Ohio Decoys

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IF YOU HAVE ANY INFORMATION ON THE DECOY'S BELOW OR ANY SUGGESTIONS TO ADD OTHER OHIO DECOYS...PLEASE EMAIL:

mark@restledeoys.com 

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Mr. Erwin Lenz Decoy

1918-1981
Oak Harbor, Ohio. 

Blue Bill decoy est. circa 1940 

Charles Redding Decoy

"Preener" decoy.

Bark Creek, Ohio area (Sandusky Area).
Circa 1940's (Note carved Bill in feathers)

George J. (Jacob) Mossing Decoy
1898-1967. Lived in Swanton, Ohio
Ohio Farmer by Trade.
"Ohio Bluebill Decoy."  EST. Circa 1925's. ...
Per reports George hunted the Oak Harbor area.

Frank James Noe (1881–1960) Columbus, Ohio.
Cork Black Duck est. circa 1925-30 !



Circa 1900-20's Western Lake Erie Gun Clubs Canvasback decoys with A.K. branded on the bottom.

Unknown Carver

Circa 1900-20's Western Lake Erie Gun Club Canvasback decoy. (About 3/4 size)  Very Unique !

Unknown Carver

Carl E. Moze Decoys

Euclid, Ohio 1925-2007

Black Duck Rig circa 1950

Carl was a member of the Euclid Rifle and Gun Club in Montiville Ohio. (His wife "Elsie" said "Carl carved these Black Ducks to be used at their hunting club in 1950) Elsie was also an avid hunter and dog breeder.(Elsie passed away in 2013)

When Carl branded his decoys he could not fit his full name on the bottom so he branded them; "C.E.MOZE"

Unfortunately this Black Duck rig never hit the blind in Montiville as these have never been hunted over nor a keel applied.

 Drake Mallard Moze Decoys

Early Ohio Hollow Black Duck

Philadelphia School Style, Tack Eyes,

Mostly Original Paint showing light gunning wear.

Circa Pre-1899

Fred Harris Decoys

Canvasback Drake Est. Circa 1935

Fred was a punter at Winous Pt. Gun Club, he also rubbed elbows with Jack Rider.

Nelson & Phyllis Thomas Decoys

Medina, Ohio

Mini Bluebill Pair Circa 1973

Standing Canada Goose circa 1975

Scotty Lawton Decoys

Mr. Al "Scotty" Lawton (1932-1999)

Maumee Bay, Ohio 

Scotty took individual attention to paint and form of his decoys. Especially the detail carving of his wood heads. His decoys where stamped "Lawton" on the bottom. Pine heads and keels on cork bodies.

Cork Blue Bill with detailed carved wood head Lawton Decoy   CA. 1949-50

Tom Hurrell Decoys

Port Clinton, Ohio

Canvasback Drake Hurrell Decoy  CA. 1940

Conrad Jacob Klopping Decoys

Toledo, Ohio

Mr. Conrad Jacob Klopping (1894-1985)

Klopping Decoys are Branded "C. Klopping" on underside,

somtimes under keel.

Glass eyes and classic full crop carved necks .

Blackduck Klopping Decoy Circa 1930'S

Note:Possible Hunter's paint done a very long time ago shows traces of redhead paint underneath top coat.



High Head Klopping Blue Bill with original and working repaint

Ted Caspar Decoys

Ted "Pry" Caspar

Hull Rd. Sandusky, Ohio

Canvasback Drake Caspar Decoy    CA. 1930's

 Harry Drenning Decoys

Fremont, Ohio

Harry was a local boat builder .

Ringmate Pair of Mallard Drenning Decoys   CA. 1960

Ringmate Pair of  GoldenEye Drenning Decoys   CA. 1960

Philip Soukup Decoys

Mr. Philip A. Soukup

Mentor, Ohio

Ringmate Pair of Mallard Soukup Decoys  CA. 1960-1965

Soukup Black Duck Decoy  CA. 1960-1965

Harry Zeck Decoys 

Sandusky, Ohio

"Rare" Redhead Drake Zeck Decoy   CA. 1920

George Gulau Decoys

Marblehead, Ohio

Canvasback Ringmate Pairs Gulau Decoys   CA. 1945

Don Switzer Decoys

Mr. Donald R. Switzer

Toledo, Ohio

Passed away 01-07-2013 (89 years old).

Drake GoldenEye Switzer Decoy  est. Circa 1940's

Donald Schweck Decoys

Mr. Donald Schweck  (10/01/1907 -03/15/1986)

Bayview, Ohio

Blue Bill Drake: Donald Schweck Decoy    CA. 1925-1930

Charles Bogert Decoys

Mr. Charles A. Bogert

Sandusky, Ohio

Charles A. Bogert operated a jewelry store at 205 West Market Street in Sandusky which he shared a store front with Nicholas J. Abele (Camera Shop) From about 1915 through the 1930s. Later on...Mr. Bogert was also the proprietor of the Sandusky Recreation Center. He was a nationally known trapshooter. For a time he managed the Camp Perry National Rifle matches during the summer months. Later in life Charles owned a gun shop on Jackson street in Sandusky.

Mr. Bogert passed away in 1945.

Canvasback Drake Bogert Decoy  CA. 1930-40

Al Carlson Decoys

Marblehead, Ohio

Canvasback  Al Carlson Decoy circa :1953

 Mini  Al Carlson Decoys

John "Jack" Doerflinger Decoys

1913-2000

Sandusky, Ohio

  John Doerflinger  went by "Jack" and was a very active hunter, so was his Father (Edgar). His decoys are made of balsa wood (body), with a inset weighted keel. John used good old house paints, the yellow bottom on the Ruddy decoy was from left over paint from his parents kitchen color,(made in John's High school years : graduated in 1932) the heads are made out of yellow pine. John made only about a dozen of these Ruddies. When he worked in Detroit (1950's) he made a lot of Canvasback decoys. Hunting for Canvasbacks is what drove him. The Canvasback decoys where made to hunt exclusively the choppy waters of Sandusky Bay and Lake Erie.

