CHURCH DECOYS

George' Save up a little more money and buy a better type of cork decoy spread,doing it this way will save you more money in the long run.Black cork {which was firt used in commercial freezers} is to pouris and holds water,which could freeze up on colder days adding weight and crack.There are people on this site that yoy can contact for cork decoys that are solid dense tan cork,like run amuck decoys by george williams and others . GOOD LUCK Cas
 
Cas, good comment about the black cork being more pourous. I teach decoy carving a couple times a year for the state waterfowling clinics and I always tell the new carvers that sealing is the most important part. Keep the moisture out and you will not have any problems. Black cork used to come from old railway "freezer" cars and old ice chests to make decoys. Although freezing and splitting can occur, I have never experienced. Usually my biggest concern is my father-in-law shooting mine when trying to finish a cripple. lol
 
Last edited:
Cas,

I think you are correct that black cork 'used to' come from old freezers, etc. The product I have used in the past 10 years is much different than the crap I had 30 years ago. The old stuff did indeed get water logged. I have 5 BBs that I made 30+ years ago that will all but sink after a day on the water. About 10 years ago I made a couple dozen black cork decoys with the new, better quality cork and have had zero problems with them getting water logged, chipping, etc. Also, as mentioned in another post, I don't use bottom boards either. Seal them well and they are as good as the tan cork and I might add - lighter.
 
throw in some DucK Tape and Krispy Kremes and thats all you need...

I've heard that crap about Black Cork being "worthless" since I bought my first black cork 30 years ago.....BULL.....

Out of a refrigerated box car made in the 30's like the stuff that Mark Rongers sent me, or the newer stuff, its all about how you seal it.....seal it right and, put a good full length keel on it and you neither need to baby it or worry about it soaking up water......plus its lighter which is nice when you're running hundred birds rigs out of little boats....

BLACK CORK AND WD-40 aND KRISPY KREMES.....gets the job done.....

Steve
 
Dave

Over the years we've had several instances where someone in the waterfowling industry, who isn't a regular here, took some criticism and then came on to respond. The manner in how they respond really says a lot about the kind of person they are and the type of business they run. Thank you for positive and informative replies. It is appreciated by the management of this site.

Eric
 
For what it is worth i would rather own a u.s. made decoy than a plastic foreigner any day.We need to support american industry.
 
Eric, I appreciate your comments. I am an old retired Navy Senior Chief and can get moody when need be, but I live and breath duck hunting. I have been a hunter safety instructor in three different states for over 15 years and have supported most conservation groups in one way or another over the years. I pride myself on my honesty and integrity and only hope to help out anyone who might need it. I have GIVEN all of my cork decoy secrets away to anyone that asks to help them make their own corks and asked nothing in return. I have plenty of old timers scoff at me for not using bottom boards or tail boards and tell me that they will not last. Well.......they have. I can't make anyone like my decoys and I understand we all have our favorite calls, boats, dekes, dogs, loads, etc. I will just keep carving away, one decoy at a time and get the name out there. I don't care if people buy them or not...if they work for you great. We all have plenty of "duck gear" that hangs around the house or shop that we bought that doesn't work. I track all of my decoys and know where they were sent. I hope that one day my grandkids will find some in an old barn, antique store, garage sale and remember where they came from. I do enjoy your site and am thick skinned and able to take some abuse. Let me just thank you for getting a chance to answer back. I don't like to go on sites and say "I make decoys, go to my site and buy them. I look forward to contributing in a postive way when I can. Thanks again. Very Respectfully, Dave Church
 
Dave,
I think they look like great decoys. I get a 'traditional' feel with their looks. Now, they may not be some folk's cup of tea, with the way the black cork looks, but they look fine to me. Maybe that's bacause the only corks I've ever hunted over were old, black cork dekes years ago. I never even knew or cared about tan cork until later years, after being around some folks that carved for competitions, etc. We had old Herters foam stuff, corks, and flambeau and G&H plastics...and that's just all we knew of. I'd be interested to know the weight and weight difference between them and say a tan cork, foamer, and plastic deke...just for giggles.
 
