The
ODCCA
Mantel
for Waterfowl Decoys Past and Present
A
Non-Profit Organization. www.odcca.org. Fall 2001
“I am a new decoy collector…what advice can you give me?”
ADVICE
FOR NEW COLLECTORS
from Gene and Linda Kangas
When we first
started collecting, we realized how little we knew about decoys and how much others had
already experienced. Therefore, we decided upon a plan to gain more knowledge and insight
to the subtleties to collecting decoys. First, we acquired books that addressed the topic
in general. Second, we began visiting as many public collections as we could. Third, we
began visiting private collectors on every trip that we took across North America.
You will quickly find that individual collectors have in depth and specific knowledge
either on their region or on a particular carver.
From them you get a crash course on a one-to-one basis. You will learn things that
might otherwise take years to discover. It is critical to ask lots and lots of questions.
You shouldn’t be doing all the talking; you should be listening.
Auctions
provide a tremendous opportunity to see hundreds of different types of decoys in a venue
which allows you to pick them up and examine them. Large auctions provide catalogs
photographing most all the decoys they are selling captioning important background
information on each. These can be purchased well before the sale so that you can study
them before attending. Catalogs of previous sales are usually available as well. Also,
attending the auction is a wonderful mixture of expertise. It is a great place to meet
collectors and dealers and be provided the opportunity to ask them questions.
Decoy
conventions are also good research tools. Sponsored by clubs or small groups, they are
found in many states as well as Canada.
We would like
to suggest that you develop a ‘Wish List’ or a ‘Ten Most Wanted List’
so that you can set limitations and control the direction of what you are collecting. When
you are considering the purchase of a major decoy, seek the advice of knowledgeable
collectors (not dealers).
Most
importantly, HAVE FUN!!
The attack of September 11, 2001 has forever changed our lives and how we look at life in general. It has caused many of us to shed tears and turn to prayer for those who lost their lives for this great country. Our senses lure in the colors of the fall season, the aroma of wood burning in the fireplace, the corn and pumpkins in the fields. The sounds on the marsh in the morning with the splash of the decoys hitting the water, the morning sunrise and then the first flight of mallards winging their way over the water. This is our country and may God Bless the United States of America. Our President has asked us to continue on with our lives, going to work or play and to pursue our varied interests. In this vein, the board of directors and committee heads are making some very special plans for the celebration of the 25th Anniversary of the Ohio Decoy Collectors and Carvers Annual Show.
This year we will have three seminars one featuring Pat Godin, in this seminar Pat will take seminar participants From Blue Prints to Blue Ribbons. The second and third seminars are free of charge to all who attend the show, these seminars are: Peter Palumbo’s, Color Seminar and Rick Johannsen’s Eye Setting. See further information in the seminar article elsewhere in the newsletter. We urge all interested ODCCA members to sign up early for Pat Godin’s Seminar since we know it will sell out before you know it.
Good Decoying,
Tom Whitlock
The annual IWCA meeting was held on August 4, 2001 at the O’Hare Hilton Hotel in Chicago. Sixteen members were in attendance; president Bob Sutton gave a general overview that included the two new shows and an update on the 978 individual memberships.
The ODCCA has three new aluminum tanks for sale.
2 – 6’ X 4' X 8” Deep
1 – 5’ X 4' X 10” Deep.
They stack together and each tank has a threaded hole in the bottom
for ease of drainage.
These tanks were designed for easy handling and are relatively lightweight.
If a club is interested in purchasing one or all of the tanks the
cost is $350 each picked up.
If interested or if you have questions contact Bob Lund at 419 -874-3671 or Duane Ganser
at
440-460-0986.
By Duane Ganser
With the waterfowl season here, I think it is time to share my favorite recipe for duck. Do you remember the party on Friday night at last years show, in the hunting decoy room? If you were there, then you have to remember the great eats. Several people prepared various wild-game dishes and one of the highlights was blackened duck breast. If you didn’t try it then, here’s the recipe so you can try it on your own. I sure hope you like it as much as I do.
Take several duck breasts and soak them over night in a bowl of water that has garlic seasoning added to it. Dry the breasts and cut them into 3/4" cubes. In a bowl, place a stick of butter and melt it in the microwave. You need enough butter to coat the entire cubed duck. Now you need your OLDEST and HEAVIEST cast iron frying pan and a lid that will fit inside the pan. Heat the cast iron pan till it gets good and HOT. Take the lid, bottom side up, and put in some melted butter and the duck breast cubes. In order to sear the meat properly, you want to cook about a hand full of duck cubes at a time; this will allow the pan to remain hot. Generously sprinkle Cajun Seasoning over the duck and melted butter. The spicier the better. The seasoning I use and recommend is Chef Paul Prudhommes Magic Seasoning, Blackened Fish Seasoning. You can also try Tone’s Cajun Seasoning; it’s also very good. With the frying pan HOT, flip the lid containing the above mixture over and into the pan. Let the duck cubes cook for 30 or 40 seconds, then remove the lid and stir the duck. Put the lid back on and cook the duck up to four minutes, all the while stirring and checking, as you do not want to burn the duck. I like my duck a little rare and juicy and recommend it be served that way over a steaming bed of wild rice.
Sit back, eat and enjoy.
**One Important note about
cooking this in your home, it makes a lot of SMOKE, and I mean, a lot of SMOKE. I cook my
duck in a cast iron pan on my barbecue grill, OUTSIDE.
In the state of Indiana and throughout the nation Jeff is becoming widely known as a talented wildlife artist. Jeff graduated from Indiana University’s Herron School of Art, with a bachelors Degree in Fine Arts. He primarily paints wildlife and landscapes containing waterfowl.