Duckboats forum

while we were talking about the public hunting we do in North Alabama it hit me were I a high schooler today I would not have found my way into this sport like I did in 1983. I don't mean I would have found a different way into the sport. I mean I would never have found a way, period. Those first few years, before I owned a boat, were 100% walk-in spots. Forty three years later the access I needed is gone. I hunted walk-in spots on Lake Guntersville and I was a frequent walk-in hunter... Read more

All~ My earlier U-bolt post was an early step in the vessel I am building for the Tuckerton Show in late-September. 44th Old Time Barnegat Bay Decoy and Gunning Show - September 26 & 27 https://www.co.ocean.nj.us/cultural....aspx?ID=2e868c92-9761-4606-95c5-c3ea2650601a As I intend this boat to be a bit of a surprise, I will not be divulging here the entire, step-by-step process until after the Show. So, I will be depicting only portions of the build... Read more

Henry is interested in how I did my poling platform on my boat and not to deter from his build thread and maybe help somebody else who wants to make their duckboat a bit more fishable in the off season here it is. I don't live where we have the saltwater species like redfish where poling is more common but i use this setup for flyfishing for Carp on the Columbia. I wanted to build a casting platform for the bow this year but just didn't have the time. My goal was to use hand nuts so no... Read more

Picked up a Higbee Sneakbox from my buddy in Montana on my Christmas trip out there. He had bought it from Tony Homer and had it shipped out as well as an Arthur Armstrong boat. He never got around to the Higbee. I don't know the maker or age of it but it solid over all except for all the old spray dodger holes and quite a few tiny bubbles in the old fiberglass job showing after sanding down. Most of the deck is sanded down and we have begun the process of patching holes. Been using... Read more

It's that time of year again & we're coming up quick! Here's the information for this year's Barnegat Bay Decoy & Gunning Show. September 26-27th at the Tip Seaman County Park / Tuckerton Seaport, NJ *I have also attached a few images from the 2025 show event, great time for all with lots to do, boats gear, decoys, food, salt-hay & more.. Additional Information: 2025 Official Show Information ... Read more

I know you folks will like this. Pay attention to the credits and you will also see him in the footage carrying a very special AH Fox shotgun. There is an incredible amount of history in this footage. View this content on Instagram View this content on Instagram

Give a read when you have a spare 5 minutes. Blog update with the rail skiff project. She will be up for sale at the Tuckerton show. https://www.hillmandecoys.com/blog-1-1/they-dont-make-them-like-that-no-more

Picked up a Higbee Sneakbox from my buddy in Montana on my Christmas trip out there. He had bought it from Tony Homer and had it shipped out as well as an Arthur Armstrong boat. He never got around to the Higbee. I don't know the maker or age of it but it solid over all except for all the old spray dodger holes and quite a few tiny bubbles in the old fiberglass job showing after sanding down. Most of the deck is sanded down and we have begun the process of patching holes. Been using... Read more

So my daughter who is also a duck hunter was looking for a woodworking project. She had gained some interest in woodworking after taking a woodshop class in school. It just so happened we needed a good hide for some wary black ducks in a marsh near us. We decided that a few Sanford gunning boxes would fit the bill. Here are some pictures of how the project has progressed. We will hopefully fair and sand this week and get some glass on them by week’s end. Still deciding if we are going to... Read more

I know you folks will like this. Pay attention to the credits and you will also see him in the footage carrying a very special AH Fox shotgun. There is an incredible amount of history in this footage. View this content on Instagram View this content on Instagram