Goshen Farm in Goshen, NJ - Master Decoy Carver, J.P. Hand creating patterns for carving with Apprentices - Heather Lucadema & Alex Hascha

If art is a form of human expression, what is decoy carving expressing? While sitting and talking with South Jersey master decoy carver, J.P. Hand, it doesn't take long to realize that at its heart, this practice is an expression of a way of life; a way of life which embraces the commingling of humans and nature. Ongoing relationships between them have created a culture still present in South Jersey today. Historically, decoy carving is a tradition tied to the earliest settlers of NJ's coastal communities and the unique environment of this region. If you trace the history of the settlement of Cape May County, you will likewise trace the area's traditions of making decoys. Along America's east coast settlements, Hand tells us, "the exact origin of the craft in time is not known, but likely started in the early to mid 1800's". Back then, South Jersey was home to a bountiful and diverse populous of waterfowl such as shorebirds, ducks and geese. This was an environment that not only served the local settlers, but, over time, attracted wealthy pleasure hunters or "sports" and commercial "market" hunters. Eventually, taking a toll on healthy waterfowl populations, shorebird hunting, was banned and remains so today. It makes sense, then, that for "the old-timers" to remain successful hunters, innovations such as skillfully handmade decoys would emerge. Enticing live birds to come in closer, the traditional duck decoy of South Jersey was, (and still is), made of Jersey cedar, (Atlantic White Cedar) - another abundant resource endemic to the region. Carving by hand with tools, such as a razor sharp hatchet and a curved gouge, is the traditional method of making decoys and continues to be practiced and taught by the likes of Hand, who comes from a familial lineage of South Jersey carvers and gunners, (traditional term for game hunters), dating back 325 years.

J.P. Hand showing one of his very own carved birds in flight & discussing techniques specific to this kind of carving

 

Q & A with the Master & Apprentices

Can you tell us how and when you each began carving decoys and who you learned from?

 

JP: I began carving about 48 years ago. I just had the impulse and needed decoys to hunt with, but no money to buy them. Just like Alex here, I started carving on my own. After a few years, I met my two mentors; the late great Hurley Conklin of Manahawkin, N.J., and the late Harry Shourds III of Seaville, N.J. Both master carvers who guided me along and shared their skill and knowledge.

 

ALEX: I did a lot of fishing with my family growing up in South Jersey. I started fishing when I was roughly 3 years old! So, it felt natural for me to develop an interest in duck hunting. I'm mainly self taught and I did most of my learning through trial and error for the first few years. I learned what I could through online videos and looking at pictures of other carvers' decoys. I've been carving for roughly 6 years but I'd say I'm still a novice at this craft. Over the past year I started to work with a local carver, who helped me to improve. The opportunity for me to carve with Jamie (J.P.) will have a big impact. I am hoping he can pass skills on to me that he's learned from his masters.

 

HEATHER: Well, I pretty much grew up in the duck hunting tradition. My grandpa came from an urban hunting family, and my dad is a hunter and a decoy carver, too. You could say it's a family tradition. I've been carving for a few years, but I consider myself a beginner. My first year in the Apprenticeship Program I learned so much from J.P. just by observing him and carving with him here at his workshop.

 

You all seem to share a love for South Jersey history, culture and traditions. Can you say more about the personal importance of that?

 

JP: Where do I begin! My ancestors are a part of the heritage here and I've become the culture I was raised in. I celebrate that. One of the things I appreciate most is that I've been able to teach others what I know. Because of decoy making, my wife says that our farm is 'like a community center'! I consider the most important part of my legacy to be the carvers that I have shared my skills and knowledge with over the years - and not just people from South Jersey, but all over America, 'Muricans', as I like to call us multicultural people.

ALEX: I absolutely love history! My dad is a big history buff, and there's a lot of history here. I think it's important to know the history surrounding these cultural activities as you engage in them yourself. I rarely pass up the opportunity to speak with somebody who's lived in Brick (where I'm from) their entire life. It's also important for me to learn as much as I can about the art of decoy carving and its history because there are fewer and fewer young adults interested in these topics. If this tradition, history and lore all start to be forgotten it will be very difficult to bring them back. By continuing to learn, I might be able to help preserve them and then pass them down to future generations.

HEATHER: I was born in Cape May and live there now where hunting is part of the history and my family's history, too. I've been involved in hunting, carving, and collecting decoys since I was as a young child. As soon as my sister and I could walk, we were going out on the meadow with our dad. Now, creating a decoy gives me a sense of accomplishment. It's become about passing on the traditions, because if not me and others who love this, who's going to do it? I hope to make carving a continual part of my life.

Heather and Alex, what are you going to work on during this Apprenticeship? J.P. you can weigh in here as well!

 

ALEX: I've decided to start with something kind of ambitious - a flying grouse.

JP: I've never made a flying grouse myself! It'll be new for both of us. We're looking at bird books and discussing what we already know about the species. I'm looking forward to it!

ALEX: Yeah, Jamie says my first assignment is to become the grouse! I love the grouse - it's the first bird I ever hunted. I'll have to think about the anatomy of the bird to help get it right. It'll definitely

HEATHER: There are several things I need to improve on like using the bandsaw and other tools. I'm pretty confident in my painting abilities, but I'd like to learn more about traditional paint patterns and tricks to creating clean wing lines. I like the artistic experience of painting what I carve.

JP: Heather is a talented young carver. She came in first place in the shorebird rig competition at the Tuckerton Decoy Show! She's (another) example of a woman making her way and holding her own in a traditionally male dominated folk art.

Can you tell us something about your relationship to the natural environment in South Jersey and how these traditions tie in?

 

ALEX: There's nothing like the feeling of putting out your own decoys and seeing how they work, seeing the birds respond to something you've made.

HEATHER: I love this environment and I believe in supporting hunters, decoy carvers, and the conservation of waterfowl and their habitat.

JP: I've often said that my church is the woods, the fields, and the salt meadows.

 

 

2nd year Apprentice, Heather Lucadema on Goshen Farm, holds one of J.P. Hand's favorite resident chickens

 

 

J.P. Hand and 1st year Apprentice - Alex Hascha working together on the start of a new project under the shade of the trees on Hand's farm

- Follow J.P. Hand on Instagram -a social media platform that has helped promote this folkart!

- Check out the State of the Arts Feature -

 

The Art of the South Jersey Duck Decoy