DECOY HISTORY
As humans found the need to gather food they discovered making replicas of the things they hunted helped bring the hunted closer. The decoys progressed from simple reeds bound together, to the realistic decoys that adorn homes today. Many of the birds that were hunted years ago are now protected. However, the art of decoys continue to be popular for many to create and many to collect. As one learns, they find decoys can be very different. Some are rustic from chainsaw style to a fully carved and painted, with lifelike features. Some would easily mistake them for a live bird. Decoys to be used are usually made very durable with simple painting and features meant to be identified from afar. They can be life size or made larger, called magnums. Usually someone will make several decoys to hunt over. When set in the water and arraigned to attract birds, they are called a decoy rig. Slicks are another form of decoy with simple carving, smooth body and paint applied to make you want to rub the feathers to see if they are real. They become mantle pieces. At the top levels are the fully carved, wood burned and painted to make the most realistic looking bird possible. Of course time and effort equate to higher prices for collectors. Is it art? The debate continues.