The Competition is open to all carvers. IWCA level advancement rules do not apply to this division. IWCA STYLE DECOY DIVISION rules apply.
2.
Decoys must be made of wood, cork or stretched canvas. Machine duplicated decoys will be disqualified.
3.
Texturing by any means will be allowed (i.e. rasping, chip carving, combing, scratching, stippling), except wood burning and stoning. The only exception to this rule is that some stoning or carving (no burning) will be allowed on the crest of any species of merganser as long as the crest remains sturdy and functional. A woodburner may be used as a cutting tool only. All undercut or fragile areas (wingtips, tails, necks and bills) will be critically assessed by the judges for durability. Feather groups may be simply carved (back, side pockets, rump, breast). Only primaries, tertials, and tail feathers may be individually carved.
4.
Carving under the bill is allowed.
5.
Inserts may be used to strengthen weak areas such as bills, tails, and crests. Any fragile areas (wingtips, tails, necks, and bills) will be critically assessed by the judges for durability. Primary feathers must be strong and well supported. As a guideline, primaries cannot be undercut more than the uppermost part of the upper tail coverts.
6.
All weights and/or keels must be sturdy and non-fouling in design. Decoys must have a facility for an anchor line attachment. Keels and/or ballast weights are considered part of the decoy and will be considered as part of the judging criteria. Over-all weight will also be considered.
7.
Decoys must be self-righting. Decoys will be placed in the tank with their bottoms up. When the decoy is released, it must self-right. Geese and swan decoys must self-right from a side position. any decoy that does not self-right will immediately be disqualified.
8.
There will be no restrictions on painting of IWCA Style Hunting Division decoys. Painting must be effective at a distance of 20 feet. Painting techniques that are fast and practical are encouraged. Painting must withstand an extended time period in the water and not deteriorate.
9.
Any hunting division decoy that checks, splits, takes on water, and/or has paint deterioration at any time prior to the completion of all hunting decoy judging will be disqualified and forfeit any awards said decoy was awarded. All decoys in the disqualified decoy's specie and/or category would be reordered, so as to move up one place, i.e. 2nd becomes 1st, 3rd becomes 2nd, etc.
10.
There are no restrictions as to the number or sex of the entries.
11.
Decoys must have no visible markings that will identify the carver and/or painter. Please cover such marks with tape.
MARKET GUNNER
Prior to entry, it is the responsibility of the entrant/ carver to be fully aware of the rules. If there is any doubt as to the division in which the decoy should be entered, the show chairman and/or lead judge should be consulted for a recommendation.
1.
The competition is open to all levels of carvers. Entries must be simple in construction, durable and able to withstand the rigors of hunting conditions. Fancy display type decoys are discouraged.
2.
Entries must be able to withstand extended time in the water. Any decoy that deteriorates prior to completion of all the judging for this division will be disqualified.
3.
Detailed carving and under cut primaries will not be allowed. Primaries may be raised to capture the essence of a species, but must be solid back to the body (fully supported). The lower mandible may be cut in. Glass eyes are permitted.
4.
Entries must self right and float in a life-like manner. Keels must be practical. No weight or line is required.
5.
The painting and painting scheme must be simple and easy to repaint. Simple brushwork and simple airbrushing will be allowed. Simple large area blending will be allowed. Textured paints, scratching, ragging, stippling and sponging are also allowed.
6.
Texturing, stoning, and wood burning are not allowed. No machine duplicated or cast decoys will be allowed. Rasping, chip carving, combing and hammering will be allowed. Class decoys will be allowed, but must be completely carved and painted by the person or persons who enter them.
7.
Decoys will be first tested to self right. The body of the decoy will be submerged, with the bottom up. When released the decoy must self-right. Geese and swans are required to self-right from either side. The decoy will first be pre-qualified for workmanship, practicality, simplicity, durability, and adherence to the carving and painting restrictions. The decoy will then be judged in the pool for essence of the species. Projection and how they float are key ingredients for the winning decoy.
8.
No decoy may be entered in the same show twice.
9.
Best of Show decoy is a Purchase Award and wil be entered in the auction.
MARKET GUNNER-3-BIRD RIG
1.
Competition open to all.
2.
Any 3 birds, i.e. (3 Mallard in any combination) (1 Spec. Belly, 1 Snow, 1 Richardson)(1 Scaup, 1 Can, 1 Redhead).
3.
Market Gunner Rules apply for carving and painting.
4.
RIG will be floated and must have drop lines and attaching clip.
5.
No bird from the 3-Bird Rig may be entered in the Market Gunner Competition or vice versa.
6.
This is a purchase award (Best Rig of Show) and one bird will be selected from the rig by Show Committee. This decoy will be entered in the auction.
COCKTAIL BIRDS (Non-Floating)
1.
Decoys must be made of wood.
2.
Decoys must be ..... small .
3.
Decoys must show the essence of the species.
4.
Decoys can be painted with no restrictions.
5.
Unlimited carving and painting.
6.
Texturing and wood burning are allowed.
7.
Visible marks that identify the carver may only appear o n the bottom of the decoy. Cover such marks with tape prior to the contest.
8.
This is a "people's choice" and all entries become the property of SCFWA to be entered into the auction. The Best of Show will receive a cash award.
GUNNING SHORE BIRD DECOYS
1.
All carvers may enter.
2.
Shore Bird Decoys will be:
A. Handmade from wood or cork, by the contestant.
B. Painted to accurately represent the live bird (no restrictions on painting).
C. Strong and serviceable without detailed texturing or wood burning, fragile raised wings or other parts that would easily break.
D. Displayed on a wooden dowel and simple stand. Decoy and dowel are to be easily removable from the stand to allow for judging.
F. Completed within one year of the contest date.
3.
There is no limit to the number of entries, however, each additional entry must be of a different species.
4.
Ribbons will be awarded for first, second, third and honorable mention in each class. Class winners will be judged to determine the best Gunning Shore Bird.
5.
Classes will be established for 3 or more of a species.
6.
The live bird will be the criteria for judging.
7.
Best of Show is a purchase award and will be entered in the auction... 50/50 Split
