Mallard decoys

  • Thread starter Thread starter Davey W
  • Start date Start date
D

Davey W

Guest
I'm looking around for some affordable, custom mallard decoys. I've just about removed every plastic decoy from my spread, but I need some mallards now. I've thought about flocked mallards from Don Mintz, but the flocking won't hold up long in my setup.

I'm considering Toldeo decoys. $200/dozen, foam burlapped.

Anybody have any recommendations? I'm staying away from plastic/molded decoys. Looking towards cork, foam burlapped or cedar.
 
The word "custom" and "affordable" do not appear in the same sentence very often! Plus there is the subjective term "affordable. What is affordable to you? What level of competency are you looking at?

A couple names come to mind for rig birds in cedar or cork: George Williams in Delaware, Clint Taylor in NY, Glen Sweet in NY and John Cottenham in Michigan. Autumn Wings has some production style cedar birds.

Good luck!
 
I just recieved 6 back from Tom @ Toledo, they were Herters 72's blanks I picked up at a garage sale. I couldn't be happier with them, simple effective paint and the burlaping is awesome.
 
Well, by affordable I meant less than $500-600 for a dozen. Toledo's are nice birds for $200 a dozen, just wondering if there are any other guys out there like that.
 
Well, I doubt you will find much, if any, cedar or cork decoys at $50. Maybe start carving your own rig and save the money you would have to pay for custom?

Good luck!
 
Well, I doubt you will find much, if any, cedar or cork decoys at $50. Maybe start carving your own rig and save the money you would have to pay for custom?

Good luck!
Click to expand...

I started carving a few years ago, but I live in a townhouse with no garage, just a small 5x5 shed. I still work on a bird here and there, but I just don't have the space. Waiting for the wife to get employed and me to get a well deserved raise...then we're in the market for a house. A carving shack will be a must.
 
Terry, if you think about the investment in tools, materials, reference material, shop set-up, maybe buying custom stuff is not that expensive after all. Mike and i have tried to keep our dozen deke prices reasonable, and are pretty reasonable/ Man, think about what you have invested in all the stuff, just to lure some ducks to dinner!!!!
 
George:
Actually, it was a bit of sarcasm that fell flat. We all know that you can save soooooo much money carving your own decoys. I could have been much further ahead if I had just parted with $3600 for 3 dozen decoys. But then I would not have met you..............hmmmmmm, yep I would have been further ahead. LOL
 
To date I've carved about 2 dozen birds and cost wise it wasn't cheaper. I sold alot of the rig to buy more wood and barely turned a profit. Even the price of tan cork is expensive. I also have investments in carving tools, foredom, draw knife etc. Eventually I will carve my whole rig, but if all you have to work in is a 5x5 shed, you lose motivation.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Tery, the comment was noted.
I realize that the tool thing has been one that we all have acquired over the years..I started with old drawknives, a spokeshave,a power screwdriver and a friend who had access to the wood shop ad dover afb.
Three years later, i bought a cc foredom, which still works fine, then a Sears 12" bandsaw, which has been just fine to date, with exception of a few morors and the bearings, which do wear out.
To date, i have made over 5000 decoys--they are not ALL in my rig and hanging around the shop, thank Heavens. Each and every one has been a different challenge, as little tweaks occurred over the years.
MAN, am I Blessed to have had so much fun so far!!!
Using your own is certainly the way to go, and making them is a GREAT way to make contact with other lunatic fringe folks, too!
As for space, if you have a basement, just take over a section--I carve, sand, paint and glue, all in one area--Some folks can vouch as to that space. Eventually you will tend to add on, like a garage, which makes a great shop, or even a pole building--heated and air conditioned, of course.
The fun part of this trip is that hopefully, none of us will ever reach a permanent destination.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top