The History of Decoy Carving 

The History of Decoy Carving 

Duck decoys are considered a vital form of North American Folk Art, having been revered and collected for over a century.

Native Americans knew that birds attract other birds, and for more than 1,000 years they made decoys adorned with feathers, brush, and mud for hunting purposes. Early colonists took note and began carving wood duck decoys from white pine and white cedar which were both durable and buoyant. By the mid 19th-century, around the time of the Civil War, carving duck decoys had evolved into an art form and hunters were carving them as decorative pieces to be displayed in their homes

Start by researching the species and breeds of waterfowl you want to carve by browsing books or online sources. If you have access to a taxidermy mount, that’s the most ideal model to begin carving from. You can best see the composition of the head and neck, the flare of the tail, and the size,  spacing, and color of the feathers.
The next step is to assemble the tools and materials you will need to start carving and painting your duck.
Tools
According to Willy McDonald, a carving educator and waterfowl expert who operates TheDuckBlind.com selling carving and art supplies, you don’t need vast experience using woodworking tools to begin carving duck decoys. However, a beginner should be comfortable with the tools and know how to use them safely before they start.
The key is learning where to remove the wood.
The traditional way to carve a duck decoy is to use only hand tools such as a basic knife, chisel, and rasp, but power tools can make the process go much faster. Dremel tools and powered sanders are commonly used, but each carver will find a set of tools that suits them best. As long as the tool removes wood based on your direction, then you’re set. The key is learning where to remove the wood.
Decorative wood decoys are carved from softwoods such as basswood and can be ordered as a single block of wood that is suitable to begin carving.