Details

Category: Contests

Published Date

Ohio has enjoyed a dove hunting season for the last decade and since doves are drawn to decoys and many carvers are making them and collectors are collecting them, we thought it would be a good idea to start a new decoy contest for a species of bird which is hunted throughout many parts of North America. 2011 marked the first year for this contest; slight changes to the 2012 rules are underlined below.

This is STRICTLY FOR HUNTING STYLE DECOYS that are not fragile and can be carried into the field without fear of breaking bills tails or primaries. First, Second, and Third BOS will be placed in the Saturday night ODCCA Silent Auction near Corkers Lounge and winners will take home 80% of the winning bid and the other 20% goes to the ODCCA.

RULES

1. Decoys must be made of wood or cork, simplicity takes precedence. Bills can be of any material.

2. The species of doves will be those with current or past huntable seasons in Ohio, and shall include the mourning dove, rock dove, and the extinct passenger pigeon.

3. Decoys are to be carved life size and can be full bodied or silhouettes decoys, both styles will be allowed and judged together. 

4. Feather texturing (burning and grinding), inserts and fragile parts and individually carved feathers will not be permitted, except for bills, where fragileness will not be considered in judging. If reinforced, show photos or explanation attached. 

5. Decoys should fall into one of the three categories of Ground, Branch, or Wire. Ground decoys should be mounted on a detachable dowel and base for display; Branch decoys should be secured to a clip that can be clipped to a branch or wire during hunting; and Wire decoys shall consist of a stiff wire with counter weight for balancing on a branch or wire. Base, dowel (leg), clips or wires with weights are not considered when judging, but should be non-flaring or non-reflective – i.e. neutral in color or match the bird. Regarfless of category, all decoys will be judged together with the best three decoys taking the top three honors. 

6. Realistic painting is expected to the best of the artist's ability.

7. Carver’s identity shall be hidden until after the judging (masking tape).

8. Final Judging for likeness to species will be done from a minimum distance of twelve feet.

9. I.W.C.A. judging procedures and Code of Ethics will be in effect.

   
   

    ODCCA will provide one table for judging. The table will be equipped with a mounted branch for Branch decoy carvings to be attached and a double row of wire stretched across for attaching Wire decoys (likely a softened barbed wire between fence posts) to simulate natural hunting conditions. Ground decoys will be placed on their base and set on the table.

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