The 55,000-Year-Old Turkey Calls

The 55,000-Year-Old Turkey Calls

A South Carolina man transforms ancient cypress, some over 55,100 years old and stood during the Glacial Period, into top-tier turkey calls. Researchers at the University of Georgia dated the cypress log at 55,100 years old, but admitted it may, in fact, be much, much...
Gertrude the Mason Brant Decoy

Gertrude the Mason Brant Decoy

Born in a small shop behind William Mason’s home, Gertrude the decoy would live a life most fulfilling. Here are a few of the many stories she has to tell. Hello, my name is Gertrude. I was named after Bob’s Aunt Gertrude Reade, a woman with a special gleam in...
True to the Bird: An Oysterman’s Sporting Legacy

True to the Bird: An Oysterman’s Sporting Legacy

Oysterman and artist, Gilbert Maggioni, married late and had no children. He passed his legacy to two young men, William Rhett of Beaufort and Grainger McKoy of Sumter. Gilbert Maggioni was an ornery old cuss most people said. He cussed the weather and he cussed the...
Blocks of Gold: The American Decoy

Blocks of Gold: The American Decoy

Perhaps the only art form to originate in America, the decoy is, in essence, a historical document of our golden age of waterfowling. Hunting was a very normal activity for young adolescents where I grew up in rural middle Georgia. We started with rabbits and...
Million Dollar Decoys?

Million Dollar Decoys?

Crowell decoys topped Copley’s record-setting $3 million sale. Copley Fine Art Auctions, LLC, the nation’s premier decoy and sporting art auction house, realized more than $3 million at its Sporting Sale 2019 on July 25 in Plymouth, Massachusetts. The auction, which...