December 8, 2003

New Duck Decoy Book Just In Time For Christmas
by James L. Cummins

Historically, the majority of decoys made in the United States were made in Pascagoula, Mississippi. Maybe that is why Senator Lott has such a strong affection for ducks!

The making of duck decoys in Mississippi came along at a time when decoy manufacturing on the East Coast and in New Orleans was booming. This occurred from about 1840 to 1870. After the Civil War, market hunting boomed. And as transportation methods improved, the demand for duck decoys increased. The area in and around Pascagoula, Mississippi, was nationally known for its abundance of tupelo gum, which is a wood that is extremely buoyant, light in weight and plentiful. This resulted in a very large amount of decoys being manufactured in Pascagoula.

Joe Bosco, born in Pascagoula, has spent much of his life fishing and duck hunting on the Pascagoula River with his family and friends. He had an interest in antiques, including old wooden duck decoys. When he bought his first antique decoy made by Animal Trap in Pascagoula, he wanted to learn more about the local product.

Bosco researched the history and current status of duck decoy manufacturing, specifically the wooden decoys that are no longer in production. He searched newspaper articles and old catalogs and interviewed former employees and surviving relatives. After gathering a great deal of information, he decided to compile the information into a book in which he describes all of the key factors and manufacturing firms involved with the decoys, while providing a helpful guide for today's collectors. It also describes the evolution of the industry, provides the history of each firm and includes numerous full-color photographs to identify their products for modern decoy enthusiasts. He brings this guide up to date with tips for collecting in person and on-line.

"Pascagoula Decoys" gives an overview of the history of the duck decoy manufacturing industry. Bosco relates the stories of important decoy makers like the Hudson Manufacturing Company, which established more buoyant decoys with hollows underneath, and the Animal Trap Company of Mississippi, one of the last manufacturers to offer wooden decoys. He also introduces important personalities, such as Charles W. Grubbs, founder of the Grubbs Manufacturing Company, who made the first commercial duck call, and C. M. Woolworth, who bought Poitevin Brothers, Inc., makers of Singing River Decoys, in 1940 as a result of the increased interest in the duck decoy industry.

"Pascagoula Decoys" offers a detailed look at the manufacturers, their products with colorful pictures of surviving decoys, black-and-white photos that were taken commercially in the 1950s for Pascagoula Decoy Co., advertisements, original price lists and other related materials also are depicted in the book.

"Pascagoula Decoys" (ISBN: 1-58980-143-1) is published by Pelican Publishing Company, Inc. One may order a copy of the book for $35.00 by calling Pelican at 1-800-843-1724 or 1-888-5-PELICAN. It would make an excellent Christmas gift!

James L. Cummins is Executive Director of the Mississippi Fish and Wildlife Foundation in Stoneville, Mississippi. Known as "Wildlife Mississippi," the Foundation is a non-profit, conservation organization founded to conserve, restore and enhance fish, wildlife and plant resources throughout Mississippi