Learning to decoy carve

Dan VanDeWoestyne

Dan VanDeWoestyne

Member
I m interested in learning to decoy carve what is the best way to get started? Are there any good books out there or DVDs? I have a goal to someday shoot ducks over decoys that I made, in a boat I built ,with a dog I trained. Im a machinist and if I could get away with it Id added with a gun I built but dont think ATF would allow that. LOL
 
Listen to Bob...

If it is worth doing it is worth doing right...There are many guys on this sight whom carve decoys to the liking of a real duck...Ask questions, ask questions, observe the birds in the wild, take pictures, find a carver or group of carvers in your area, sit by their sides and enjoy their company...If Willy McDonald is having a class in the next 6 month "DON'T MISS IT"...

I started carving blocks myself about 6 years ago, without any prior training...You can start out that way as well...But save yourself some grief...My first birds I still hunt over season after season, they do fool the birds...But they look like potatoe heads connected to half a football...

Like I said don't miss a Willy McDonald class...It will cost you a little...But creating a solid foundation sure saves money in the long run when you start buying cork, basswood, cedar, and etc...When you get done with his class the bird you carve seems as if you have been carving for ages...Your next bird after that might not look as good when your sitting at home but it will far out-way the first bird you do on your own...

Best of Luck,

Special K
 
Hi Dan: Special "K" has covered it quite well about the way to go to learn to carve. Do get with one of Willy's classes and he will save you a lot of time amd effort to learn "How To". I have been through one of his classes and learned a lot from doing so. I also reccomend Willy . Best of Luck
 
Dan , Get Keith Muellers new book "The Art of Decoy Making". You can order it from Jimmy Hunt 631-928-5920. There is nobody better than Keith. He also gives a coarse every smmer in Michigan.
 
Keith Muellers new book
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Have you seen his book yet? I haven't, but I'm thinking it's not a beginner's book, and it's wicked expensive to boot. I'd recommend Matus's Mallard book, thirteen bucks from Barnes and Noble instead of $100 and you won't cry if you ruin it on your workbench.
 
Keith Muellers new book
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Have you seen his book yet? I haven't, but I'm thinking it's not a beginner's book, and it's wicked expensive to boot. I'd recommend Matus's Mallard book, thirteen bucks from Barnes and Noble instead of $100 and you won't cry if you ruin it on your workbench.
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I've got a copy. While Keith can carve some of the most elaborate birds in the wolrd. Most of his carvings are working decoys, that I see when I've been to his house. I am not a carver and only have the book because Keith is a friend. Of corse I've loolked through the book and it looks direct to the point with many photos sketches and plans. $100 is that what the book costs? I got mine for free. As far as being a beginner, I always felt that you can learn the most from the best . Like I said I'm not a carver, I'm a killer and I'm very good at what I do. 40 some odd years ago when I was just starting out pin hooking here in Montauk there were a lot of very famous Striped Bass fishermen Captaining the Charter Boats out here. I watched them and learned the ranges, the tides, how to make a pass on the spot, what lures to use and when. You dont get to the top of your trade by learning from the guys that are just getting by. I've never seen Matus's Mallard book. I'm sure its very good, all I did was make a sugestion.
 
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I m interested in learning to decoy carve what is the best way to get started? Are there any good books out there or DVDs? I have a goal to someday shoot ducks over decoys that I made, in a boat I built ,with a dog I trained. Im a machinist and if I could get away with it Id added with a gun I built but dont think ATF would allow that. LOL

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Actually Dan, you can make your own gun. I have a home made forty caliber flint lock rifle, but you can legally buy and make black powder firearms. I see no reason why you can't build yourself a 10 or 12 gauge double. If you do all of that, you MUST wear tweed and get your picture taken! You would be right out of an English Sporting Magazine and most likely make the world news as a novelty. I will warn you, making a rifle or shotgun is more wood work than metal work (except if you do much engraving on it... that's a whole 'nuther skill).

Why not?
Dave
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Hi Dan,

There are several options (financial and class type) for learning how to carve decoys through the Duck Blind's educational wing. First and a good place to start....check out the Cyber Classroom on our web site. It will give you a good overview of the process. Here is a link: http://www.theduckblind.com/...rclassroom/index.htm
Additionally we have packages that relate to the Cyber Class room in Murphy's Markdowns: http://www.theduckblind.com/murphysmarkdowns.htm

While in Murphy's Markdowns you will also find info regarding our video classes.. the DVD series has proven to be the most popular way to learn for folks that cannot attend our classes because of distance.

Lastly we offer a hands on class at least once a year and sometimes more. This year our hands on class will be held the weekend of January 29.30,31. Anyone that is interested in this class can get more info by email at duckblind@mei.net. Put 2010 class in the subject line. You can also reach us via our toll free number a 1-800-852-7352. We will be carving and painting Drake Goldeneyes this year and the class is designed for all skill levels.

Thanks ML Bob, Kristan, Don McC and all for your endorsement of our classes. We have been at this for over 26 years are very proud of our track record teaching folks the process thru our various venues. We have produced blue ribbon winners, BOS winnners but best of all many, many folks hunting ducks over their own hand carved decoys.

Willy McDonald
 
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Hi Willy: Having attended one of your classes has been an unforgetable experiance for me. It takes about 5 hours plus of carving time to get what should be in a decoy. Then there is the finishing, i e painting or what ever. It took about 9 hours of your time to teach 7 new carvers to get there first decoy from scratch. Not too many guys can do that. Have a great season and will see you some time along the trails. Don McCullough
 
I'll second (or third or fourth...) what others have said in regards to Willy and Bob's on line tutorials, additionally check out your local library, most of them share books with nearby libraries now. I was surprised how many books were available in my local system (some, by that time I had already bought). I'd like ot add Grayson Chessers book to the list...wish I had read that one sooner.

Chuck
 
Dan, I didn't read every post listed, but what I had read did not mention anything about WHAT kind of decoys you want to hunt over. If you are wanting to hunt over the decoys that you made, I would like to know what you are intending to make to be able to help your decision making and to be able to lend some advice. If you are making foamers, there are plenty of guys on this site that can help which is the same for cork makers. Many guys work with tan cork, myself and some others work with black cork. Then there are the solid wood carvers and the hollow wood carvers. If you are doing wood carving, you can probably find a carving group in your area which will give you great hands on with carving, painting, supplies, etc. Let me know if I can be of any help with your new hobby, especially if you are wanting to know about cork. Dave
 
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