Stuffed Canvas Mallard

Stuffed Canvas Drake Mallard

I bought this unique little decoy for Christmas 2013.  It was an ebay purchase, and unfortunately I had relied on the ebay listing to record the story behind it.  When I started this blog and tried to go back and look at my old purchases I realized they don't keep the listings that long.  I know I paid $44 for the decoy, and I'll list the story below, as I remember it.

West wall of my gun room

I don't have the name of the owner or maker of the decoy, but from what I remember it was a homemade decoy and it dates back to the 1930's.  It was hunted over regularly in the Puget Sound-area, and helped provide a key source of food for the family throughout the Great Depression, and for many years to follow.

Damage around the neck

I have reached out to the seller to see if I can confirm that story.  I hope it's true, what a unique history!  The decoy itself is a little worse for the wear, and it's obvious some of the original stuffing was replaced at some point in recent years.  Hopefully by displaying the decoy where I have, out of direct sunlight, it will hold up for years to come.

Alongside the Longtail and the Bufflehead

The mallard is on display on the west wall of my gun room, along with the Captain Jobes Longtail and the David O'Neal Bufflehead.