Redheads..not for the decoy purist

Robert Van Sant

Robert Van Sant

Active member
Several years ago I purchased a few dozen decoys from Pete Hilliard of New Jersey. I really like his rendition of divers. He uses (used) black cork and Hearter's Model 72/73 heads. I saw the decoy heads in a sales flyer from Cabelas for 88 cents a few months ago, so I purchased 2 dozen. I got some black cork from the Duck Blind and went to hacking. The first pic is Pete's decoy, the others are my shameless attempt to make my own.


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They are a little blocky in that 2nd pic but look pretty good by time you get to the last one! :)
 
I made some bluebills out of black cork with herter's heads a few years back and they worked just fine as I bet your redheads will. If they get close enough to think the bodies are too blocky then they better give their little duck hearts to God because their little duck asses will be yours.

I'm no semi pro decoy maker but they look fine to me,
Harry
 
Several years ago I purchased a few dozen decoys from Pete Hilliard of New Jersey. I really like his rendition of divers. He uses (used) black cork and Hearter's Model 72/73 heads. I saw the decoy heads in a sales flyer from Cabelas for 88 cents a few months ago, so I purchased 2 dozen. I got some black cork from the Duck Blind and went to hacking. The first pic is Pete's decoy, the others are my shameless attempt to make my own.


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Robert,

Looks great, I love a pile of black cork (especially with the mess in someone else's absement). If those heads are solid (I can't remember if herters are), you can add some variety to the rig by chopping off the necks to make snugglers.

T
 
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Robert,

Nice work. I also bought a bunch of the .88 heads (believe they are still available on line). How big of a body are you putting them on, and where did you get the pattern? I've never made decoys or carved before, and was leaning towards the body pattern in Costilow's book.

Can't wait to see them painted!

Take care,
Bill
 
Bill,
I drafted the pattern by looking at the original. The bodies are 13 1/2" long, 4" high, 8" wide. The tail is made of 1/4" hardboard. It protudes 2" from the cork.


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Robert, your decoys will certainly bring ducks. I might suggest inserting that tail a little deeper, that back end of the decoy is the weakest spot.

Nice job, but be careful though, that black cork can become addicting!
 
........If they get close enough to think the bodies are too blocky then they better give their little duck hearts to God because their little duck asses will be yours.

Harry
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That's funny stuff Harry.....I read through this thread twice and I missed this the first time through. I would have choked on my Cheerios if I hadn't sprayed them out of my nose first :)

Donivan
 
Robert,
gimmie a shout sometime when your close and we can whip out a few redhead-heads at my place in no time..

Good to see your still kickin

Jeff
 
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