The story behind the Series 72 decoy
Once upon a time the Herter’s “family” in Waseca MN sat down to create the “ultimate” duck decoy. It needed to be lightweight, unsinkable, and durable. They settled on a solid foam construction and maybe because it was just over 7” wide they called it the Model 72 (Herter’s Model 72 is a trademark of Cabela’s last we checked) and it became the favorite of serious duck hunters in many flyways for the latter half of the 20th century. Untold thousands were sold in most any species of waterfowl that are hunted in North America. Recently here at Autumn Wings we acquired a large stock of new old stock Herter's 72 Suc Duc bodies (Hollow Body), they were a favorite of walk in hunters cause of being extremely light weight and were especially good because they will move like a real duck with the slightest breeze. To make these foam decoys a highly useable decoys that will live thru the rigors of hunting we coated them with are new proprietary coating Autumn Wings One Step. It is similar to restle coating but is 100% waterproof and ready to accept paint without primer. We sell the unpainted bodies separately but we here now offer fully painted Mallards with a choice of the Autumn Wings heads. These are the real deal for a lightweight decoy.
Product Details
7-Layers of Durability
Solid Foam Core
Cement
Burlap
Cement
Waterproof Coating
Paint
Clear Coat Sealer
Dimensions- Approximately 8" wide by 16" long
Weight- Approximately 1/ 2 lb
Durable hand carved wood heads with glass eyes. Linseed oil preserves the wood
followed by hand applied oils. The oils are drawn into the wood grain by the
oil for durability. Sure they may scuff up but that patina (and maybe a pellet
hole) adds to the character only your decoys will have! Heads are shipped
un-mounted with a wood screw instructions provided. Or see our "How to Mount
Heads" tab on the previous page. We provide an integral wood keel for wrapping
line and for applying any ballast weight you may require.
Disclaimer- Since Series 72 are not mass-produced but hand crafted some
variation is going to be observed between decoys of the same species. Guess
what, mother nature operates the same way; real ducks show even more variation
in size and color.Does that make us
more realistic? You decide.
How to mount heads to Series 72
Series 72 comes with wood screw to attach heads to body. This tutorial covers
using a crew to attach the head. Another option is a bolt and threaded insert.
For info on that see how to use threaded inserts on our website.
1. Apply a small dab of waterproof sealer (silicone caulk) over the hole on the
top of the decoy body to keep water from penetrating. Use of adhesive will make
replacing heads in the future more difficult. |
2. Place wood screw in position so point protrudes 1/2" above the top surface
of the decoy body. |
3. Position head where you want it. Hold head securely while drilling screw in.
Tighten carefully so head is does not set into body too far. |
4. Alternate method is to first insert screw. Position head and push by hand to
create a "mark" from screw point. Remove head and drill a small pilot hole.
Then add sealer and screw head into position. |
Video & photos coming soon