In the spring the migration would start back to the Far north of Canada and the Northern plains of the United States. Back through the big end of the funnel would come the waterfowl that escaped the keen eyes of the hunters. The birds would be coming from the Carolinas, Florida and even tropical points further south. Flying back up the Chesapeake, along the age old Atlantic flyway, they would pass Annapolis, then Baltimore and on to Havre de Grace, The sky would sometimes grow dark with the millions of Ducks and Geese headed for their primordial home in the fastness and far reaches of North American wilderness.

During pre-colonial times Indians who populated the the Chesapeake region used crude but effective waterfowl decoys made from mud, straw and sticks to bring the birds closer so that they could shoot or net them. In fact, these are still used on the lower Eastern shore of Maryland by local hunters and go by the name of "tump decoys" Starting in the early 19th century, settlers started to make decoys out of wood. The cities springing up around and close to the Chesapeake were a ready market for many waterfowl species. The Canvasback duck preferred by many as the most delicious and palatable. Baltimore, Philadelphia, and Washington were thriving and their appetite for waterfowl growing with increasing population.

Canvasback ducks in particular were served in the finest eating establishments. The Canvasback was given high status as premiere gourmet fare, served along with the very best oysters and Russian caviar. It has been said by those who had the privilege to eat the vegetarian Canvasback that no finer meat has ever existed in song or story.

Chesapeake Waterman who oystered and fished during the spring and summer found that they could supplement their income during the slow fall and winter months by shooting waterfowl for the growing markets. To lure the birds decoys were devised, shaped from wood that made a lifelike clone of the real thing.

At the time men who became decoy carvers made decoys for everyday utilitarian hunting purposes. Little did they know that someday their creations would be considered as folk art and some decoys bring more money at auction than the carver made in his lifetime.

At the head of the Chesapeake at Havre de Grace, Maryland, John Holly is credited with making the very first early decoy for use on the Susquehanna flats. Because of the vast beds of wild celery, Canvasback ducks by the tens of thousands frequented the flats in the fall and early winter. A real cottage industry was born here of carvers, hunters and support staff. Many think that the Canvasback duck actually got it’s name from the canvas bags used to send the fowl by train to Baltimore and Philadelphia. After arriving at their destinations, the bags would be marked "canvas back" meaning to return the bag for reuse to Havre de Grace. In those days they recycled out of necessity. Today we do it for the environment.

Close to Baltimore, opulent gun and hunting clubs sprung up near the Middle river, Back river, Gunpowder river and Miller’s island. These clubs catered to the "sports" who had the money and leisure time to hunt ducks. A who’s who of the gilded age made the trek to these gunning areas including Presidents, Robber Barons * (or Captains of Industry)* and later even Babe Ruth.

Further down the bay at Crisfield, the famous Ward brothers brought decoy carving into the 20^th century. Steve and Lem Ward are credited with making the transition from utilitarian waterfowl carving to decorative carving. The Ward’s "Waterfowl counterfeits in wood" started a trend in decoy realism that continues today across North America and around the world. You could say that they are the fathers of modern decoy carving. Both were barbers, who only drove bikes around town and wrote poems on the bottom of their decoy creations many times with a religious flair.. They seemed content with their lives as peaceable decoy carves living in the land of pleasant living.. After going to a decoy show in New York, for the first time ever leaving their local environs, they were later heard to say "why the hell would anyone want to live there".

At the mouth of the Chesapeake, on the Virginia side, a style of decoy making evolved that is considered among the best. Ira Hudson of Chincoteague Island was known for the wide variety and many styles of decoys he carved and the total output of decoys carved over his lifetime. Mr. Hudson carved ducks, Geese and Shorebirds that are said to number in the 10's of thousands in total output over is lifetime. Hudson's Decoys are thought to be high on the scale and rank of Folk art Decoys as to form and color. The barrier islands there and the bays behind them made for superb wintering grounds for many species of waterfowl. In fact, throughout the Chesapeake region, decoy carving became an institution. It can truly call itself the Decoy Capital of the World in terms of total production, craftsmanship and high working utility of efficient tools used to lure myriad Waterfowl.

Antique waterfowl decoys are now considered prime examples of American folk art. The original carvers had a laid back attitude concerning decoys and one long dead carver said that he didn’t think any decoy would ever be really worth more than three or four dollars. Tell that to the modern decoys auction houses where prime examples can bring as much as prime real estate. This year one decoy almost passed the one million dollar mark and this benchmark will soon be broken if prices continue to appreciate like they have for many years. It's been estimated that Decoys valued above the one million mark already exist in private collections and museums.  The most expensive Decoys to sell so far at Auction were two A. Elmer Crowell Decoys.  Crowell was a noted Decoy Carver from Cape Cod, Mass. One Decoy sold for $ 801,500 and another fetched a mere $ 684,500 at a recent Guyette and Schmidt auction.

In 1978 for the first time a Decoy topped the $ 50,000 mark.  Only eight years later in 1986 $ 100,000 was a fairly common Auction price.  By 2000, $ 200,000 was not unheard of and some select Decoys passed the half million mark.  If only my stocks appreciated this way. 

