Kirkpatrick's Decoy Shop

Upland Game Birds

Ducks, shorebirds, geese, swans, rails and gallinules are found and hunted in the "low lands", in or near water; while pheasants, grouse, woodcock, doves, and quail are found in the uplands on higher ground. Decoys were not made or used for hunting uplands, where birds were best found over a well trained dog. Many decoy makers experimented with carving upland birds for decorative use. These carvings are Will's contribution to this tradition.

Every bird is carved and painted by hand, using shavehorse, spokeshave, and drawknife. Price is determined after careful consideration of not only complexity and cost of materials, but skill, talent, and time required to complete the carving. Many equate price with size, but a small bird may involve more of the latter than a large one. So, evaluate our smaller birds carefully- many are little gems!

Mourning Doves. mourning doves are more plentiful every year. These swift birds are streamlined and beautifully compact. For many years Will has made dove decoys like these for his own use, but has always sold them or given them away after each season. The perching/feeding dove is the same bird drilled with two holes, allowing the hunter to set up according to his needs.

  1. Perching/Feeding Dove - 9-1/2" long, glass eyes, distressed patina. $90.00 (Item #35) DISCONTINUED
  2. Standing Dove - 9-1/2" long, glass eyes, distressed patina. $90.00 (Item #34) DISCONTINUED

  1. Standing Ruffed Grouse - 12" long, glass eyes, distressed patina. $140.00 (Item #131) DISCONTINUED
    This is a simple carving of one of our country's finest game birds, painted by using the techniques of the old shorebird decoy makers. Up close, as when looking at a watercolor, details are lost to blobs of paint and brush strokes of color; from a distance, however, all comes into focus.
  2. Country Quail Cock (Standing) - 6-1/4" long, Glass eyes, distressed patina., $90.00 (Item #230) Put bird in bag
    Bob-White Quail are the most sought after of all North American gamebirds. Their social life centers around the covey. If they are separated, the familiar whistle, "Bob White," calls strays back to the covey.
  3. Country Quail Hen (Feeding) - 7" long, Glass eyes, distressed patina. $90.00 (Item #232) DISCONTINUED
    Bob-White Quail are the most sought after of all North American gamebirds. Their social life centers around the covey. If they are separated, the familiar whistle, "Bob White," calls strays back to the covey.
  4. Woodcock - 9" long, carved hardwood bill, glass eyes, carved primaries and tail, extra fancy stippled paint, distressed patina. No base. $90.00 (Item #76) DISCONTINUED
    While woodcocks are related philogenetically to shorebirds, they are not hunted over decoys. However, game biologists do use decoys to trap and band the birds for study.

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