Decorative Duck Decoys
Decoy Ducks (whether full-sized or miniature, "smoothie" or burned feather detail) are carved from tupelo or basswood. If they are competition grade, they must also float correctly and are judged in water. They are painted with oil paint. All eyes are glass eyes.
Below are examples of many of the competition-grade decorative duck decoys that Hank has carved. To inquire about purchasing any of these carvings or to commission Hank for your own custom carving, please contact him.
Canada Goose
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This carving won first place in the Advanced Class at the 2012 Ward World Championships for floating decoys. This is a full-sized floating decorative
decoy. Click here to view more photos
decoy. Click here to view more photos
Green-winged Teal Hen
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This hen (female) is a floating decorative decoy that is full sized, about 8 inches long. This is the smallest dabbling duck species and can be found all over the U.S. at various times of the year. It is a very active and agile duck. It feeds mainly by dabbling its bill at the water’s surface or in the mud. View slideshow
Greater Scaup Hen
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Very similar in size and appearance to the lesser scaup hen. This carving is about 14 inches long. This is a diving duck which means it dives underwater to search for and find food- as opposed to a dabbling duck that stays on top of the water and feeds on the water surface. View slideshow
Greater Scaup Drake
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The head color of green iridescence on this diving duck is different from the lesser scaup drake which is a purplish gloss. The greater is 15 inches long which is slightly larger that the lesser scaup. This duck is a drake, the term used to signify a male of the species.View slideshow
Common Goldeneye Hen
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The Common Goldeneye is a medium sized sea duck aptly named for its golden-yellow eye. Adult females like this one have a brownish red head and a mostly gray body. They are diving birds that feed underwater on crustaceans and mollusks. Hank has positioned this 16 inch carving as it prepares to stick its head underwater. View slideshow
Pied-billed Grebe
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These small aquatic birds with a chicken-like bill rarely fly, electing to escape danger by diving underwater. They are common to lakes and ponds across North America and often float with just their heads above water. Each of these carvings is about 6 inches long and have their legs showing in the rear under the rump. Hank has taken special care to present the feathers in a random way that reflects their waterlogged and saturated state. View slideshow
Green-winged Teal Miniature Hen
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This hen is in a sleeping position as she floats in the water by a rocky beach. This carving is 6 inches at its widest point. The bird itself is about 4 inches in length. The scene — a sandy beach, rocks and water — are all carved or created just for this piece. View slideshow
Ring-necked Drake — Smoothie
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This duck is a "smoothie" — one in which there is no burned feather detail. It is simply carved, sanded and painted. This duck is about 17 inches long. This diving duck is an excellent swimmer that spends a lot of time on or near fresh water, especially during their breeding season. View slideshow
Ring-necked Drake — Decorative
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This duck is the same as the smoothie on this page. This difference is the feathers on this bird have the feather detail burned into the wood before it is painted. This step creates a huge amount of realism to the carving. View slideshow