Except for the Ward brother decoys and a few other Chesapeake bay decoys, Maryland decoys do not bring the very high prices accorded to some decoys from other areas. You could still buy a new car or two for what you may pay for a prime Chesapeake example. Possibly because bay decoys are too numerous to be considered rare has something to do with it. Also compared to other areas, bay decoys were used and abused for market hunting and guided sport hunting. Compared to the Chesapeake, other geographical areas, it could be said, played at decoy making and duck hunting. In Maryland, Decoy carving was taken to a higher level because of the perfect environment for the birds that caused the immense flocks to linger and feed in the rich bay waters.  There was a type of organization to the carving effort that came not only from the professional Waterman families that helped make Decoys, but the Waterman themselves who by everyday close association with Nature and the bay,  gave a unique understanding to Waterfowl behavior.  In other parts of the continent actual Factories made many Decoys, like the well Mason Decoys of Detroit, or small production carvers who made a limited number of Decoys for local sporting clubs. On the Chesapeake, many of the carvers were full-time Waterman, who made a living Fishing, Crabbing, Boat building and all assorted occupations that go with the lifestyle. This makes for decoys that were perfected in form and structure to be real working Decoys, carved as such. In some other areas of the country, you get the impression that Decoys often had a contrived appearance to appeal to a possible sale to a well heeled city hunter that might take a liking to a Decoy for the den fireplace mantle and pay more for it than a strictly hunting decoy.  This in fact, is what the Ward brothers and some other Bay carves did in later years, but during the prime market hunting years between the mid-1850's and the 1930's, this was seldom the case.  .

Because Chesapeake decoys, particularly the Upper Chesapeake ones, were used as tools in a vibrant, commercial trade, they wore out fairly quick. The paint was usually the first to falter and then the head assembly. Because decoys were painted on a regular basis, many coats of paint built up over a period of years. These value detracting overcoats of paint are not as appealing to decoy collectors as decoys that have only the original paint coating. Decoys of the Upper Chesapeake tend to be considered "Working" decoys compared to what is termed "Decorative" Decoys.  Instead of being used on the weekend by a sports hunter on a freshwater pond in the Mid-West, real Chesapeake work 'in decoys saw brackish or salt water use.  Because of market hunting use, harsh environmental factors and being tossed around in open boats, Upper bay decoys were made to take a lot of abuse and did.

Upper Chesapeake bay decoys from the Susquehanna flats in particular have been painted over a lot. Decoys over one hundred years old may have been painted over a few dozen times or more. Because the over paint layers protected the original paint, if professionally removed the original paint may be in better condition than an original coat of paint exposed to the affects of the environment. Even sitting on a shelf, decoys and the original paint coat age. Ultraviolet light, smoke and oils from handling all take their toll. Decoys that are museum and investment quality should always be handled with care.

A few professional decoy restorers are making inroads into the Upper Chesapeake decoy market by developing a method of restoration that removes much of the old over painted coats of paint to reveal the original paint surface that is some cases may be over a hundred years old. This not only brings back the historical element of the original decoy carvers intention, but makes for a very appealing and beautiful decoy, and erases the stigma of painted over decoys, making for decoys that will increase in value.  Recently in Forbes magazine there was an article about decoy investing.  It is a very strong growing trend and currently surpasses the stock market for growth almost reminiscent of the late 90's technology stocks.  There is a growing trend for investors to be supplanting collectors in the quest for a decoy bargain. Investors tend to have small regard for the investment outside the realm of money, whereas collectors are more interested in the psychic reward of decoy collecting.

  Probably the biggest and most famous of all Decoy shows is the Easton Waterfowl Festival. Classic wood decoys some at least 150 years old from major collections will be represented at Auction.  Many tables selling decoys and related items, including wildfowl art will be present along with many displays of historic waterfowling artifacts.  This years festival is November 7-12 in Beautiful and Historic Easton, MD. Easton is just a short drive across the Chesapeake bay bridge and close to major population centers such as Annapolis, Washington and Baltimore.  On the Lower Eastern Shore, The Ward Museum in Salisbury, Maryland will host it's Chesapeake Wildfowl Expo October 13-15.  The expo highlights the world renown work of Lem and Steve Ward and also contemporary Decoy carvers and fine artists. Due to the global economy and the internet, decoy collecting is increasingly becoming a world wide phenomena.  Sites such as www.chesapeakeolddecoys.com give much insight into the exciting world of Chesapeake decoys and the Waterman's culture of the bay. In a digital, impersonal age, where plastic and wires rule, it’s pleasurable to step back in time to a more simple way of life, organic and heartfelt. Imagine the lack of cell phone tones and madding traffic. Out on the bay you can hear the call of wild Geese and the wirring of Canvasbacks wings. You know a few decoy carvers even today are still busy near the wood stove, carrying on the best of Chesapeake traditions. Your mind wanders as you imagine the raspy sound of tool on wood, being shaved into a decoy.

By Mike Robinson