Handmade waterfowl decoys have always held a special place for hunters, collectors, and outdoor enthusiasts. They are more than just hunting tools. They tell stories about the craftsmanship of their creators, the connection between people and the landscape, and memories of early mornings in the field.
To hold an antique decoy is to hold a piece of history shaped by hands that understand the natural world.
The OFAH Foundation invites you to help preserve that legacy through the Crafted for Conservation Campaign, calling for the donation of antique waterfowl decoys. These contributions will support ongoing conservation and education efforts, ensuring that the natural spaces and outdoor traditions reflected in these carvings continue to thrive for generations.
Whether you have a single decoy passed down through your family, or an entire collection built over decades, your contribution can make a difference. Each donated piece not only preserves the past but supports the future of Ontario conservation.
Each decoy will be professionally appraised, and donors will receive a charitable tax receipt for its value. Once collected, the decoys will be showcased and auctioned through Miller & Miller Auctions in the fall of 2026.
For those interested in donating, or to learn more about the Crafted for Conservation Campaign, visit: hfhc.ca/duckdecoys or reach out to Brad Ferren at: brad@hfhc.ca
Preserve the past. Protect the future. Your decoy’s next chapter starts here.
Photo: A solid-body hen pintail from the 1940s credited to Toronto’s JR Wells — a highly documented historical Canadian decoy maker.
Originally published in the Jan.-Feb. 2026 issue of Ontario Out of Doors
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