Decoy Swap

Dave Church

Dave Church

Well-known member
Back in 2010 I threw my name in the hat for a decoy swap. I sent mine out and never received one, but I was moving and so was he, it just kind of fell thru the cracks......no big deal. Was wondering if people would want to do something like this again. If I remember right, there was a cut off date and people would "roger up" to be in the swap and would usually post what they were going to provide, (some guys even took special orders for specific birds) and once the list was put together, names were drawn and everyone was notified who was sending to whom. Great carvers and beginners alike were involved and you just never knew what treasure you were going to receive. Season is almost over and we have to come up with something to do. Any takers?

dc
 
I doubt I will participate, but I might suggest decoys need to be completed before you sign up or have a strict deadline date. I say this knowing that I could have trouble meeting a deadline. That is also why I suggest it.
 
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David sorry you did not bet your bird. I remember my 5 yo drew the names out of a hat. She and her sister enjoyed it greatly. I would be in for a swap again. Currently working on the heads of some greater scaup rear facing that I could have ready. I think a several month deadline would be appropriate
 
We are gaining some momentum now.......Tom, don't see why your daughters couldn't do the picking again if nobody has any objections. Lets set the date to have them done is 1 May 2012. We can post pics of progress and harass the heck out of whoever is making our decoy. Carvers and the recipient will work out the details. If a carver has already posted what he will donate, I will post it next to the carvers name. If the carver says "I will make a cork decoy"..then the recipient MIGHT be able to ask for a specific species/sex of the deke. Remember, some participants are new or possibly making their first decoy so there might be limitations on what they can provide. So far the list of carvers is:

Dave Church - Tan Mallard (either sex)
Tom Modin -
Steve Stratton -
Paul Scott - cork European Widgeon
Hank York -



Who else is in? This is a great way to get to know people on this site or strike up old conversations.

dc
 
I will participate, but also agree there needs to be a deadline when the birds have to be complete and then re-poll on who is still available. As a beginner I will gladly accept another beginner bird as I don't feel it is appropriate I swap with a more experienced carver. Mine will most likely be canvas unless I can get my hands on some cork.

Edit: May 1 deadline sounds good, just caught that.
 
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We are gaining some momentum now.......Tom, don't see why your daughters couldn't do the picking again if nobody has any objections. Lets set the date to have them done is 1 May 2012. We can post pics of progress and harass the heck out of whoever is making our decoy. Carvers and the recipient will work out the details. If a carver has already posted what he will donate, I will post it next to the carvers name. If the carver says "I will make a cork decoy"..then the recipient MIGHT be able to ask for a specific species/sex of the deke. Remember, some participants are new or possibly making their first decoy so there might be limitations on what they can provide. So far the list of carvers is:

Dave Church - Tan Mallard (either sex)
Tom Modin -
Steve Stratton -
Paul Scott - cork European Widgeon
Hank York -



Who else is in? This is a great way to get to know people on this site or strike up old conversations.

dc
Click to expand...


I would like to be included.

Dave,
I'm curious, wouldn't it make sense to have completed bird by a deadline, post up a pic of the complete decoy to become a part of the swap? Reason being, is nobody can say afterward "I'm not done" I've been in 2 swaps on another forum that went well, but I've seen other places with a lot of guys not getting birds and hearing the "I'm still working on it" story.
The idea of a swap is working on the honor system. It can work, but it can fail too. At least if the requirement was to post a completed bird for the swap then there is no room for "I'm still working on it"
I have 2 drake GE's that I just finished. Working birds with flocked backs and heads. Would be willing to add one of those to a May swap. (or both if I can be in the hat twice and get 2 back) My winter will be spent making more GE's that may or may not get flocked. By May 1 I could let the recipient choose. (assuming I have a few painted)


I'm not as seasoned as others here, but here is 1 I gunned over this season. The 2 I finished are very similar. Hollow white cedar, cedar head. About 17" long 7.5 " wide
DSCN2639.jpg

Low head version. These won't be my swaps, but a rough idea where I'm at carving gunners.

DSCN2640.jpg


Sent this one out in a previous swap on another site. Little smaller then the above, but also hollow white cedar.
2 others were made at the same time. They have proved to work well so far.
DSCN1992.jpg

Dave
 
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Here is what we have now:

Rich Hohler -
Dave Church - Tan cork Mallard (either sex)
Tom Modin -
Steve Stratton -
Paul Scott - cork European Widgeon
Hank York -
RC D -
Dave Walker - cedar Goldeneye

I went back and read thru how the last swap was set up back in 2010. They had a deadline date of when the decoys had to be finished. Let's set the deadline for 1 April. I know this is moving it up a month, but it still gives everyone almost 3 months to get a deke complete. This will also help with keeping the project from slipping from our minds, get us thru the winter, AND having it done before fishing season starts. If you have decoys complete that you will be swapping, let me know what they are and/or post them up. Birds in work would also be great to see. As far as categories, I am not crazy about splitting people into categories because if we only have one maker of say, canvas, it gets kind of tricky. I also think that novice and experts should also be in the same hat. I have bought and/or swapped for some great decoys over the years that helped me greatly in making better decoys. Let me know if this sounds ok or please feel free to throw things at my head. If any of the moderators want to chime in with any help or advice, please do so.

dc
 
Rich Hohler -
Dave Church - Tan cork Mallard (either sex)
Tom Modin -
Steve Stratton -
Paul Scott - cork European Widgeon
Hank York -
RC D -
Dave Walker - cedar Goldeneye
Wendell Avery - canvas deke

dc
 
I have not particiapated in the past but would be up for a swap ( Goldeneye or burned cork Black Duck )
 
Rich Hohler -
Dave Church - Tan cork Mallard (either sex)
Tom Modin -
Steve Stratton -
Paul Scott - cork European Widgeon
Hank York -
RC D -
Dave Walker - cedar Goldeneye
Wendell Avery - canvas deke
Bomber - Goldeneye or Black duck


dc
 
i would like to participate. I have this complete i am an amateur carver so if this don't qualify as a hen ringneck i have another I am working on I've gotten a little better ...not much though!View attachment IMG_1088.jpg">
 
Rich Hohler -
Dave Church - Tan cork Mallard (either sex)
Tom Modin -
Steve Stratton -
Paul Scott - cork European Widgeon
Hank York -
RC D -
Dave Walker - cedar Goldeneye
Wendell Avery - canvas deke
Bomber - Goldeneye or Black duck
LI Mike - Hen ringneck

LI Mike, deke looks great, welcome to the swap.

dc
 
I like the idea of posting a completed decoy before being entered in the swap. I participated last time, but never got a decoy. Simply having a deadline after the drawing of names doesn't insure that the decoy will ever get done. I'll have to give it some more thought as to whether I am going to participate this time.
 
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