Tom Boozer

A native of Yonges Island, South Carolina, Tom Boozer has been carving decoys for over twenty-five years. He learned the craft from a family friend and local hunter, Olin Ballentine. Ballentine taught him much about the traditional decoy wood, white cedar, and showed him how to select the right tree. Every two years, usually in December or January, Tom goes to a private tract of land on the Congaree Creek to cut his own trees. Following the cutting, Boozer then allows the wood to dry for two years before he begins carving his decoys.

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Higher Education

Tom Boozer Photos | Digital Traditions

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Tom Boozer Video Transcript

Video transcript for: Shaping The Decoy Body Undercutting The Primary Feathers Hollowing Out The Decoy Body Carving The Decoy's Head Finishing The Head Painting Techniques Native American Origins...

Native American Origins | Digital Traditions
- Episode 7 Shaping the Decoy Body | Digital Traditions 1

Video

Grades

Higher Education

Shaping the Decoy Body | Digital Traditions

Episode 1

Boozer works with a draw knife and a rasp to shape the decoy body out of white cedar. Video produced and shot by SC Educational Television.

Native American Origins | Digital Traditions
- Episode 7 Undercutting the Primary Feathers | Digital Traditions 2

Video

Grades

Higher Education

Undercutting the Primary Feathers | Digital Traditions

Episode 2

Boozer working on the tail of the decoy - undercutting primary feathers, using a chisel and rasp to shape the tail section. Produced and shot by SC Educational Television.