My new gunners

[Jethro]

...just finished up a dozen.
I was going for a blocky "Restle" style gunner.
This was my first time carving and it was'nt as difficult as I thought it would be. Besides laying out a template and glueing the foam together, it took around 30-45 min per decoy.
Next comes the burlap and then the fun part, painting. :D
...already got ideas for the next dozen :dizzy:

http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/541/6010Foamer-med.JPG

[just ducky]

Pretty cool! I assume those are just the Herter's heads that you can buy, right? I never thought of making some, but you've got my interest now. Might have to give it a shot myself.

[Northwood]

How much time will you have into one decoy from start to finish? How much will a finished decoy cost you? I have seen a lot of posts about people talking about how they make their own decoys and I always wondered if the main reason for making decoys was just because it was a hobby, money saving reasons, or the satisfaction of luring ducks in over a home made spread! At any rate I commend all that do it.....seems like it would be very satisfying......I know its satisfying catch a hawg brown trout on a hand tied fly.....gotta be close to the same feeling. Post more pics when you get em painted!

[duckman3.5]

Not a bad lookin' block. It'll bring ya' some birds. To give some insite on making your own decoys, in the end you don't really save any money carving foam. It's more of a hobby for me and it gives a little something extra to shoot birds over your own blocks. He!! this summer I'm building a marsh boat and all I can think about is how great it's gonna' be to shoot birds from my boat over my decoys! Also and I'm sure Safetyman will back me up here, if you start carving anything other than faom, such as cork or cedar you are gonna spend a LOT of mony on supplies....but it's like an illness you just can'y stop. :yikes:

[SafetyMan]

I always wondered if the main reason for making decoys was just because it was a hobby, money saving reasons, or the satisfaction of luring ducks in over a home made spread!
There is NOTHING like watching a bull canvasback stool to a couple of your own handmade decoys, and land right smack in the middle of them and look at them like "whassup guys?"
....but it's like an illness you just can'y stop. :yikes:
Ed Zachary.

If you're thinking of saving a couple bucks, forget about it. I have roughly $40-$50 per bird I carve invested... granted, foamers can be done less expensive, but what's your time worth?

If you're looking for an extremely satisfying hobby, that rewards you with ducks in your face, you've found the place!! :evilsmile

[SafetyMan]

And Jeff...

I geve you my .02 on T.O.S., so I'm not gonna beat you up any more here ;)

Keep at it, and you'll soon be addicted....

[lawnboy]

Nice how are you going to burlap them?

[lawnboy]

Also how dose it float? Do you need a keel? And did you put a bold for the head?

[bucknduck]

nice gunner! keep us posted on your progress.