Carving Out a Duck Hunt
Tom Modin doesn’t see himself as much of an artist, but his hand-carved, hand-painted decoys say otherwise.
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...
Turkeyless Triumphs: A Successful Season Without a Harvest
America’s largest game bird is a formidable opponent – elusive, suspicious, wary. But is leaving the hunt empty-handed really a loss when there is still so much to gain? I am still somewhat of a newbie when it comes to turkey hunting. Whether it’s spring or...
Estates Reign Supreme at Copley’s Winter Sale 2021
On February 19th and 20th, Copley Fine Art Auctions, the nation’s premier decoy and sporting art auction house, will host their Winter Sale 2021. To accommodate numerous estates, the company’s auction has expanded to a virtual two-day format. The auction will begin at...
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
Perhaps the only art form to originate in America, the decoy is, in essence, a historical document of our golden age of waterfowling.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...