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Pat Gregory

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Guys – I thought I’d share a little history about a bluebill hen decoy I acquired at the Henry Decoy Show yesterday. Below is some background info…

Maker = Dr. Miles Pirnie
Occupation – Ornithologist (Waterfowl Biologist) Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan
Species = Bluebill Hen
Circa – 1935


I have been after a Pirnie decoy for years for several reasons, not only do I have a soft spot for Michigan decoys, but I got to know one of Dr. Pirnie’s understudy’s, Dave Hodgman well. Dave was also a waterfowl biologist from Michigan State as well as a decoy maker and collector. Dave copied Dr. Pirnie’s style of decoys. At one time, I had 50 hand carved diver decoys of Dave’s I used to hunt with. I sold the entire rig to a gentleman in Canada.


Another reason why I wanted a Pirnie decoy is his involvement in starting Delta Waterfowl. Here is an excerpt from the Delta Website regarding the origins of the organization…


“When waterfowl populations crashed in the Dirty ‘30s, Minneapolis businessman and sportsman James Ford Bell set out to protect the waning resource. The founder of General Mills, Bell believed the best hope for sustaining waterfowl populations for future generations to enjoy was through a science-based understanding of the birds’ behavior. Bell appealed to the scientific world for help, and one of the first to respond was Dr. Miles Pirnie of Michigan State University. Dr. Pirnie visited Bell’s hunting camp at Manitoba’s Delta Marsh, and was so impressed that he invited his friend Aldo Leopold to tour the facilities.

After consulting with Pirnie and Leopold, Bell decided to establish a graduate research program at his beloved Delta Marsh. Leopold recommended one of his most gifted students, Hans Albert Hochbaum, to launch the program, and managed to come up with $1,000 to support the young graduate assistant. Hochbaum arrived at “the marsh” in 1938, and under his guidance the Delta Waterfowl Research Station would become the most prestigious waterfowl research facility in North America. Hochbaum went on to earn a reputation as “the father of modern waterfowl science”. In addition to conducting ground-breaking research, Hochbaum was gifted artist and wordsmith whose books The Canvasback on a Prairie Marsh and To Ride the Wind became waterfowling classics.”


I am really excited to own not just a Pirnie decoy but, a bluebill at that… There is a little excitement in this waterfowler’s life… Pat

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Pat

As a student of waterfowl biologists I am happy to say that you have a real gem on your hands. Congrats. Do you have a copy of his book.
 
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Nice bird Pat! That is really a good looking Bluebill. I see it has the Hu Dahlka mark on the bottom, a noteworthy early collection.

Tim
 
I share your admiration for Pirnie decoys, and own several. I am always looking to acquire more. In 1986, I sold one of my all time favorite decoys, a Pirnie widgeon, to help fund my son's college education. I have looked for years to find another, with no success.

Ah, the joys and frustrations of decoy collecting!

Your bluebill hen is a very nice bird. Congratulations.

Mike
 
Pat,
That is a wonderful and interesting looking decoy. I was not aware of his work or his involvement in Delta. I have read Hochbaum's books so I was no stranger to the beginnings of Delta. [font=Verdana,Arial,Helvetica]I am very happy for you can you tell us more about how he constructed his decoys. Were they solid or hollow and what is the story behind the branding on the bottom?

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Brandon - He did both hollow and solid white cedar. Mine happens to be hollow. He did brand every bird with a "Pirnie" brand. Mine is also branded "Hy Dhalka". Hy was a prominent Michigan decoy collector and, branded this decoy to reflect being part of his collection. Pat
 
Pat - great catch ! and all the better for your carving skill and knowledge and appreciation for the carving traditions and styles from earlier eras and locations.
sarge
 
Thanks guys! Appreciation of the hard work and diligent efforts of our forefathers is important. This decoy to me is just a symbol of the importance of Dr. Pirnie's contributions to waterfowling history. I so appreciate all he did. We are the direct benefactors today of all the hard work he did in the past. I revere our forefathers and all their hard work. It's nice to have a piece of his history. Pat
 
Nice hind Pat. Especially from HDs collection. I have a scaup hen fr when he was facing out carving to a place in GR andostly assembling and painting. One of my most prized birds!
 
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