A Decoy Corner Article
By Bruce Urben, WWA President
Myron Mackowski blue wing teal
All photos courtesy Wisconsin Sporting Collectibles.
Myron Mackowski’s parents emigrated to the the United States from Prussia in 1890. Together they had six children; four boys and two girls! Myron was born in Princeton, WI, in 1900 and a year later his family moved to Beaver Dam, where his father purchased and ran a general store. As a youngster, Myron spent his fall hunting ducks on nearby Beaver Dam lake. He hunted over his own hand carved decoys and by 1920, he was making canvasback, bluebill, mallard and teal decoys.
Myron graduated from Marquette University in Milwaukee in 1922 with a degree in mechanical engineering and was later employed by the Bucyrus-Erie Company in Milwaukee. Myron was married in 1927 and lived in Milwaukee most of the rest of his life.
Myron Mackowski canvasbacks
In 1924, Myron’s brother, Ambrose, acquired an island in Beaver Dam lake exclusively for waterfowl hunting with his brother, Myron. Myron made all of the mallard and canvasback decoys that they used on their island duck club.
The brothers quit duck hunting on Beaver Dam lake in about 1930. The Mackowski decoys were then retired and spread around to family members.
The craftsmanship on Myron’s decoys is quite outstanding. He carved the bodies from solid white cedar and very few were hollowed. It is clear that Myron’s decoys had a definite Evans Factory decoy influence. The decoy bodies had a slight rough texture that cut down on glare and made the paint last longer. Many had painted wing speculums that also resembled the Evans Factory decoys. Most of the Mackowski decoys found today are in excellent condition; no cracking on the body, loose heads or open joints. This may be attributed to them having been used for only five to six years. This was also a testament to the skillful carving and engineering of a truly great decoy carver.
Myron Mackowski canvasback
Myron Mackowski passed away in 1985 in Milwaukee and his wife passed three years later. They did not have any children.
Some references tell us that Myron and his family may have changed their last name to Mackoske in the 1940’s. There is no reason given, however it was not unusual for families of German/Polish or Jewish descent to change their name around the time of World War II!
If you are fortunate to have a Myron Mackowski decoy in your collection, you have a beautiful piece of floating sculpture that is highly valued by collectors.
Myron Mackowski, another Wisconsin Original Decoy Carver.