Recent content by J.Russell

Here is what the bird looks like with the Golden MSA Varnish. I painted the tail insert, speculum and head. Body is raw black cork, no filler, sealed with the MSA. I have started using it on top of acrylics as one additional protective coat. It is just one way of many to reach the same goal.

Try using Golden Acrylic's MSA matte varnish thined to their specifications with their thinner. You will not regret it. Great product. You can put it straight on cork and even on top of Acrylic paint. Water beads up like a fresh wax job on a car. I recently made a black duck Gunner sealed with...

I have a brother in your general area that may be able to help. He has started carving again. PM me if interested.

I have managed a half dozen to a dozen boxes for over 20 years. Last year was my worst hatch year. I typically have eggs in the boxes by mid Feb. This year, I have 6 boxes and all have eggs. Two boxes were nest dumped up to about 21 to 22 eggs each. Those boxes hatched last about 16 eggs each...

All of the birds here look great. Glad to see so much carving going on. This month being at home has freed up both of my boys to carve and has allowed me to help another friend with a gunner. I will introduce Kevin. He carved a few birds with me over the years, but this is his first in the last...

Here is one my 13 year old just finished. Head and body were carved with a knife. Very little power tool work.

There is a section in the book about old carvers which I thought was interesting. I would have to dig the book out to find the pages that was written on. Eric is correct in the Fall Flights of Alabama book being a good start. We are not traditionally a decoy heritage state. Now, there are a few...

I met Steve about 20 years ago through Bill Kell which was my carving mentor at the time. Steve and I talked and emailed regulary about decoy carving and chasing ducks during those first years of our relationship. Barry, Steve's brother, invited me to go hunt Washington state sea ducks with he...

Good looking birds.Love the dead mount carving. Looking good Dax. Cork gunners from recent months.

Great month of carving here. My friend Jon Espey carved his first decoy in 7 years with me over the last two weeks. Cork gunner with tupelo head. I felt that he did a great job and wanted to share his work.

It will usually go where you want it to, but doesn't always come back. The best part is that it doesn't whine, shed or poop. I am considering making another to see if I can breed them. Puppies would stay without breaking. Red heads are nice.

I recently had a discussion about Labrador ducks with a friend which inspired me to make my own version of a Labrador decoy. Non extinct version.

Sorry to hear it Dani,

It has been a while since I have posted. Glad to see all of the great decoys on the site.