A native of Yonges Island, South Carolina, Tom Boozer has been carving decoys for over twenty-five years. He learned the craft from a family friend and local hunter, Olin Ballentine. Ballentine taught him much about the traditional decoy wood, white cedar, and showed him how to select the right tree. Every two years, usually in December or January, Tom goes to a private tract of land on the Congaree Creek to cut his own trees. Following the cutting, Boozer then allows the wood to dry for two years before he begins carving his decoys.
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Boozer works with a draw knife and a rasp to shape the decoy body out of white cedar. Video produced and shot by SC Educational Television.
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Boozer working on the tail of the decoy - undercutting primary feathers, using a chisel and rasp to shape the tail section. Produced and shot by SC Educational Television.
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Boozer uses a brace and gouge to hollow out the underside of the decoy body. Footage courtesy of SC Educational Television.
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Boozer uses a small Buck pocket knife to carve the decoy's head. Footage courtesy of SC Educational Television.
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Boozer discusses the application of the glass eyes to the decoy's head and finishes carving the head. Footage courtesy of SC Educational Television.
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Boozer describes the painting process and the final touches to complete a decoy. Footage courtesy of SC Educational Television.
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Boozer explains the indigenious nature of the wild fowl decoy. Footage courtesy of SC Educational Television.
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Boozer explains how he obtains the white cedar for his duck decoys. Footage courtesy of SC Educational Television.
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A native of Yonges Island, South Carolina, Tom Boozer has been carving decoys for over twenty-five years. He learned the craft from a family friend and local hunter, Olin Ballentine. Ballentine taught...
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Video transcript for: Shaping The Decoy Body Undercutting The Primary Feathers Hollowing Out The Decoy Body Carving The Decoy's Head Finishing The Head Painting Techniques Native American Origins...
