Traditional Bluebill Decoys...

P

Pat Gregory

Well-known member
As decoy carvers, we all need challenges. I asked Geoff Vine to carve me a pair of Henry Taubert (Pekin, IL 1870-1934) style bluebills using an original example that I own. Henry Taubert is one of my carving heroes. I trusted Geoff to do this as he is one of the top traditional decoy carvers I know.

Well, he not only met my expectations but, exceeded them. In some respects, they are actually better than the original. They are so similar to the Tauberts it's amazing. Also, to my knowledge, Henry Taubert never carved hens yet, I challenged Geoff to make a hen. He nailed it.

Outstanding work Geoff and, thank you for humoring me. You have a God-given gift for traditional decoys and, I appreciate you carrying on the legacy of traditional decoys...

The original...
View attachment PICT0007.JPG

Geoff's drake and Taubert's side by side...

View attachment PICT0001.JPG
View attachment PICT0002.JPG
View attachment PICT0003.JPG
View attachment PICT0004.JPG
 
Last edited:
And, for anyone that owns Geoff Vine Decoys and doesn't hunt them, you don't know what your missing. If you think they look good in hand, you should see them on the water. Here is a Richard Wilcoxen style green wing Geoff did me for my teal rig. It looks incredible on the water. I've had several people hunting with me single it out as an outstanding decoy. Wilcoxen decoys, like Taubert decoys, also floated this same water of Mud Lake in the 1800's and, lured many ducks to their death. Geoff's teal decoy has done the same...
View attachment PICT0010.JPG
View attachment PICT0011.JPG
 
Nice...I don't normally care much for "blind" decoys, but those are sweet! Very cool history to go along with them as well. Nicely done Pat!

Steve
 
No problem Bill! None of Taubert's decoys were fitted with eyes. I've seen Taubert mallards, bluebills and cans, none fitted with eyes. Back in the late 1800's/early 1900's eyes were not readily available and were very difficult to get. And, honestly, by the time the ducks figured out there were no eyes in the decoys, we should be shooting right??? :) Many ducks have fallen over decoys without eyes. I love the simplicity of it...

One of Taubert's predecessors, Leonard "Red" Doren, also from Pekin, Illinois copied Taubert closely but, did fit his decoys with eyes.

Here are some pictures of a Taubert mallard drake in worn but original paint. Because Henry Taubert made decoys as early as he did, and his decoys are as old as they are, it is tough finding a Taubert decoy in good original paint in decent condition. Keep in mind, most of his decoys are 100-125 years old...

View attachment PICT0001.JPG
View attachment PICT0002.JPG
View attachment PICT0003.JPG
 
Last edited:
Pat,

That is an incredible statement: most of his decoys are 100 to 125 years old. It's amazing they are still here...or even painted. My grandmother lived 97 wonderful years and I thought that was old and incredible. It just goes to show, if it ain't broke...don't fix it!

Geoff did an outstanding job on those decoys. Top-self!
 
Pat, there is something special about simple gunners. Geoff did an amazing job on those bills. Good luck with them.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top