Working decoys, carved in cork

Around 1995 I became unsatisfied with plastic production decoys, so I decided to start carving my own rig. After a lot of research I chose to use cork as my carving medium, because it floats on the water more naturally than any other material. My first carvings were a pair of black ducks, and the first time I hunted over them I shot a drake black duck.

With cork I can carve a rig of decoys that look animated by varying the head positions and attitudes of the body. This creates a rig that looks alive and more realistic. Cork decoys are heavier and ride rough water more like a duck, and they reduce reflection by absorbing light thanks to the natural texture. Cork decoys just look more like ducks! Another advantage of cork: if you accidentally shoot them they won't sink, and pellet holes can easily be repaired.

I carve traditional working decoys intended to be hunted over. These decoys are made to last generations, something you can hand down to your grandchildren.

Materials

The bodies are made of high density tan cork. The heads are white cedar with glass eyes. They are painted with flat acrylics for a no‑glare finish.

Cork is made from the bark of the cork oak. The bark is shredded and processed in one of two ways. Corkboard is made when the cork is put in a mold and subjected to high heat and pressure; this causes the natural resins in the bark to act as a binder and hold the shredded pieces together. Tan cork is also put in a mold, but instead of adding heat an artificial binder is added to make it stick together. This makes a denser, more durable decoy.

Commissions

I am able to carve any species of duck or goose. You can choose from standard (10% larger than life size) to super magnum (any size you choose). To place an order or for more information, contact us at 850-819-5829 or capttodd@backbayadventures.com.