This three bird rig of two Mallard hens and a drake, were created by Pat Godin to compete in the World Shootin’ Rig category at the 2019 Ward World Championship Wildfowl Carving Competition.  The rules in the World Shootin’ Rig class require a drake and hen of one species along with another bird of the same or different species.  In addition, these decoys are judged in open water conditions requiring special considerations for flotation.  To enhance their stability on the water these birds are hollow with lead ballast weighted hardwood keels.  Although these birds have been designed in a “working” decoy style, exceptional detail has been rendered in the carving of feathers and bills as well as in the refinement of the paint.

At the 2019 Ward World Championship show (www.wardmuseum.org) these Mallards were judged Best in World for Pat’s seventeenth World title since 1976.  This category is among the most competitive in all of bird carving.  As part of the honor of winning this award the Mallards will be on display in the Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art in Salisbury, MD until April of 2020.

If you have an interest in acquiring these Mallards, have any questions, or would like to see more images please contact Pat Godin at Pat@GodinArt.com or by telephone at 519-448-1244.