"Old school" Old Squaw...hot off the workbench

P.G. Ross

P.G. Ross

Member
Just finished a batch of "old school" old squaw made with traditional tools: hatchet, drawknife, spokeshave and "Palmer" knives with a little 60 grit sanding to finish off, in that order. Some "voodoo" local sealing techniques (let's just say that I DID NOT sacrifice a goat this time) and oil paints finish 'em off. Planning to hunt with a couple of these next season. Hollow with leather anchor ties and doweled through top of head. Feedback (both negative and positive) is welcome...

Thanks, PG

ps-I grew up on Chesapeake Bay calling an old squaw a "Southerly"...any other local names now that these are history and we are PC with "long-tailed duck"?

pss-did use a bandsaw for side and top view cuts and forstner bit and chisels for hollowing...it does make me feel dirty, but I'm lazy that way...

psss-Rutgers needs to buy at least a dozen of these!

southerly_side_08_lowres.jpg


southerly_rearquarter_08_lowres.jpg


southerly_frontquarter_08_lowres.jpg

 
beautiful Cock a wee me son ,there made that way up here to ive seen a few by times on shelves mostly..
shermie
 
David,

All right, another Shore boy! I'm about an hour south of Salisbury in Exmore, VA, but I gun a bit up near the state line. PG
 
PG had to do a double take. I had a picture taken of me in Va with brant that was almost Identical to your avitar.
You should have put those birds in OC this weekend!
 
I have always loved the old decoy look you did a nice job.

I remember may days on Kent Island and St Micheal's shooting them
 
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Cool birds. Was that the tradition to take the dowel down thru the head back in the day? I like the stub tail, and the paint job.
 
David,

Were you brant hunting on the Eastern Shore of VA or on the other side? I had a chance to ride up to the OC show with a friend, but a sick dog and some family obligations nixed it. I'm sure it was a great show.

PG
 
Bob,

Thanks for the kind words! I don't know how many of the famous old decoy makers used the dowel through the top of the head, but several of the local guys in my area did. I originally saw it on some decoys my grandfather hunted with by unknown makers which have luckily been handed down to my brother and me. I've mainly seen it on solid body birds (although these Southerlies are hollow). They'd also use nails through the top. "Hurricane" Pete Peterson here on the Shore still uses this technique along with nails through the lower neck into the body on some of his decoys (the heads of which are often left exposed). I think he was influenced by some lower Shore and North Carolina makers on this aspect (e.g. some Cobb Island brant and Currituck/Knott's Island ruddy ducks).

PG
 
I was in Va hunting around Chincoteage. You missed a great show. The level of talent there can only be appreciated if seen.
 
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