My second attempt at carving

I think it looks just fine! It will draw ducks for sure. I love it, and as a matter of fact, now that my latest project of a pair of Ruddys is finished, I think a pair of Hoodies will be my next project.

Jon
 
Dave -

That s a good lookin' "Pencil Bill", and will work just fine.

Everything there sez Hooded Merganser. That's a Gunning Decoy IMO.

Considering the stout down tail, I imagine you used a hardwood for the bill.

The lack of a bottom board, and sharp edge will require maintenance down the road, but no big problem.


Best regards
Vince
 
Thanks for the color codes Steve! It is a gunning decoy. I made it for a small rig I keep in my pond box. Just a few blacks, a couple teal, and now a hooder. I am surprised at how heavy it is. I hand not thought about the rough edge needing maintenance, and I can see that potential issue. The carving thing is addictive. There may be a fire sale on plastic dekes at my place this summer to make room.
 
I'd be proud to gun over that deek, I think the hoodies will love it!
 
Dave~


For my black cork birds, I often epoxy on a 1/4-inch AC plywood bottom board (sawn to the bottom plan view before I glue it on). It both protects the "chines" and makes attaching a keel easier.


Keep up the great work!


SJS

 
Nice bird, Dave! The tailboard should have been coated with a warm epoxy layer to extend its life expectancy. Why? It will ride in the water all the time when the deke is out and paint wear usually occurs here first during use. Water will eventually intrude into the lamination layers in the plywood and induce rot or freeze/thaw cycle delamination. A clear, straight grain softwood will likely give you more years of service in future efforts.
 
Is that cork? Of so, I assume by the enlargement, that you used the color of the cork for the sides. If not, what did you use for the texture? If so, did you SEAL the unprotected material completely? Unprotected cork will suck up water rather quickly, causing a myriad of problems.
Good sawbill.[;)]
 
I think that look AMAZING! Jim Bosanny just loves those Hoodies.. he might be trying to by that off you! [w00t]

Seriously , that is a good looking decoy, no matter how experienced you are. IMO
 
So it is cork, and that is the natural color on the sides. The cork was all sealed with cork sealer. The tailboard was coated with 2 good coats of titebond 3. I?m not sure what will be next but a friend just gave two sheets of cork he had sitting in his garage, and I still have a sheet left from what I bought. I picked up a used pattern book, so I have a few ideas. I may make a hen hooder to go along with this guy. BTW I hunted this bird today on a south Jersey bay. We didn?t kill any hooder?s But I didn?t really expect to on the big water. It rode nicely though.
 
From where you hunt, sounds like a black duck and a broadbill should be next!
 
I'm South Jersey too. If you want to try white cedar for a bottom board message me. Its light, soft, rot resistant and the traditional wood for our area. You mentioned the decoy is heavy - what is your keel?
 
Nice....
Your far ahead of my first birds I ever carved 15 years ago...That decoy will hunt....You would have had me beat if you put a dowel through a potato...Great job!

Kristan
 
Good morning, Kristan~


Sad to say....potatoes and most other root vegetables are not permitted in most carving competitions. (maybe California?)



And, I don't even want to think about the baiting implications!!!!


All the best,


SJS

 
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