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Wooden Decoys
Capt. Ross handcarves these decoys from either juniper
(white cedar), white pine or cottonwood. Full size swans feature
light, hollow bodies with wooden heads. A wooden
keel m with heavy weight is a must to make these huge birds
self-righting. Head positions and postures vary and make each
decoy truly a one-of-a-kind carving!
P.G. also makes a 1/3 size swan that is ideal for mantles or as a dining
table centerpiece. They are made the same as a gunning decoy, but
not hollow.
P.G. handpaints all of his decoys with oil paints (using only
brushes). This results in a carving with deep rich colors
that will develop a fine patina over the years. He paints
decoys in the gunning tradition that utilizes an "impressionistic" style
that strays from detailing each individual feather,
but instead uses techniques to simulate the overall look of the feather patterns.
Decoys are weighted to be self-righting and include a leather strap
for rigging an anchor line.
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| whistling swan, full size
cottonwood body, red cedar neck and white pine head (2005)
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| 1/3 scale whistling swan
3 pieces white pine (1995)
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| Cork Decoys
These blocks feature tan "Chesapeake cork" for the body
with a wooden head, keel and tail insert. Keels are connected through
the body to the head and tail insert via galvanized lag screws. Additonally,
these parts are epoxied to the cork. This produces a solid and tough
hunting decoy.
The same painting methods are used as described for wooden bodied decoys.
Decoys are weighted to be self-righting.
"I prefer to make my cork hunting decoys with thick, tough
bills and necks and use oil paints which make these birds
durable during tough use and very capable of tolling
in the fowl."
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| antiqued swan head profile mounted on
the bottom of an old bushel basket found in the marshes near Saxis Island,
VA
white pine (2004)
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