Charles Bergman Decoys
Decoy Makers, Duck Skiff Builders and Duck Hunting on the lower Columbia River
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Charles A. Pice


Pice pintail 1940 classic high neck style

 CHARLES A. PICE (1886-1957)

   Pice was born in Blind Slough near Brownsmead, Oregon. After returning from WWI, he worked in the timber industry as a Steam Donkey Whistle Punk and later as a commercial fisherman, beach seining with his brother, Henry, at Woody Island.
   Pice didn’t hunt much but enjoyed making decoys and the extra income it produced. A recent trip to the old Pice house unearthed two of his pintail templates beautifully painted and nail to a beam in the basement were he used to carve. 
   Pice’s early birds were stylized after Mason Factory Premier grade decoys some of these Mason decoys have been found repainted in Pice’s style.
   All of his decoys are made from red cedar and are hollowed from the bottom then a ½" bottom board was nailed on. He produced both high and low-neck blocks, both artistically painted. The high neck decoys are collector classics, but the long thin necks were easily broken while hunting. Pice painted eyes on his decoys, but some hunters added glass or tack eyes. He made mallard, pintail and canvasback decoys. Widgeon, brant and geese were reportedly made, but none have been found to date. Estimated 1500 birds were produced in the 1930’s and 1940’s.
    Pice sold his decoys directly from his home at Woody Island and through various local stores such as Oregon Marine for about $15 a dozen.

E-Mail  Billdecoy@gmail.com | Phone: 503-325-2759