   His Father Edgar owned the E.F. Doerflinger Machine Works on Meigs Street, they mostly supported the local marine business and made all the mechanical parts (shafts, struts, rudders) for Lyman Boat Co. located in Sandusky. Being active Duck Hunters both John and his Father Edgar knew and hunted with most of the decoy makers of Sandusky Bay area. John gave very few of any of his decoys away (maybe 2 or 3 in his life). He lost a few by Johnson's island during a storm that caused them to stay the night on the island during the late 30's and only recovered 75% of the rig. John (A.K.A. Jack) passed away in the year 2000 at the age of 87, but his decoy heritage will last forever in the hands of his grandson Rob Doerflinger Brownell.

 Rare Drake Ruddy Doerflinger Decoy  CA. 1930-1932

 Rare Hen Ruddy Doerflinger Decoy  CA. 1930-1932

Ringmate Pair

Drake Canvasback Doerflinger Decoy  CA. 1950-1952

Rare Coot Doerflinger Decoy  CA. 1930-1932

Reg Vicary Decoys

Mr. Reginald Wilfred Vicary (1903-1983)

Some decoys are also listed as Vickery Decoys

Rossford, Ohio

Hen Mallard  CA.1930'S

Canvasback Ringmates  Vicary Decoys   CA.1930's

Adam Hartung Decoys

Capt. Adam Hartung (1860-1909)

Sandusky, Ohio

Adam was a fireman in Sandusky, Ohio

who carved decoys in his down time.

Blue Bill circa 1890's Adam Hartung Decoy

Red Head circa 1890's Adam Hartung Decoy

Blue Bill / Redhead Rig Circa 1890's Adam Hartung Decoys

Vince Sedlon Decoys

Sandusky, Ohio

"Cork Body/Wood Head" Hen Mallard Sedlon Decoy  CA. 1930-1935

Harold Thomas Decoys

Toledo, Ohio

Cork Goose Decoy Harold Thomas Decoy  CA 1940'S

Lester Ted Gensman Decoys

Oak Harbor, Ohio

Canvasback  Circa : 1940's Ted Gensman Decoy

Black Duck  Circa :1940's Ted Gensman Decoy

Canvasback  Circa : 1940's Ted Gensman Decoy

Rare Field Goose set up ! 

Josef Wooster

of Ashley, Ohio

AKA "Buckeye Joe" Decoys

April 29. 1934-November 10, 2008

Joe was a master decoy carver and wildlife artist. An author, storyteller and consummate duck hunter, Joe's love of nature spurred his passion for decoy carving. Joe's creative and distinctive style of carving has placed him among the most renowned national and international artists worldwide. His carvings have been displayed in numerous museums across the country including the Smithsonian Museum of Art.

Ruddy duck drake in winter plumage  carved in 1981

"Buckeye Joe" Decoy

Unfinished Wooster "Buckeye Joe" Decoy

 National Decoy Company

Owned and opertated by Ron Daehner. Decoys where made in the back of Suburban Taxidermy in Bedford, Ohio.

GoldenEye: National Decoy Company

Blue Bill: National Decoy Company

Black Duck: National Decoy Company

Toledo Decoy Company

Made from 1996-2012

Canvasback/Blue Bill: Toledo Decoy Company

Robert LaCourse Decoys

Black Duck LaCourse Decoy

Fowl Foolers Decoys

 S & K Decoys

 Black Duck: S & K Decoys

Hudanski Decoys

Hudanski Black Duck Decoy

John Sharp Decoy   

(Kent, Ohio)

Sharp's carvings are one-piece reductions from sections of logs of American hardwoods, primarily walnut and cherry. Beyond the initial use of chainsaws, the work is accomplished with hand cutting tools, many of which are his own make and design. His work has had a major influence on the interpretive class since its inception in 1988 having won the World Championship ten times. In 2005, he won Best in Show in Interpretive Wood Sculpture at the Ward World Championship with a pair of Parakeets.

John Sharp Hen Mallard Decoy

Ken Wahl Decoy

Sandusky Bay, Ohio

Blue Bill Drake Wahl Decoy CA 1917

Blue Bill Hen Wahl Decoy CA 1917

 Canvasback Drake Wahl Decoy CA 1917

Jack Rider Decoys

Mr. John "Jack" Frederick  Rider (1881-1967)

 Jack Rider Page Link

 

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 Matched pair or Jack Rider mini Wood Ducks

Contemporary carver Tom Wood

Columbus, Ohio

Woodies Decoy Works Link 

 Bufflehead Tom Wood Decoy

  Mr. Riegler Decoys

was the Union County Ohio Game protector in the 1960's

Blue Bill R. W. Riegler Decoy CA. 1971

Wood Duck R. W. Riegler Decoy   CA. 1970

 Paul Busick Decoys

Port Clinton , Ohio

Famous Maker of lake Erie lay out boats

Sleeper Black Duck : Busick Decoys

Production (small amount) Foam Sleeper Blue Bill

"Blocks By Busick"

Bill Enright Decoys

 Mr. William T. Enright (1913-1979)

Bill Enright Page Link





John Sharon Decoys

 Mr. John Sharon ( 1921-1998)

 John Sharon Page Link