Public can visit the interactive exhibit April 25-26 in Lombard, Illinois
BISMARCK, NORTH DAKOTA — Hand-carved decoys and their makers are an important part of Delta Waterfowl’s history, with strong connections to the Ducharme and Ward families in Manitoba.
To honor and celebrate decoy-making traditions across the continent, Delta is sponsoring “Carver’s Corner” at the North American Vintage Decoy and Sporting Collectibles Show. The 58th annual gathering of the North American Decoy Collectors Association is slated for April 22-26 at the Westin Chicago Lombard hotel in Lombard, Illinois.
Carver’s Corner will feature decoy carving, feather stamping, and painting demonstrations by Pat Gregory, a noted carver from Bloomington, Illinois. In addition, the special area of the show will host a “Decoys of the Delta Marsh” exhibit, a special display of vintage decoys including birds made by the hands of Duncan Ducharme, Peter Ward, Torry Ward, Miles Pirnie, and other influential carvers. A second exhibit will showcase a prized rig of contemporary green-winged teal decoys from Delta Waterfowl’s 2024 decoy hunt, which took place on Utah’s Great Salt Lake.
“We’re excited to gather at our annual event and the energy that we experience is inspiring,” said Rick Sandstrom, NADCA President. “The addition of Delta as the sponsor of Carver’s Corner adds a rich heritage and legacy that brings an important link to North American waterfowl. The decoy makers are wonderful talents who can capture the spirit of wildfowl and remind us all of the important need for conservation and giving the ducks the ability to thrive in nature. We are thrilled at the potential that this relationship brings for education and broader engagement in successful waterfowling.”
Carver’s Corner will be open to the public during the Grand Ballroom Dealer Event from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m on April 25 and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on April 26. Other NADCA show highlights include an Evans Factory black duck display, Lake Poygan gunning box exhibit, call makers contest, two-day Guyette & Deeter auction, and free decoy identification and appraisals. South Carolina maker Russell Owen is this year’s featured carver and Adam Grimm of South Dakota is the featured wildlife artist.
“As The Duck Hunters Organization, Delta Waterfowl recognizes and appreciates how much decoys have added to tradition of waterfowling for more than a century in North America,” said Todd Burns, vice president of major gifts for Delta Waterfowl. “We’re pleased to support the NADCA show to help preserve and grow the heritage of decoy carving and collecting across the continent.”
For more information about NADCA and this year’s show, visit nadecoycollectors.org. For more information about Delta Waterfowl, contact Todd Burns at (815) 953-1049 or [email protected].
Delta Waterfowl is The Duck Hunters Organization, a leading conservation group working to produce ducks and secure the future of waterfowl hunting in North America. Visit deltawaterfowl.org.
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