Cool IL duck hunting video from 1919

Pat: Thanks so much. As SJS will note, on the South Shore of LI, the boats seem to be classified: Seaford Skiff, South Bay Scooter, Whaleback Scooter and of course the punt. They varied enormously, I think as Steve will agree. And actually the variation is interesting. Creative thinking by the builders to make a better mouse trap. On the North Shore, there was even a greater variation, and like Illinois, no real designation. Most resemble each other.
Thanks again.
 
Thanks for posting Ed. Really enjoyed watching it and can you imagine what a novelty the video camera would have been?! I kept thinking that things looked awful green to be be duck hunting, but then remembered this was 1919, guess you could shoot them pretty much any time you wanted.

Brad
 
I have a dvd with additional footage. Ive had it for some time and I dont remember exactly where it came from. The Senechwine Iron skiff had a few builders. Perdew , Graves, and Dawson are some of the well known decoy carvers that produced skiffs . The boat was 15-17 feet in length had a wide single board bottom. The garboard plank was fitted around the sawn frames and galvanized sheet metal was nailed to the lower edge of the plank. The metal conformed to the rounded chine hull and nailed to the bottom board.
I owned a Perdew boat a number of years ago with documentation. Later while talking to Charlies son ,Haddon Perdew, I learned that there was more money in the decoy making enterprise than the boats. In the video the closeup shot of the live decoy crate I believe thats an iron skiff.
There are a few Dan Kidneys in the fleet. Looks to be a Green Bay Boat with pole wells in the scene where they are transfering paddles to the launch.
In skiffs a good ID is the oarlock.
 
Pat and Bob:
Thanks for the info. And Ed for the video. I find duck boats of all kinds just fascinating. Really enjoyed the skiffs in the video. Without you guys, this stuff will get lost.
Thanks for your efforts and knowledge. As in all duck boats years ago--and today--there is a grace, beauty and efficiency that makes these crafts so extraordinary. And of course the skill, devotion and knowledge of the builders.
 
Long before this website began I kept a binder of duckboats. Back in 1980- 85 I took my first measurements off an iron skiff. This one was on a pair of sawhorses behind the old Greenhead Duck call factory in Lacon IL. The measurements are crude and this one had a traditional deck and combing and I was not sure the maker.
 
Great Video,
Notice all the men had smiles on there faces they really seemed to enjoy they sport and work as a team.
 
Thanks for sharing.....I was chuckling at the placing of the "decoys" and my wife asked "what are you laughing at?" I guess you never got skunked for a duck dinner. And the hunters all must have been good swimmers...not a life jacket seen. I've towed decoys out in my Hoefgen, but never thought about huntin' buddies.
 
Bob - Great history! Been by that factory many times. I could easily have a duckboat collecting problem. As it stands, I am down to 4 boats... Came close to buying a Ducker a month ago...


Every waterfowler needs a fleet... pg
 
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