Duck calls are used to lure flying ducks into the water near the hunter and his decoys. Researchers believe mechanical duck calls originated about 1850. Mouth calling was also used, perhaps first by Native Americans. Artificial calls came into demand with the outlawing of live decoys in 1935. The first patent for a duck call was by Elam Fisher of Detroit in 1870. It consisted of a reed attached to a mouthpiece. Fred Allen of Monmouth, Illinois made the first modern-style call in 1863.
A new company founded on the Eastern Shore of Virginia, Duck Calls by Finney now brings form and function to mechanical calls.
According to founder and artist Mary Finney, Duck Calls by Finney is committed to providing functional art for both the collector and the sportsman. Mary Finney has been producing wildlife artwork with her husband Frank for over 20 years in their home studio in Capeville, Virginia.
“We were curious about the process of mold making and casting, and experimented by making a few calls and discovered there was a lot of interest,” Finney told the Mirror
Each of the molds are engineered and made one at a time in the Finney workshop. Mary then hand paints each one individually herself, using premium oil pigments. They are sealed and the sound mechanism inserted, which is made by quality call manufacturer, Echo.
“These are resin casts from our original carvings–you can’t find them anywhere else,” Finney said.
Since each call is hand painted, they can be customized with colors, names, engravings, and more-making them fantastic gifts. These one of a kind calls can be purchased through the website, www.duckcallsbyfinney.com. If you would like to carry Duck Calls By Finney in your local shop, please reach out to Mary Finney at MHFinney@aol.com.
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