For centuries, hunters have carved and shaped decoys to lure waterfowl within range, turning a practical necessity into a distinctive craft.For centuries, hunters have carved and shaped decoys to lure waterfowl within range, turning a practical necessity into a distinctive craft. This book traces the history of the duck decoy from its origins among Indigenous peoples of North America through its development as a tool of survival, commerce, and eventually folk art. You will learn how regional styles emerged, how materials and techniques evolved, and how the decoy's purpose shifted as hunting practices and regulations changed over time. The book also considers the decoy's place in collecting and craftsmanship, and what its history reveals about the relationship between people, wildlife, and tradition. Written and researched with the assistance of artificial intelligence, this book offers a clear, factual introduction for readers curious about how a simple wooden object became part of a lasting cultural practice.For centuries, hunters have carved and shaped decoys to lure waterfowl within range, turning a practical necessity into a distinctive craft. This book traces the history of the duck decoy from its origins among Indigenous peoples of North America through its development as a tool of survival, commerce, and eventually folk art. You will learn how regional styles emerged, how materials and techniques evolved, and how the decoy's purpose shifted as hunting practices and regulations changed over time. The book also considers the decoy's place in collecting and craftsmanship, and what its history reveals about the relationship between people, wildlife, and tradition. Written and researched with the assistance of artificial intelligence, this book offers a clear, factual introduction for readers curious about how a simple wooden object became part of a lasting cultural practice.