Masterfully Carved Northern Shoveler Duck Decoys for Hunting and Collecting

The Alluring Northern Shoveler Duck Decoys

The northern shoveler duck is a distinctive looking waterfowl prized by waterfowl hunters and birdwatchers alike. With their oversized bill and vibrant plumage, the northern shoveler presents a unique challenge for carvers who wish to accurately recreate them in decoy form. In this article, we'll explore the history, anatomy, and behavior of the northern shoveler to understand what makes them such a popular and unique target for decoy carvers.

Anatomy of the Northern Shoveler

The most striking feature of the male northern shoveler duck is its comically large spoon-shaped bill, which gives the species its name. The bill is black with a yellowish tip and serves as an adaptation for filter feeding. The northern shoveler sweeps its bill back and forth through the water to sieve small invertebrates, seeds, and plant material from the surface. Behind the distinctive bill, the head is iridescent green and the breast is white.

The shoveler's back and wings are blackish-blue with a white crescent marking at the shoulder. The shoveler's belly is chestnut colored with mottled tan and white feathering. The female northern shoveler is similarly patterned but with a smaller bill and overall duller plumage. In flight, the northern shoveler has rapid wingbeats and flies with its feet trailing behind the tail.

Behaviors of the Northern Shoveler

Northern shovelers breed across North America and parts of Eurasia, wintering in southern climates. They inhabit shallow wetlands and marshes and can be seen dabbling at the surface and tipping forward to feed. Northern shovelers are social birds and migrate and winter in flocks numbering in the hundreds.

During breeding season, male northern shovelers perform elaborate courtship displays. They puff out their chest, jerk their head back, and produce a mellow rattling call. Groups of males will also swim around the female in circles while pointing their bills up. After mating, the female lays about 9 eggs in a well-hidden ground nest lined with down.

Shovelers are wary birds but can be attracted to decoys if they are set up properly. Hunters often use a jerk rig with a single or small group of shoveler decoys to draw the curious ducks within range. Careful decoy positioning is important when targeting wary shovelers.

Carving Northern Shoveler Decoys

The unusually shaped bill and vibrant plumage of male northern shovelers makes them a favorite among decoy carvers. When carving northern shoveler decoys, attention to detail is paramount in capturing the duck's unique features.

Block Carving the Body

Most northern shoveler decoys are carved from blocks of basswood, white cedar, or cork. The carver starts by roughing out the oval-shaped body and head. Care is taken to taper the body properly from the chest to the tail. The bottom is flattened so the decoy sits properly on the water.

The Sleek Head and Bill

After shaping the body, the carver can turn attention to the all-important head. The head is rounded on top and carves down nearly seamlessly into the neck and back. The bill is by far the trickiest part. It must be meticulously carved with a long, gradually widening spoon shape to represent a feeding shoveler.

The eyes are drilled and weight is removed from the bottom of the bill so it sits correctly at rest. Real feathers can be inlaid into the bill or it can be painted yellow with a black nail marking the open mouth. The vibrant iridescent green head coloring is replicated with careful paintwork.

Painting and Finishing

Painting the shoveler decoy's intricately patterned feathering requires great finesse. The white crescent at the shoulder is an identifiable characteristic that carvers take care to replicate. The wings are layered with blacks, blues, and iridescent feather markings.

The chestnut coloring on the breast and sides is dappled with light tan and white. Once satisfied with the painting, the carver will coat the decoy with a few layers of clear matte sealer to protect the paint and bring out the colors. A quality set of northern shoveler decoys truly is a work of art.

Hunting Over Northern Shoveler Decoys

A rig of floating northern shoveler decoys can entice incoming shovelers looking to join the flock. Hunters target migrating shovelers in early fall and through the winter. Decoys are best set in open shallow wetlands where shovelers can be seen dabbling.

Setting the Spread

For migrating shovelers, a simple spread of one to three drake decoys is most effective. A jerk rig allows the decoys to mimic feeding behavior. Hunters conceal themselves on the shoreline or in a blind and make occasional short retrieves with the jerk cord.

Calling to the Birds

Light calling can help pull in high flying shovelers. A mellow series of short whistles and rattles mimicking the male's courtship call works well. Be careful not to over call, as shovelers are easily spooked by aggressive sounds.

Enticing them into Range

As shovelers approach, continue natural motion of the decoys. When birds are in range (under 30 yards typically), stop moving the decoys to avoid spooking the flock. If needed, light calling can pull the shovelers just a little closer as you pick out your shots. With quality decoys and proper setup, the northern shoveler's curiosity can be used to a hunter's advantage.

The uniquely shaped and colored northern shoveler presents an alluring challenge for carvers seeking to create convincing decoys. By studying shoveler anatomy and behavior, carvers can create decoys that come to life on the water. For hunters, a small spread of resting shoveler decoys when properly positioned can entice the birds within range on their next migration stopover. The northern shoveler truly is a one-of-a-kind waterfowl species.

FAQs

What are the key features to capture when carving a northern shoveler decoy?

The most important feature is the large, spoon-shaped bill. Carefully carving the bill and painting it black with a yellow tip is essential. Also focus on the iridescent green head, white crescent shoulder marking, and vibrant wing plumage.

What size block of wood is best for carving northern shoveler decoys?

Blocks of basswood or white cedar 8-10 inches long by 3-4 inches wide are typical. This allows carving a 7-9 inch decoy, the ideal size for hunting shovelers.

How many northern shoveler decoys are optimal for a hunting spread?

For migrating northern shovelers, a minimal spread of 1-3 drake decoys works best. More decoys can make shovelers wary. Use a jerk rig for motion.

What is the best paint scheme for realistically coloring a carved shoveler decoy?

Base colors of blacks, blues, and chestnut. Dab on whites, tans, and iridescent greens to mimic intricate feather patterns. Multiple light coats of matte sealer finish it off.