How to Carve a Wood Duck

Carved wooden ducks are primarily used for decoys in duck hunting. However, they also make wonderful additions to home decor, hunting lodges or rustic cabins. Carving a wood duck is truly an art form passed down through many generations. Although the tools of the trade have become much better over time, hand-carving ducks still takes time and patience.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 2 blocks of wood
• Pattern
• Band saw
• Carving tools
• Sandpaper
• Wood-burning tools (optional)
• Wood glue
• Clamp

1. Transfer the desired duck pattern with matching top and side views to a block of wood.

2. Use a band saw to cut out the pattern with one continuous line for the top view and the side view.

3. Lay out a pattern with matching views for the head on a second block of wood.

4. Cut along the lines of the top view and then the side view with a band saw.

5. Take the body of the duck that you have cut out and transfer carving guidelines to the wood--tail, head, rump, waterline, wing and centerline.

6. Begin carving along the transfer line with carving tools. The tools you will need are large and small rasps, a regular knife, push-pull knife and some 80- to 100-grit sandpaper. Some duck artists also use wood-burning tools to add wing and feather details to the duck.

7. Prepare the head platform by cutting out a flat surface for the head to rest on at the end of the body. Attach the head to the body with wood glue and clamp into place.

Tips & Warnings

• Once your duck has been carved, you can paint the duck using a variety of patterns, depending on how you want your finished product to look.