I gotta say, Dave Church. for you to come on this forum and answer the critics like you did (and I was the most harsh) says a lot about you as a person. It looks like you are a heck of a good man. I especially like that you have your son involved. Spending time with the kids will pay bigger dividends than any well carved decoy ever will.
I have shot many ducks over 2 liter bottles painted black, y-boards and some pretty awful looking decoys when I first started carving. The ducks are not as particular as the hunters are. As you can see in the attached pic from this mmorning the teal were landing in some old nasty looking Carylites (the season is not open here).
teal233.jpg


I also have carved a lot of brown cork ... and OK ....I'll admit it here...I like it. Having carved a couple hundred decoys in brown cork does not make me an expert but I know from experience that to cut and shape it to the most basic "half football" shape is not difficult or time consuming. It is the most basic thing that should be done. I spent a lot of time on you website last night trying to figure out what I was missing. Since you list yourself as a "Master Carver" I kept looking for a picture of a bird that could verify that. It was not to be found. I am afraid I will have to stand by my original assesment of your work.

Your web site is very well designed and set up. I believe you should consider steping it up a notch with your carvings even if you have to kick up the price a few dollars. I post this picture because I consider myself an "amature with experience" as far as decoy carving goes. I can make a page long list of things that are wrong with these birds that I need to do better. Just because someone is buying them and they will decoy birds does not nullify the need to improve. You state on your site that you appreciate constructive crtisism so here you go .You could add 5% more effort into shaping your deeks and improve them 100%. I look forward to seeing what 5% could do for your blocks.
taron025.jpg

 
Thanks Ron. My decoys are very simplistic and I have carved many "finer" decoys but do not keep them. They are gifts and donation dekes. As someone posted, time is money. My decoys are formed quickly to ensure not too much cork is taken away which will make them weak or brittle. The paint is quick and easily touched up after a few seasons by somebody who does not make decoys. I am marketing solid decoys that work at an affordable price. I have seen many decoys through the years that I wouldn't want if they were a door prize, but I won't take the time to ridicule the maker. Your decoys are nice looking and I am sure they sell for a good price. I am not here to undercut anyone or steal their sales. I have found a customer base that wants to move out of plastics and into something that has some heritage. I appreciate your decoy carvings and especially like the sculpting on the redhead. The BWT bodies almost follow the lines of old Herters styrofoam dekes if you remember them. As with all carvers, my decoys evolve during every new build. None of my decoy breeds stay the same from design to paint. I can't have everybody happy with them or I won't have any time to hunt, play with dogs or kids. haha
 
Last edited:
Thanks Lou, I have always been a silent fan of your painting. I even figured if I sold enough dekes and ate enough black cork dust that I could one day give you a call and order one of your sneak boat kits. Not quite there yet, better go make myself another cork dust sandwich. Thanks again
 
who when asked "why" he chose Black Cork over tan and wood and crab pot buoys as his "favored" medium.....


"cause Uncle Steve.....it's makes THE BEST buggars"....

And indeed it does.....

(little know fact....spraying WD-40 inside your nose will reduce the number of black dust boogers that accumulate in a day of carving".....TRUE STORY)....

LONG LIVE WD-40.....

Steve
 
Dave,

Just want to say that, yes you have responded in a civilized fashion. I do think you may have misunderstood some of the comments. I say that due to your statement " I have seen many decoys through the years that I wouldn't want if they were a door prize, but I won't take the time to ridicule the maker." (underlining added)

When I made the comment that my sister would call them bread loaves. I said nothing about their ability to attract ducks or if they were a good decoy. The bread loaf term is a term used quite often to describe the shaping your decoys represent. There are both pros and cons to this style of shaping. The comment in my eyes was a neither negative nor positive, and definately not ridiculing, it was just an honest observation.

I wish you the best in your endeavors.
 
Huntindave,
No worries. I am very familiar with the loaf of bread term and didn't take offense to it. I was not upset by anything said. I was referring to many "carved" decoys that I see in stores that are clearly from other countries. The mallard doesn't have a purple head or a yellow chest, but somebody in Taiwan thinks it does. No hard feelings. Good luck this season.
 
since this kinda turned into a black cork vs tan cork thing. I thought I would share something. I picked up two really thick sheets of high density tan from an old guy who doesn't carve (and one sheet of Wiley, ha, ha, ha) and the stuff is so light you wouldn't beleive it. Easily weighs only 40% of what Willy's weighs. It doesn't have voides like black, it is just made of really big chunks as opposed to small grounds. I wish I had more of the stuff. it is really nice, only complaint is sometimes a chunk will let go and instead of having a rice sized dimple, you get one the size of a 1/4 wine cork. All he knew was it came from Maryland a long time ago.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top