|
The Gunning Tradition
Waterfowl hunting decoys have been fashioned for centuries, if not millennia. Those that especially appeal to P.G.
are from the 19th and early 20th centuries. There is no doubt that master carvers produced art (and still do to
this day). In the case of hunting decoys, form certainly follows function. Many salty outdoorsmen crafted beautiful
interpretations of ducks, shorebirds and other waterbirds that enticed wary fowl into the cookpot.
The attraction of these carvings probably appeals to the inner naturalist in all of us. A decoy can be visually
appealing, but also hints at the smells of salty air, wax myrtle and gunpowder. These are aromas that are often far
away as we proceed through the fast-paced world of the 21st century, usually far removed from the very nature that got us
here. While some may think this is just waxing poetic, they probably haven't shot a streaking redhead in a howling nor'easter
over hand-made decoys in January. If you have or like to think about it, then you know what we mean!
|
| Old drake scaup (bluebill) decoy that we grew up hunting with |
|
| Some of P.G.'s black duck, mallard & widgeon cork decoys in the water |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
A Fowling Heritage
|
| P.G.'s grandfather, Mickey Ross, and father, Paige Ross after a day of gunning in the 1950's |
P.G. Ross is a native of the Eastern Shore of Virginia. His ancestors plied the waters of the Chesapeake Bay
and Atlantic Ocean since the first colonial settlers moved to the region in the 1600's. He counts himself lucky
to have been introduced to the marshes and gunning by his father and grandfather and to have been exposed to his
mother's artistic interest in the Eastern Shore's wildlife.
P.G. has been carving on and off for 20 years and has developed a vision of the decoys he carves through observation
while fowling, fishing and working in the saltmarsh environs. While not working his "day job" as a marine biologist, P.G.
serves as a waterfowl hunting guide and fishing guide. He hopes to pass his love of duck hunting and all things
outdoors on to his children and hand down the traditions and heritage of the old Eastern Shore.
|
| P.G.'s grandfather in the 1970's on the porch of the hunting cabin in the marshes of Chesapeake Bay |
|
| P.G.'s Dad, younger brother Mark and himself heading out gunning circa 1982 |
|
| P.G. (right), his brother Mark (left) and Gage (in blind) goose hunting circa 2001 |
|
|
|
|
|
