Name/Title
Decoy, American Black DuckEntry/Object ID
4.44.150Description
Estimated to be from 1871-1905, this simple example of a duck decoy depicts an American Black Duck. The ducks' range extends across the whole of the Eastern half of Canada and the United States. However, American Black Ducks are not black, which this duck appears to be, but dark brown. Decoys, though, do not need to be exact to be effective, as they draw the ducks in from the sky. The shape and the approximate color of the ducks being hunted would be enough.Context
Duck decoys have a long history in America and can be viewed as a uniquely American art form. Over 2000 years ago, Indigenous people used decoys made of reeds and colored with natural dyes to mimic the waterfowl and lure wary ducks into bow and arrow range. Europeans arriving in America learned the art from the Indigenous people and applied their wood crafting skills to make lifelike wooden decoys.
In the early 1800s, harvesting ducks became an important food source for early immigrants. However, as wetlands were drained for agriculture, duck populations dwindled. Many city dwellers wanting to carry on the tradition of waterfowl hunting traveled long distances to the remaining marshes that rimmed Lake Erie and Sandusky Bay. By 1854, the first hunting club was chartered and protected these areas from continued drainage. The demand for decoys grew, and the manufacturing of wooden decoys started before the turn of the century. Today, most hunters use lightweight plastic decoys.Collection
Magee Marsh Wildlife AreaLocation
Building
Magee Marsh Visitor CenterOhio State Wildlife Area
Magee Marsh Wildlife Area
