OLD WAY DECOYS - Sheldrake repair

Steve Sanford

Steve Sanford

Well-known member
All~

Here's a quick look at the repair I just completed on this nice cork Sheldrake from Western NY. It has a new tail insert and fresh paint. I will post a more complete tale when I have more time (mid-2018????).

Here is how he arrived at the SSWA Duckboat Show on November 5:

CLICK any photo to enlarge.

View attachment 01 sm 01 Old Way Decoys - RBM FULL.JPG

I must have lived within an hour of Mr. Sweet circa 1980....

View attachment 03 sm 03 Old Way Decoys - STAMP.JPG

My tail insert went into the body about 2 inches more than the original. I used 1/4-inch AC plywood. It was sealed with epoxy and set in thickened epoxy.

View attachment 06 sm OWD - tail insert.JPG

Here is the finish paint. I resisted the urge to put a new pair of bright red eyes in him.

View attachment 17 sm OWD - finished on bench 02.JPG

Here's the new tail section.

View attachment 18 sm OWD - finished - tail section.JPG

I may hunt him Friday - on a local river. We have no Red-breasteds hereabouts - but Commons and Hoodies visit us most mornings. (RBs are THE Sheldrake on the salt waters on Long Island - to which he will return soon.)

All the best,

SJS

 
WOW better then new. Feel free to put a set new red eyes in him. Then hunt him as much as you like.
I would love to see a photo of him in the rig on the river. Poor shellpecker is not a twin anymore.
 
Wonderful job Steve.

I really think this deke has what I will refer to as- a most perfect blend of "simplistic detail".

Jon
 
Jon~

Thanks for the kind words. Your "simplistic detail" is what I strive for in all of my gunners. I'm thinking I should establish a new subsidiary here at Pencil Brook Farm: Simpleton's Detailing.....

All the best,

SJS
 
Good morning, Bill~

He will be on the river tomorrow morning.....

Note that I retained the Old Way Decoys seal. I coated it with spar varnish to protect it, then masked it before the rest of the bottom got 2 coats of Behr Suede Grey.

View attachment 20 sm OWD - bottom.JPG

Hens and young Sheldrake will be safe from my gun - but a big Bull in full plumage will be in jeopardy (although I think it's still too early.)

I'm thinking your former twin will have to become a hen....

All the best,

SJS
 
Takes me back to gunnin our Bayfront years ago.In the early light I Come up on what I thought was a drake mallard stoolin beautifully . Just before pulling trigger realized it was a shelldrake. Looked good swimin in the decoys! That coloration sure does resemble a drake mallard comeing head on at dawn!
 
Roy~

Your story reminds me of a similar "mimicry" situation with hen Red-breasted. I was gunning Moriches Bay (South Shore of LI) - in broad daylight - and had 4 birds stool nicely: 2 Drake Gadwall and 2 Hen Sheldrake all in one bunch. Both species shared the reddish heads, grey bodies and white speculums (specula for fellow Latin sudents). I opted for the puddlers and took the 2 Gadwalls home with me.

All the best,

SJS
 
I have only seen common and hoodies here in my area as well, but I love the look of that decoy and other red breasted decoys. I may have to add one on down the line!
 
Great work as always!

We get all three species down here, though hoodies and hairy-heads seem more prevalent. They don't get a pass from me, they make good jerky.
I don't think I have ever shot a common but I have seen them while fishing on lower Mobile Bay in late February..
 
Good morning, Tom~

No shotgun was fired this morning, but my Canon was limbered up. Here is that Sheldrake hard at work (Click to enlarge.)

View attachment sm Old Way Sheldrake - portrait.JPG

He joined 10 Model 63 Mallards and Blacks (these decoys are clumped together for the camera only....) on the river.

View attachment sm Old Way Sheldrake with Model 63 Mallards.JPG

Saw a handful of puddlers - but only 20 or so Canadas gave me a nice shot - but for the closed season (because of Deer Season).

On my way home, I watched a desperate deer hunter sprint - black rifle in hand - across a highway from his car. In blue jeans and white T-shirt, he took a couple of fruitless pops at a running 6-pointer. Black Friday, indeed!

All the best,

SJS
 
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