Welcome to MarketGunner.com!
This web site is dedicated
to the market gunners, their inventions, techniques and a period of time when hunting waterfowl was a way of life. From
the heyday of hunting clubs and market shooting to the present, much has been written to chronicle the history of waterfowl
hunting. Prior to the Migratory Bird Act of 1918, market gunning was a necessary and respected profession,
providing income and food for many generations.
To supplement their income, many market gunners
carved decoys for less-talented hunters, and today these are highly prized by collectors. Large rigs, often in the hundreds,
were needed for market gunners to hunt the bays and flats effectively. These amazing men guided for the
wealthy and were reknown for their skills on the water. From the Chesapeake Bay where it all started, through the
Carolinas and all the way to the mouth of the Mississippi River, Market Gunners applied their talents in
the persuit of waterfowl to earn a living and feed a hungry nation.
Referencing many books and photographs,
I've tried to recreate their boats, guns and tools of the trade with as much authenticity as possible.
With no plans, drawings or instructions to follow, I've created my own templates through trial and error, using only photographs
as reference. These models are high-quality products, made one at a time and priced very reasonably.
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| A fine replica of a Chesapeake Bay Sneak Skiff. |
Many hours go into creating
these replica models of a time gone bye. Custom orders can also be made; call or email and let me know
what you want.
