Great 1950s Pics- take a look-

[Donald]

here is a friend of my Grandfathers and my fathers- carving a sculling oar in my grandfather carving shop- Dick Barnett was his name- he died - well almost 7 years ago now- look at the decoys behind him- its a mix of my Grandfathers and Charles Hart decoy- i have a few- of both men- but that is one big old pile-

Donald

 

[Kevin Weir]

I like seeing those old photos. History can show us a lot. Like for instance, did anyone notice none of those decoys piled up have keels? I think keels are a reatively new requirement to an age old design. Do they help anymore than those without? I don't think so. Only a few of mine now have keels but do have ballast on the bottom or inside on the bottom board. Keeled birds son't self right any better than those without. It does however provide a nice handle for winding lines though.
Just my thoughts on it.

 

[Donald]

good eyes- my grandfather and hart never keeled there birds- they and i hunt in an area that had a LARGE- 8 foot plus rise and fall of tise- so at low tide the birds lie flat on the mud- or sand and look natural- crowell and lincoln never keeled theres either- - if it aint broke don't fix it-

i do not keel my birds- but i do not compete with my decoys- the ducks are my only judge-

DLHO