Decoy Shelf

John Fraser

John Fraser

Well-known member
I recently finished this shelf to display decoys that were given to me from family. The shelf is white ash from a tree I took down in the yard. Some of the birds were part of my wife's grandfather's rig.




 
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Good morning Steve. Thanks.

The whistlers are by Ken Harris. They both need n their bills repaired. Now that they're up out of the basement, I may actually do that. I do have the missing piece of bill from one of them.

The broadbill are LL Bean's, aren't they? The one on the right has a more graceful head and I was wondering if it was one that Soule did for Bean?
 
Nice shelf John. Now I feel bad...I've been wanting to tackle the same project for quite a while now and just haven't had the time to do so. Maybe this will be just the kick in the butt I need. Nicely done sir.


Steve
 
The broadbill are LL Bean's, aren't they? The one on the right has a more graceful head and I was wondering if it was one that Soule did for Bean?
Click to expand...

Yes, those are LL Bean Scaup. Tough to date with that picture.
 
Thanks everyone!

Steve: I'd like to use some of that ash to make a new fleshing beam. The Lowe's 2x8 beam I made a while back is a little fat for anything fox size and smaller (I caught my first red fox this morning). I'm hoping a new, smaller beam will work for everything except mink. I'm thinking the new beam will be about 5" wide, but I'm not sure about the thickness. I have some ash that's just shy of 1" thick, other boards that are just shy of 1-3/8" thick, and other boards that are around 1-1/2" thick. I'll probably plane it first, since I usually regret it if I don't. Right now I'm guessing the 1-3/8" stuff should work for this smaller beam. What do you think?

I can send you the link to the pattern I used for that shelf if you'd like.
 
Awesome on your first Red John. That first one seems to be the toughest to get. Did you remake the set? It just gets better with all of those foxy smells lingering around. I'm sure you know that though. Hopefully you can get another to work your set. Good luck! I'm going to do some duck hunting tomorrow morning then head out to run my first sets of the season. First check will be Sunday, I'm looking forward to that already!

I made my own beam years ago out of some hard maple. I don't recall the exact dimensions, but I can get those for you if you'd like. The maple seemed to be my best option...good and hard, no knots, smooth, etc. Ash is nice and hard too, just make sure to sand it down smooth and take your time fleshing. The grain on ash may have some softer areas that your knife may bite into and cause a hole in your pelt.


By the way, do you read "Trappers Post" by any chance?

Good trappin'
Steve
 
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Good luck with the fur and feathers Steve. I'm trying to figure out how to fit in ducks, fish, and fur this weekend myself. Of course on top of some of the tasks I've got to get done around the house before winter.

I remade that set today, it was too wet yesterday to mess with. Got all the sets in good working order for the weekend. Last year was my first season chasing the canines, I caught a coyote and a grey, but no reds. It's always exciting to catch something new.

Was just curious about the beam thickness. I know a lot of guys use "two by" stuff for their beams. But when I've put those two fox on an FHA fox board it seems that they fit snug in the neck area. So if I'm using a beam with the plan view of a fox stretcher, I probably don't want the beam to be too thick.

I do read the Trappers Post. Is there a good article I should see?
 
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Ugh, Maxx was not happy with me yesterday. It was his 3rd birthday so I figured we'd spend the morning hunting instead of cutting the hunt short and setting traps. The birds were flying well...woodies, mallards, gadwall, teal, geese. And I couldn't hit a single one of 'em. Frustrating to say the least. Mostly pass shooting, but well within range. Heck, I even left my stupid turkey gun at home and took out the Berretta 686 for it's inaugural hunt. It shot good and all, but I think I may have had some bad shells or something. I shot my limit anyway, limit of shells that is.


Probably a good thing I didn't trap too. My fleshing beam seems to be AWOL. I may be making another right along with you before I set any traps. If I recall correctly I used 6/4 hard maple (1 1/2" thick). The width was in the neighborhood of 5" -6", and may 48" -60" long Fortunately I have a nice slab of cherry in the shop that may just fill my needs if necessary. It has a nice smooth grain to it like the maple so it should make a fine beam. I may be waiting until I get back for the Adirondacks to set steel around home by the looks of things.


And there may be an article or two, or more showing up in the Trappers Post as early as the next issue (Jan/Feb) that may be of some interest to you. I may be waiting until I get back for the Adirondacks to set steel around home by the looks of things.
 
We all have days like that Steve. At least you got out there with the dog! No duck hunting this weekend, but we did get out casting plugs for lakers. We caught two smallmouth instead, 17.75" was the largest. A windy yet beautiful afternoon on the lake.

My NYSTA membership just ran out, I'll have to renew it soon so I can see those articles in the Trappers Post.

Thanks for the specs on your beam. I need to get working on it, caught another fox on Saturday! I’ll post some pics of the beam when it’s done.

DSCN0867_zpsnyh2wx7b.jpg

 
Nice catch John! Congrats on number 2...was that in your re-make set?


I still haven't laid out any steel. Been too busy with work. I may not get to set anything until I hit the ADK next week. I was hoping to have out a decent line around home by now, but it's just not going to happen. On a more positive note, the fur will certainly be prime around here when I do finally set some steel. I'm going to have to make another beam too. I can't find that thing anywhere.


I'm going to get my NYSTA membership squared away too, no sense in buying the Trappers Post each month. Plus there are some good things coming that I don't want to miss.

Good trapping!
Steve
 
Thanks Steve. This one was caught at another set nearby. Good luck on your ADK trip!
 
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