I too, like to collect old decoys, etc. that mean something to me, from hunts I've had, from friends that are special and the like. Not necessarily antiques, cork, cedar or famous makers, just ones that prod my memory of days gone by and friends not with me anymore.
As Ramsey had already posted, these were from Nash Buckingham that Dr. Chubby Andrews gave me and were used by Mr. buck many years before.
These were made by the famous waterfowl hunter, world traveler, decoy maker, and good friend Ramsey Russell. Love the old school decoys we had before the mass production.
This old Herter's Model 63 was among the first mail order decoys I bought back in the 60's from Herter's. Since back then Black Ducks were prevalent in my area i only used 5 or 7 at a time as I knew as smart as Blacks were they would know decoys were sold by the dozen
This cork Pacific Black Duck was used in New Zealand and I picked up on one of my trips over there.
These next few decoys were from Johnny Marsh's gunning rig on Reelfoot Lake. Johnny was a call maker and guide at Reelfoot. I like the turn-back head design and these were burlap wrapped and obviously held their paint well.
Johnny Marsh Mallard.
One of his Black Ducks.
We spent many a night in my Mom's kitchen baking decoys using the Decoys Unlimited molds and the styrofoam beads cooking one at a time. We made over 300 one summer.
Rumor has it that a whole Teal or Mallard breast could be hid in the hollow of these.
Old canvas Mallard decoy from P.W. Underwood when he was caretaker at Beaver Dam. Given to me By Dr. Andrews.
These were probably some of the first plastic decoys made and belonged to Wallace Claypool at Wild Acres Duck Club near Weiner, Arkansas. They survived a fire that burned at old clubhouse.
Shot my first Eiders over this cork decoy at Cape Cod, Mass. in the early 70's.
This sleeper Canvasback hen was from the Vic Berg rig in North Carolina near Kill Devil Hills. I killed my first Tundra Swan over the rig this decoy was a part of. i thought the carver keel was rather unique.
This cork Black Duck was in a rig I shot over in Virginia.
I mowed yards for two weeks to buy the first dozen paper mache decoys from Western Auto.
Tis little plastic decoy belonged to Dr. Andrews and was in the spread the first time I ever hunted Beaver Dam in 1971.
Working cork Canvasback Slick carved for me by my good friend in Maryland that was my original partner at the LLDC.
These two working slicks were carved by one of my best friends in East Tennessee. I shot over them each once before retiring them to my collection.
Preening Mallard carved by a friend from East Tennessee. He passed away some years ago.
