Duck Decoys

Herman Wendt

1888-1955

Sheboygan

Herman Wendt(1888-1955) was born and lived in Sheboygan his entire life. He was an avid duck hunter, mostly in the Pigeon River area north of Sheboygan. Reportedly, Wendt hunted every day from October until duck season closed in December from the early 1900's thru the 1940's. During the other 9 months of the year he worked as a stone mason and carved decoys in his garage. His early decoys were carved from cedar and later he switched to cork with pine heads. In the early 1950's Herman carved many miniature decoys that he gifted or sold for $1-$2. Many of his decoys reside in Wisconsin collections and some of his duck species are very popular. Wendt never married and lived with 2 of his siblings. His group of hunting buddies were referred to as the "Pigeon River Gang". Wendt was one of the very early hunter/carvers of Wisconsin "folky" decoys.

Decoys