Pictures - 4th Annual Rutgers Institute Decoy Float 2012

David Robinson

David Robinson

Well-known member
August 4th, 2012 was 93F and turned our "Rutgers Institute Decoy Float" into a decoy "sweat." It was so hot, the dog was whooped!

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But we did it any way and we had a great time. It was a small group this year but Paul R, Rich H, Jamey V, Dave B (first-timer and good cook), Jeff B, Chuck J, Jeff V, and myself put together a nice spread of decoys. And the food was awesome thanks to Jeff B and Dave B!

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As always, we like to throw in a few "out of town" decoys into the mix because collecting decoys is half the fun. Even a few deals were made that night and some fine decoys found new homes.

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Well, our Float was cut short this year by a strong thunderstorm that blew in around 7 pm. Since I owned the boat, I was forced to risk life-and-limb and collect decoys while lightning filled the western sky and thunder could be heard rumbling in the distance! It was the fastest clean up ever:)

A big thank you to Duckboats.net and Pauly for being the catalysts that makes this possible. I feel truly blessed to live in west Michigan and have great friends to share this carving tradition with every year. We added a new member this year, who's next in 2013?

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Those four decoys belong to Jeff B. He makes a great decoy and I feel fortunate to have traded him one of my hen woodies for one of his. He is fairly new a this having just started last year when Jode Hillman came to town and did a painting class for us. I had a great time as always and I think Dave counted 43 decoys floating. A big thanks to Dave and Robin Robinson for hosting this annual event again.
 
That goose has a sweet looking body. Not sure the about the head and paint job. Thank you for posting these up! And, I agree, you guys in Michigan have been blessed with a great Decoy Carving Heritage. Thank you for keeping it going and sharing it with us. Pat
 
Looks like a great time and some great decoys. Thanks for sharing guys. You can see the Jode influence in the hen wood duck sitting on the wall. Dave
 
That goose has a sweet looking body. Not sure the about the head and paint job.
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Actually most of the comments I heard were the reverse...

Here is one more pic, a couple vagabonds, one fine decoy maker, and one hack of a seamstress...

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“A day in the blind is a delightful occasion. If there are ducks to be shot so much the better, but even a day in the open watching the bobbing decoys and the changing weather, with the good companionship of friends, is in itself a more than worth-while experience.”
--J. Kemp Bartlett Jr., “Chesapeake Bay,” Duck Shooting, 1947
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What a great quote!!!! Sorry, didn;t mean to hijack the thread :) wish I could carve decoys, and wish I could be close to such events... keep the tradition going gents!

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Rich,
[font=Verdana,Arial,Helvetica] Jeff B's decoys are impressive. You can certainly see the influence of Jode's class on him. But that hen mallard seems to have some influence from you in it as well. Glad to see you guys has a good time. One of these years I actually hope my travels will be bringing me down state when you guys are having this event.


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Sweet decoys as always!! I'm mighty bummed out that Garrett and I had to miss this, this year. (we had a family gathering conflict)

This decoy float is always a great time with gracious host(s), good food, and something I really look forward to each summer.

I sure hope to see another Rutgers weekend gathering posted here soon.

Best,
Brian F.
 
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