Duck Decoy Carver - Zach Benson

Famous Duck Decoy Carver

The world of waterfowl hunting is a niche that gets ever smaller when you start looking at world class duck decoy carvers. Like any fine art, the elites are in narrow company. Zach Benson is in that group. He began carving in college out of not being able to afford a decoy spread to hunt over. Years later he is known the world over for his one of a kind works of art. The process starts by harvesting cedar trees from his own property. That wood is then milled and laid to dry in his barn. After about a year it’s ready to use, at which point he hand carves each bird, then lays layer upon layer of oil paint.

WHAT MAKES A WORLD CLASS DUCK DECOY?

Early on Benson competed in shows like the Clayton Decoy Show and the Oregon Waterfowl festival. Both of which were great learning experiences, but he quickly learned that they came with too many rules. Art of any kind is subjective, but awards weren’t necesarily given to the best decoy, rather to the one that followed the rules. It did leave any room for creativity. The “winners” were birds that checked every box. So competing didn’t last long for Benson. He wanted to create art, not cookie cutter ducks. Now, the look he is so famously known for is an angry duck in an uncommon position. His ducks have attitude. They are one of a kind. So you’ll still see him year after year at the Clayton Decoy Show in Ohio, but not on the competition floor. Like a lot of other carvers, he shows newwork out of his hotel room - where people are encouraged to walk around room to room with a beer in hand. Aside from that, you have to follow Zach on Instagram, where he is very low key, sharing new work in his stories. And if you wait to long on purchasing his latest piece, it will already be gone.

Check out the article below which was published in the most recent issue of Wildfowl Magazine. You can also learn more about him from the VIDEO we made a short while back with Benelli.

Famous duck decoy carver Zach Benson

Serenity in the Marsh: Stunning Duck Blind Views that Connect Hunters to Nature

Capture the Beauty of Duck Hunting: Photography of Tranquil Marsh Views from the Duck Blind

The stillness of the marsh at dawn is unlike any other—where the world feels suspended in time, and the only sounds are the subtle movements of nature. From a duck blind, hunters are immersed in a breathtaking view that connects them deeply to the environment. These photographs showcase the serene beauty of those moments—the quiet reflection of the marsh in the water, the mist rising off the reeds, and the vast openness of the landscape.

As a duck hunting photographer, my goal is to capture not just the action, but the peaceful relationship between hunter and environment. These stunning images reflect the calm before the hunt, allowing companies in the duck hunting industry to showcase their gear in the most authentic and serene setting. Whether it’s a perfectly placed blind, a well-crafted decoy, or the right camouflage apparel, these photographs offer a powerful narrative about the connection between the gear and the natural world.

For hunting gear companies, these images are an opportunity to highlight products that enhance the experience of duck hunting, providing a visual representation of both functionality and the serene beauty of the marsh. This collection of photographs not only invites viewers to appreciate the tranquility of the environment but also serves as a testament to the role that quality hunting gear plays in a hunter’s success and enjoyment.

Click here to see more of my duck hunting photography

Benelli - Carved in the Chapel

Duck Hunting Documentary - Benelli

Waterfowl Culture - Photography

It’s a real honor to end 2021/begin 2022 with the introduction of this project that’s been a long time coming. Story telling is something I’ve become very passionate about but it becomes even more fun when you are able to tell the story of someone that’s just as passionate about what they do. And then the cherry on top comes when that person and all the people you’re working with are your friends. I’m very grateful for everything about this project and to be able to tell Zach Benson’s story. He’s a wildly talented guy that’s overflowing with enthusiasm for waterfowl hunting as well as the one of a kind duck decoys that he creates from scratch.

This was one of the first times that I chose to step away from the camera for the most part. Instead taking on the producer role and had a lot of fun with working with a team to create something we are all proud of. All of the beautiful visuals you see were shot by Jordan Valente. We really had a blast making this thing. Loved every second of it. The early mornings. Late nights. Days standing nipple deep in 50 degree water. Laughs. Good food. Whisky. Laughs. All of it.

Please enjoy this 14 minute documentary and feel free to share it with anyone you know that might appreciate Zach’s story. And you can follow along with him on Instagram @benson_decoys or on his website www.zach-benson.com

You can also view more of Jordan Valente’s work at www.amilewest.com Another part of the team was Stephen Werk who did a lot of the editing along with Jordan. He’s got a beautiful documentary of his own out called Sons of Mezcal.

Benelli - Carved in the Chapel