Harker's decoys

Bob B

Bob B

Well-known member
I got out my backup disc and found a bunch of old pictures of Lee's decoys from the old days on the site.
I loved the 2x decoys the best as a true yankee spinthrift. The old construction cutoff pile at a house site may just have your next bird waiting in it. All of these were titled with Lees name and I am pretty sure he carved them all.
Sorry Steve, I looked but didnt have any with Lee himself in them.













A shot of his BBII with the blind frame.


 
I recall some of Lee's earliest decoys when the site first started and Lee became interested in carving his own. Let's just say he truly was a beginner. Over time he really found his way and the old style decoys he did were exceptional. Lee evovled into an outstanding decoy maker as evidenced by the pair of golden eyes above. I feel a huge void without him.
 
Eric,
I agree, but I started to chuckle when I remembered one of his first. A drake pintail that he tossed in a tiny little kiddie pool in the back yard. I can't remember if the pool was for Blake or for the dog but right then and there it became Lake Harker and that boy was hooked from then on.


bballard
 
HarkerCans.jpg

Lee and I never talked without his asking me if they were getting hunted....they wer, and will continue to be....and I'd like to think that some year, in the future I'll be able to hunt with them and with Blake.


Steve
 
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and I'd like to think that some year, in the future I'll be able to hunt with them and with Blake.
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Steve,

I like your thinking. I'm willing to bet it would be a special hunt for both Blake and yourself.
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Steve wasn't it back in 2002 that a bunch of us sent canvasback decoys out to you for a show/fund raiser, pre-brant foundation as I remember? Didn't Lee do well in that, top couple?
I remember him getting a big kick out of that.

Tim
 
I don't remember wheere he finsihed in the contest but I do remember his bird bringing the second highest amount in the DU Auction that Lee donated the bird to.....

HE did the same thing the following year for the first annual Oregon Waterfowl Festival with the birds being Wigeon....he won second in that one and HR on the Chiloe Wigeon he sent....

Steve
 
While the the old time carvers that influenced his work are evident, each one has a style that makes Lee's work easily identifiable. For contemporary stuff, Lee thought quite highly of George Strunk and Jim Schmeidlin's work. Lee carved an awesome rig of teal modeled after George's stuff, but as usual, added enough of his own interpretation to make them without a doubt, Harker Decoys. I've got a picture of one around here someplace I'll have to scan and post. I don't think the first pair of GE's are of Lee's hand though.

One thing I regret is never adding any of Lee's work to my collection. I coveted one of those teal for a few seasons, and always meant to bring a trade decoy with me on the next trip. My not bringing a decoy became a running joke. I never would have thought this season would be our last together.
 
Steve,

I remember that contest, he won it! If I remember correctly, the blocks were put in a pool and judged from X number of feet. He beat me and Obi Wan and a few others from here. I forgot all about that!

Tom
 
I'm hoping somebody brings one of Lee's for Ohio. I'd like to see them floating one more time



B
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Brian, I spoke to Chuck Crump and he may be coming to Westlake on Saturday. If he does, he'll have a few of Lee's blocks in tow.
 
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