Some world competitive decoys

[wwbirds]

Thanks for all the compliments on the other thread about the working decoys I have made and several of you bought. A number of people have expressed interest in the competition quality decoys made specifically for competing.
Here are a few examples:

One of my first adventures into competition was the creation of a low head one piece pintail with a plastic tail that would stand up to the rigors of hunting. The open bill was to give him the relaxed lazy look.
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww349/wwbirds/DSC_0061.jpg

At about the same time I decided to tackle a pair of the most difficult birds to paint so decided to compete a pair of American widgeon:

http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww349/wwbirds/wigeonpairlsjpg.jpg

http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww349/wwbirds/wigeonpairrsjpg.jpg

The following year I decided to do a bird I have shot far too many of in Northern Ontario when I hunted the rice paddies of Georgian Bay and other big water. ringneck drake

http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww349/wwbirds/ringneckdrrsjpg.jpg

In 2007 I decided to jump into the world championship race by entering the shooting rig comprised of any pair of worldwide waterfowl and one additonal bird. A good friend who is world class taxidermist heard I was researching brant and common eiders so sent me them as reference which was very helpful in making my patterns and painting because I had never seen the live birds personally. The actual carvings are hollow tupelo and weigh only 10 ounces but since the competition is rain or shine in Chesapeake Bay some rough water can be anticipated so the keels are weighted with 4 pounds of lead to keep the centre of gravity low and stable in rough water. They self right from any position as a test in the competition. to prevent them from blowing away in the wind the anchors are poured lead that I carved into clam shells and they are color coordinated to the bird they are attached to.
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww349/wwbirds/DSC_0057.jpg

http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww349/wwbirds/DSC_0056.jpg

The next year in 2008 I decided to do local birds I see every day in Alberta on the farm with the primary pair being shovelers. To keep the third bird realistic and also because they generally award more points to difficulty in painting hens I chose a hen pintail (blue bill).
the anchor this time were poured lead common snails

http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww349/wwbirds/DSC_0055.jpg

http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww349/wwbirds/DSC_0054.jpg

In 2009 I decided to do another local bird but was doing a family group of cinnamon teal to keep the third bird in the trio an immmature female cinnamon teal.
the display was a little more involved for I had the female cinnamon sitting on a floating log overlooking the immature female with proud poppa looking on.
the anchors this time were toadstools growing from the floating log.

http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww349/wwbirds/DSC_0059.jpg

http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww349/wwbirds/DSC_0058.jpg

Thanks for looking
Rob

[New Hunter Okotoks]

Can I buy any of these for a hundred bucks! LOL!!!! Just Kidding.

Thanks for Sharing. Very Impressive. Beautiful work.

[vcmm]

Awsome work! You should be very proud.
v

[Ken07AOVette]

Rob those are ridiculously nice, incredible talent. :)

[simmered]

Those are beautiful. Can't get over the paint jobs! Nice work

[gatorhunter]

You sir are a genius! Exceptional work! Congratulations!:shake2:

[saskbooknut]

Stunning work - always a pleasure to admire talents that I don't have but envy.

[Mhunter51]

The ducks are great. The painting job makes them look like they could fly away anytime. Great talent and work. I will cherish the Canvasback drake I bought from you. Thanks again.

[BigBuck$]

Absolutely beautiful!

Did you have one of those at the DU auction in Leduc a few years back?

[wwbirds]

Haven't had one in DU Leduc but had one in downtown Calgary auction many years ago.
Thanks
Rob

[ORV]

are any of these up for sale rob?

sorry had to ask.

thanks

orv.

[Skybuster]

Rob,

Your work is incredible. I love the balck duck I got from you. The lines on it are very realistic and the paint job is truly inspired. I have a buddy from back east that used to shoot black ducks all the time. He was very impressed with your work.

The pictures in this post are unreal. You have obviously put in a lot of time and a lot of work. I am glad I have a piece from you.

Cheers.

[wwbirds]

New Hunter Okotoks, none of these for $100. but they are for sale. That Goldeneye on the other thread is still available and it is a true working bird designed to look like those used at the turn of the century Delaware River (1900). Market hunters didn't pay much attention to anatomy but want big sturdy birds they could abuse and throw out quickly and would show up with a lot of contrast from far away.

Orv yes all these are for sale but to be competitive at the worlds each feather is individually textured and the paint has to be over the top with shadows and highlights just as a real feather would appear. No "block painting" for these divisions and as such I have many hours into each bird so a small teal is worth more than a large mallard working bird. $500.
wigeon size at $750. and eider/goose size $1000.
Thank you all for your kind words.
Rob

[wwbirds]

bump

[wwbirds]

Taking orders for 2013 FCFS

[wwbirds]

bump please, taking orders first come first served

[wwbirds]

Not sure how to move them from FB to Photobucket to post here but my budding photograper son took some new pictures of my Ward World Championship entries last week for a new Facebook page I put up under my carving name Woodfowl. He was experimnenting with long exposures to bring out the colors and reduce any shadows and I think they came out really well.

Can be seen at my FB location and would appreciate if you "like" to bump the ratings and you wil be advised of new carvings work in progress and special offers.
Thanks
Rob

http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Woodfowl/362971400416851

[wwbirds]

bttt

[wwbirds]

bump please, several of these will be on display and for sale at the Competition in Calgary July 5th 2012

[thunderheart]

wonderful work ... hmmm something i would love to try ... do you use yellow or red cedar ?...just found a big chunk of what looks like tight grained clear yellow cedar on my morning walk on the beach

you sir are an artist
wayne

[wwbirds]

I have used white and yellow and both carve nicely although yellow is a bit harder and has a pretty strong smell. Red cedar is one of the most toxic of woods so special precautions must be taken when using band saw or power tools or sanding it.
Many carvers use tupelo but it is expensive (my favorite) basswood is quite cheap and easy to find (linden tree) and also many exotic wood places carry softer woods for carving such as butternut or exotic fine grained mahoghany.
I think once you try or learn on carving woods cedar will seem quite hard and difficult to carve (splinters easily)
Rob

[thunderheart]

thanks ... lots of the carvers here prefer red and yellow .. especially the native carvers....i love the smell of both of them. yellow specially... as to toxic i agree there are those that have alergies and it cause big problems , thank goodness that i dont suffer that

[Jimboy]

Rob , have you ever carved one of your ringnecks , that would be a challenge l,m sure , big sellers too l bet.

[wwbirds]

One of my clients wants me to carve a chukar first so that is the plan.

I am thinking the hours required to carve and paint a ringneck would make it difficult to sell. I am guessing a lifesize rooster would take close to 200 hours as that is what it takes for a goose or sea duck.

Rob

[wwbirds]

September 1 2012 and in additon to hunting season opening we start to plan and carve our winter projects!