crazy gadwall decoy

[Dave Speer]

Didn't really fit in any particular month workbench, project was stretch-----ed out over a long time

This picture was the inspiration for this decoy:

This primer shot is the best one I have right now (decoy is currently in Washington) where you can see the individual feathers in the wings.

 

[Paul W]

That is one of the cooler dekes I've seen! Good job !

 

[Steve Sanford]

Dave~

Spectacular bird! (the thief in me is working overtime....)

Have you floated it? Got any photos on the water?

Congratulations!

SJS

 

[RC D]

Nice Dave.

I think you nailed the pose and the paint. Are you going to keel it or just put a pad weight on it? It looks like it might take a few tries to get it to balance out.

What did you make the individual feathers out of?

 

[Andy Karrick]

Dave: Cool as heck! Andy

 

[Al Hansen]

First of all,Dave, you made a great capture on that fantastic picture. Then to have followed up with that decoy, you have to be so darn proud. Great work.
Al

 

[Pat Gregory]

Dave - Nice work! Way to take on a challenge like this and, let your creative juices flow. I love it! Pat

 

[Dave Speer]

Thanks guys. I didn't take the reference picture of the live duck, no idea who did.

The bird is a foamer and should for all purposes be the last decoy I ever make in anything but cork or wood. I did a foam crane a couple years ago and sure would like another 6-12 of them, so there is a slight possibility.

I floated it to ride just how it sits flat, it was nose heavy from the bill construction. Took 10.5 oz of weight to self-right but even after all that and the keel it clocks in just under 2 pounds.

The wingtips are made of thin PVC material, pictures below show the basic construction. I got the idea when Rob James did that awesome stretching wigeon a couple years ago and used the PVC as primary tips. I wanted to do the whole wing with individual feathers. (Rob also actually sent me the PVC material, super nice guy)

 

[Carl]

Wow, fantastic!

 

[bob welsh]

cool block its like a window into your mind

 

[Vince Pagliaroli]

Spring pose, lotta Work, not over done, looks good and can't wait to See it in water. Two thumbs up.

 

[Jake Passmore]

That teal in the background of the third pic above ain't shabby either

 

[Mike Repp]

Awesome I think you nailed it! Great way of thinking outside the box. Im sure that you'll be using that one a lot. That's the kind of decoy you put out and cant keep your eye off while hunting. Nice job.

 

[Dani]

neat idea for a decoy. and very nice paint job...