In the mid to latter part of the 19th Century, millions of ducks and geese wintered over or migrated through the Chesapeake Bay. Hundreds of hunters and watermen capitalized on this onslaught of waterfowl in order to make a living during tough times on the Bay. This also provided great sporting activity for the more wealthy from nearby cities like Baltimore, New York and Washington D. C.
Nowhere else in the country did waterfowl migration have such a great impact on a local economy. The demand for the canvasback delicacy and the sporting demand created the market gunner. In order to get the best results from his efforts on the Bay, watermen and hunters alike began creating their own decoy spreads. Large decoy spreads of over 500 decoys or more were common and were nothing more than tools of the trade to the hunter just as was his shot gun, skiff, boots and foul weather gear. It was only many years later that these decoys became recognized as a true art form and as such has become the cherished possession of many collectors all over this country.
This web site is a dedication to those watermen, hunters and decoy carvers that produced thousands of decoys in what is now known as the "upper bay" style.
I have been collecting decoys since 1971 but I certainly don't profess to be an expert in decoy identification. I buy what I like and can afford and learn along the way. So if you see any errors, drop me an email and let me know. I'll be happy to hear from you on any subject dealing with decoys! With that said, I hope you enjoy the website!
