Wesley Batterson Feeding Brant

Wesley Batterson (b. 1909) Batterson, OR, c. 1950 22 in. long

According to "Wildfowl Decoys of the Pacific Coast," Wes "...is the most important, and certainly the most famous, brant hunter in the state of Oregon." He was prominently featured, as were his decoys, by authors and artists of his era. Brant hunters on both coasts are indebted to Batterson for perfecting and disseminating his trilling "Kr-r-r-r-ruck, Kr-r-r-r-ruck, Kr-r-r-r-ruck" brant mouth-calling technique.

A 1950s photo of this salty legend shows his small brant rig behind him with three decoys that may likely include this exact hollow feeder. Old paint with heavy gunning wear and some darkening to wood.

Provenance: Richard and Dorothy Wheeler Collection

Literature: Michael R. Miller and Frederick W. Hanson, "Wildfowl Decoys of the Pacific Coast,” Portland, OR, 1989, p. 117, related carvings illustrated.

Provenance

Richard and Dorothy Wheeler Collection