by Greg Renner
The Missouri Decoy Collectors is a group of individuals from around the State of Missouri and adjacent States who gather each year at the Missouri Department of Conservation’s Runge Nature Center to both study and exchange historic waterfowl decoys. Their focus is largely to duck, goose, and other decoys that have been made in the State of Missouri and surrounding States, but includes also decoys made in other parts of the United States and Canada. So far this has been a fairly informal gathering that will now be in its 6th year. Over time this group has grown and we expect an even larger participation this next year. Much of the history of decoys made in the State of Missouri has not been very well recorded or recognized. Many people from this area do not even know that there were 3 different decoy factories in Jefferson City between 1921 and 1945 and there is much misunderstanding among decoy collectors worldwide as to what was actually produced in Jefferson City and other parts of Missouri in past time. It is the mission of this group to improve on this. Members of the Audubon Society and others who have any true interest in decoy history are welcome to come to any part or all of this program. There is no charge, but I ask that interested individuals contact me (Greg Renner) in order to assure appropriate space. My contact info is below.
Agenda:
10:30-12:00 Buy/Sell/Swap session (a time to buy, sell, or trade decoys)
1:00-3:30 Educational Program (multiple powerpoint presentations and demonstrations)
Introduction and update on past year and upcoming activities
Demise of the Sullivan Saddle Tree factory building (Site of origin for the Hays decoy industry)
Introduction of Rick Sanstrom, President of the North American DecoyCollectors Assn. with presentation
Review of shoveler decoy made by the 3 Jefferson City decoy factories
Review of decoys and decoy makers from the Eastern portion of Missouri (Chambers, Smith, Yeargan, Francis, Acme, Levy, General Fibre, Mansker)
Review of decoys made in the Quincy Illinois area (Decoys by Geise, Mueller, Fleer, and Waterkotte)
Review of selected Illilnois decoy makers along the upper Mississippi River (Canfield, Kraimer)
Review of decoys made in Southeastern Iowa
Review of duck/goose call makers in Missouri
Special report on call maker Leo Othmer of Davenport, Iowa
This program is open to anyone who has interest in these topics or in decoys in general. There is no charge to attend either session.
I do ask that anyone who intends to come to this please contact Greg Renner in order to be sure to accommodate everyone. This is particularly necessary for those who wish to sell or trade decoys in the morning session. Greg can be reached at either gregrenner51@gmail.com or by text at 573-808-6103
The program is being conducted at the Missouri Department of Conservation’s Runge Nature Center in Jefferson City on Saturday March 1, 2025. Runge is at 330 Commerce Dr (HWY 179) in Jefferson City.
On behalf of the Missouri Decoy Collectors we appreciate your interest in this.