Famous Duck Decoy Carver

Duck Hunting Culture Photo Essay

The world of waterfowl hunting is a niche that gets ever smaller when you start looking at world class duck decoy carvers. Like any fine art, the elites are in narrow company. Zach Benson is in that group. He began carving in college out of not being able to afford a decoy spread to hunt over. Years later he is known the world over for his one of a kind works of art. The process starts by harvesting cedar trees from his own property. That wood is then milled and laid to dry in his barn. After about a year it’s ready to use, at which point he hand carves each bird, then lays layer upon layer of oil paint.

WHAT MAKES A WORLD CLASS DUCK DECOY?

Early on Benson competed in shows like the Clayton Decoy Show and the Oregon Waterfowl festival. Both of which were great learning experiences, but he quickly learned that they came with too many rules. Art of any kind is subjective, but awards weren’t necesarily given to the best decoy, rather to the one that followed the rules. It did leave any room for creativity. The “winners” were birds that checked every box. So competing didn’t last long for Benson. He wanted to create art, not cookie cutter ducks. Now, the look he is so famously known for is an angry duck in an uncommon position. His ducks have attitude. They are one of a kind. So you’ll still see him year after year at the Clayton Decoy Show in Ohio, but not on the competition floor. Like a lot of other carvers, he shows new work out of his hotel room - where people are encouraged to walk around room to room with a beer in hand. Aside from that, you have to follow Zach on Instagram, where he is very low key, sharing new work in his stories. And if you wait to long on purchasing his latest piece, it will already be gone.

Check out the article below which was published in the most recent issue of Wildfowl Magazine. You can also learn more about him from the VIDEO we made a short while back with Benelli.

Photograph of the best duck decoy carver — Famous duck decoy carver Zach Benson

Photograph of a famous duck decoy carver at work in his shop

Photograph of a waterfowl hunter with his dog in a marsh

World famous duck decoy carver Zach Benson

Photographs of world class custom duck decoys

One of a kind duck decoys from world famous carver Zach Benson

Capture the Beauty of Duck Hunting: Photography of Tranquil Marsh Views from the Duck Blind

The stillness of the marsh at dawn is unlike any other—where the world feels suspended in time, and the only sounds are the subtle movements of nature. From a duck blind, hunters are immersed in a breathtaking view that connects them deeply to the environment. These photographs showcase the serene beauty of those moments—the quiet reflection of the marsh in the water, the mist rising off the reeds, and the vast openness of the landscape.

As a duck hunting photographer, my goal is to capture not just the action, but the peaceful relationship between hunter and environment. These stunning images reflect the calm before the hunt, allowing companies in the duck hunting industry to showcase their gear in the most authentic and serene setting. Whether it’s a perfectly placed blind, a well-crafted decoy, or the right camouflage apparel, these photographs offer a powerful narrative about the connection between the gear and the natural world.

For hunting gear companies, these images are an opportunity to highlight products that enhance the experience of duck hunting, providing a visual representation of both functionality and the serene beauty of the marsh. This collection of photographs not only invites viewers to appreciate the tranquility of the environment but also serves as a testament to the role that quality hunting gear plays in a hunter’s success and enjoyment.