wood bird.
 
Great idea! I´ve been waiting for something like this!
I work with oils and wood.

Tom,
that is a pretty exciting idea - what variations would we get if we all designed a decoy from the same picture? I would realy like to see the outcome of such a thing.

However, I think it would be more relaxed if I could choose a favourite species that I am familiar with. At least for me that would result in a decoy that looks better than a first attempt at an "unknown" species. There is a risk that my first attempt might look like a cross breed turkey/wood duck, turkey/curlew, turkey/eider...

Oh, another thing.....if somebody would get to swap with Scotty or me...it aint cheap sending a package over the atlantic ocean!

Stefan
 
and take off.....and I hope it does....

Before it goes any further though I want to be sure that everyone understands that this "is not" a Forum sanctioned event....you're welcome to run it from this board but the site assumes no responsibility for the quality of the work, how the Swap choices" are made, or the ultimate receipt of your swap........"swapeat emptor" if you will.....

Neither Eric or I want this to be seen as a "negative" its just that we've both seen swaps of this nature result in "hard feelings" when people don't get a bird of "equal value" and want all participants to be sure that they know that there will be "no site recourse" should someone end up feeling like they didn't get what they gave.....or worse..their decoy just never shows up.....

Happy to see it run and happy to make it into a "sticky" if it does....

Steve
 
I agree. While I love seeing all different species, I think it should be something that would be welcome in nearly any spread. How about a scaup or ringer?
 
also to keep folks happy minimum painting or straight gunning

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We do something like this on a game call makers site. Its called a trade up. They post a trade up thread. Then everyone post who will participate. You send your call to the person that posted before you. (trade up) You can also request what type call you would like. It works out well.
 
I love the idea, but would probably rather see different categories. I know several people do woods, some do foamers, some do fronds, some do corks, some do canvas, and some do decorative. I myself do corks and woods, slicks and decoratives, but I would most likely want to do cork gunners. There are people on this site that do incredible decoratives that take weeks and weeks to finish and I wouldn't want to hurt anyone's feelings by receiving an extremely involved decoy for me and turn around and give them a cork gunner. There are numerous decoy makers on here that would be cherished in any collection or rig. I guess it comes down to if you want to participate, you take the risk. To make it completely random, the organizer takes a name/address and sends it to you. That is your guy/gal, make your deke and ship it. My .02...............dc
 
I agree, Dave, they should all be made with the understanding that we all want a gunning decoy. I personally only carve wood, but have no issue with receiving a cork one, or any other medium for that matter. I prefer natural materials, but I hate to exclude anyone.

I guess we should ask up front if there is anyone that is interested in this that only makes cork, foam, or any other type of decoy?

I was thinking that we could form a list of everyone interested. When the time comes someone can draw names (perhaps one of our wives or something) in order to keep it totally random. From there it will be up to you to get with the person who will receive your decoy and work out shipping.

Does anyone disagree with the idea of everyone doing the same species? If not perhaps we can ask Keith if he has any good images from which we can choose the pose we're going to do our interpretation of.
 
Anybody have a good pic we can use for inspiration? Also, for those that want to get in the swap, could you list what type of decoy you plan to make (wood, cork, etc.)?

I'll be making a wood gunner.
 
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