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Duck, Duck, Shoot!
The Story of American Waterbirds

On view May 2023 - October 2023

 

Explore the hunting of waterbirds, moving from sustenance hunting to excessive hunting, from near destruction of waterbirds to an environmentally conscious and sustainable American pastime. Wildlife artists, public awareness of waterbirds, advancements in hunting technology, legislative efforts, and a taste (literal) for waterfowl underpin this evolution across the centuries. 

Admission to the John L. Wehle Gallery is included with general Museum admission. 

 

This exhibit is sponsored by:

Ducks Unlimited logo

Explore 19th-century Waterfowling and Conservation

Works of oil, acrylic, and watercolor, colored lithographs, sculpture, historic garments, decoys, natural specimens, L.C. Smith shotguns, the artwork of famed Master L.C. Smith Engraver Albert E. Kraus, and more will be featured in this multi-faceted exhibition. Duck, Duck, Shoot! will be on view in the John L. Wehle Gallery through 2023 season and will be replaced with a new exhibit in May of 2024.

Indigenous waterfowling technology

 

Centuries before European settlers introduced the firearm, Indigenous peoples were successfully utilizing decoy technology in waterfowling. Explore the Indigenous roots of decoy technology, and follow the story through the 19th Century, from functional decoys to decoys as pieces of art.

View works by esteemed 19th-century artists

 

Wildlife artists of the 19th century fed the growing appetite for works of art capturing the likenesses of waterfowl both commonplace and exotic, and moved forward the burgeoning American sentiment to protect and preserve dwindling, or in some cases, near-extinct, species of birds.

Key to the narrative are artifacts such as J.J. Audubon lithographs, Currier & Ives prints of American sportsman life, a mammoth punt gun, and display of Federal Duck Stamps.

Dive into 20th-century conservation efforts

 

The story of waterbird conservation in 20th-century America cannot be told without the greater context of waterfowling and overhunting in the 19th Century. This exhibition will explore waterfowling as a nexus for artists, sportspersons, ornithologists and activists, and dive modern-day efforts to conserve and protect native species of waterbirds.

Gallery Talks, Tours & Programs

Join curators and guest speakers for a number of talks and tours throughout the 2023 season.

“An Empire State of Mind – Origins of US Shotguns and the Waterfowl Conservation Movement” (at the Antiques Preview Party)
Friday, May 12 | 7 p.m.
Join guest speaker Dr. Keith G. Tidball in the John L. Wehle Gallery Lobby

Devilishly Delicious Duck Dishes of the 19th Century Canard à la Presse
Saturday, September 30 | 2 -3 p.m. 
On the first day of our annual Agricultural Fair, visit the John L. Wehle Gallery to sink your teeth into a discussion about popular duck dishes and cooking implements from the 19th century. Hosted by curator Brandon Brooks. 

It pays to be a Member

Museum Members receive free daily admission to GCV&M, guaranteed access to special events, discounts in the Flint Hill Store, and more.