Willy McDonald’s Class:

Gerald Snelling, James Baurs, Willy McDonald, Dale Somers, Bob Fleury, Jaden Ashley, Becky

Sherwood

Jack Cox is a well-known decoy carver

with a specialty in working, smoothie and decorative decoys. His carving experience began as a hobby in the late 1970s after attending his first decoy show in Virginia Beach.

Cox has won numerous best in show awards over the past 26 years from the North Carolina State Championship, Gregory Pairs Championship at the East Carolina Wildlife Festival, he Lem and Steve Contemporary Decoys Competition in addition to two titles as Virginia Ducks Unlimited Carver of the Year. He was recently awarded Best in Contemporary Decoys at the 2006 World Championship.

Jack Cox

Jack Cox’s Class:

Jack Cox’s Class:

Jack Cox’s Class:

Luke Costilow comes from generations of

duck decoy carvers. In 2004 at the age of ten, Costilow’s father, Mark, took him duck hunting and encouraged him to start carving. Mark is still his biggest inspiration today.  

Costilow has won numerous best in show awards including six titles from Ward World Championships in 2011,2012 and 2013. He says the best part of carving is to actually be able to hunt ducks over your own hand carved birds. Costilow is in his third year of college working towards a degree in environmental studies and is currently on the board of the Ohio Carvers and Collectors Association.

Luke Costilow

Luke Costilow’s Class: Ashtabula,

Ohio

13-year-old Logan Brewer Tim Bromley

Luke Costilow’s Class: Ashtabula,

Ohio

Chris Toy Joe Brewer and Andy Hildreth

Luke Costilow’s Class: Ashtabula,

Ohio

Class gathered around Luke for painting demo

Luke Costilow’s Class: Ashtabula,

Ohio

Andy Hildreth, Joe Brewer, Luke Costilow, Tim Bromley, Logan Brewer, Chris Toy, Chris

Woods

Maurie Hicks had his first carving experience at the age of 25

when his wife asked him to make something to keep the apartment door open. After deciding to carve a decoy, Hicks soon realized he did not know much about ducks. With the help of two mentors, he began hunting and developed interest in wildfowl. 

Hicks is a retired art teacher who says that the most rewarding part of teaching any type of art is the special moment when a student finally achieves understanding of the project. Hicks is a member of the Pacific Flyway Decoy Association which hosts the annual Pacific Flyway Wildfowl Art Classic in Sacramento, CA.

Maurie Hicks

Thank you to all of the instructors

for passing on the art of wildfowl carving

to students across the United States.