Barnegat Bay tradition was the force behind the 36th Annual Ocean County Decoy & Gunning Show last weekend. The event, held Sept. 29and 30, highlighted the baymen, craftsmen and many traditions that are part of life on the bay. Events were distributed between two locations in Tuckerton: Tip Seaman County Park and the Tuckerton Seaport.

Three men were honored this year for living their life in the Barnegat Bay tradition and received the Hurley Conklin Award. Arthur (“Artie”) Birdsall of Point Pleasant is a fourth-generation carver. Jamie (J.P.) Hand of Goshen is a well-known decoy carver from Cape May County. Dave Rhodes of Ocean City is known for shorebird carving.

The Ocean County Decoy and Gunning Show Contest Winners for 2018—

Barnegat Bay tradition was the force behind the 36th annual Ocean County Decoy & Gunning Show. The event, held Sept. 29 and 30, highlighted the baymen, craftsmen and many traditions that are part of life on the bay. Events were distributed between two locations in Tuckerton: Tip Seaman County Park and the Tuckerton Seaport.

Three men were honored this year for living their life in the Barnegat Bay tradition and received the Hurley Conklin Award. Arthur (“Artie”) Birdsall of Point Pleasant is a fourth-generation carver. Jamie (J.P.) Hand of Goshen is a well-known decoy carver from Cape May County. Dave Rhodes of Ocean City is known for shorebird carving.

The Ocean County Decoy and Gunning Show Contest Winners for 2018:

Archery-Waterfowl Contest: Sean McIntyer, Little Egg Harbor

Gunning Contests

World Championship Skeetshoot from a Sneakbox: Shaun Van Daley, Galloway

Women’s Championship Skeetshoot from a Sneakbox: Angelina D’Aquanno, Sicklerville

Ages 15 to 17 Youth Championship Skeetshoot from a Sneakbox: Jonathan Spafford, Forked River

Boat Contests

Best Model Boat: Chris Peszia, Riverton

Barnegat Bay Sneakbox Traditional: Bob Fricke, Little Egg Harbor

Contemporary Class Barnegat Bay Sneakbox: David Clark, North Kingstown, R.I.

Traditional Class South Jersey Duck Hunting Boat: Frank Bennett, Monroeville

Antique South Jersey Gunning Boat Restoration: Jode Hillman, Mullica Hill

Contemporary Gunning Boat Development Class: The Duck Boat Co., East Dennis, Mass.

South Jersey Pond Box: Ken Barnett, Egg Harbor City

Traditional Working Boat: Battle Wagon Boats, Philadelphia, Pa.

Decoy Contest Awards

Barnegat Bay Gunning Decoy: Barry Griffiths, Cedar Run

Contemporary Barnegat Bay Gunning Decoy: Richard Jessen, Manahawkin

Bird of the Year: Barry Levine, Toms River

Barnegat Bay Gunning Decoy Rig: Bernie Fleming, Manahawkin

Miniature Barnegat Bay Gunning: Ron Stevens, Elizabeth City, N.C.

Miniature Delaware River Gunning: Ron Stevens, Elizabeth City, N.C.

Delaware River Gunning Decoy: Mike Braun, Blackwood

Delaware River Gunning Decoy Rig: Gary Bell, Brick

Cork Gunning Decoy: Matt Canterbury, Galloway, Ohio

Contemporary Gunning Decoy: Robin Oliver, Manahawkin

Head Whittling: Lester Worrell, Tabernacle

Traditional Shorebird Decoy: Duncan Szeliga, Farmington, N.H.

Decorative Slick Shorebird Decoy: Kevin Hammell, Point Pleasant

Traditional Shorebird Rig: Jack Murray, North Cape May

Working Fish Decoy: Eric McDermott, Moorestown

Decorative Fish: John Fish, Absecon

Best Decorative Bird: James McClaskey, Franklinville

Youth Gunning Decoy: Anthony Conti, Bayville

Youth Shorebird Decoy Contest Ages 16 and Younger: Emily Conti, Bayville

Ages 14 and Younger: Youth Gunning Decoy: Justin Clemens, Bordentown

Retriever Contests 

Retriever Puppy: Ray Perotti and “Scout,” Burlington

Retriever Novice: Peter Slattery and “Banog,” Sussex

Advanced: Neil Glenn and “Cooper Chase,” Tabernacle

Bird Calling Contests

New Jersey State Duck Calling Championship: Shane Murphy, Hillsborough

Barnegat Bay Hunters Duck Calling Championship: Al Dagger, Townsend, Del.

New Jersey Goose Calling Championship: Shane Murphy, Hillsborough

Youth Barnegat Bay Open Duck Calling: Dennis Newcomb, Pittsgrove

Youth New Jersey Duck Calling: Dennis Newcomb, Pittsgrove

Youth Barnegat Bay Goose Calling: Dennis Newcomb, Pittsgrove,

Youth New Jersey Goose Calling: Dennis Newcomb, Pittsgrove

Art Contest: Dee Turba, Little Egg Harbor

New Jersey Photo Contest: Rebecca Thibault, Clayton

(Photos by: Pat Johnson )

Austin Smith from Delaware counts the retrievers in Santa's wheel barrow carved by Vincent Giannetto III. (Photo by: Pat Johnson )

(Photo by: Pat Johnson )

(Photo by: Pat Johnson )

(Photo by: Pat Johnson )

Dog seems to be walking on water just before catching the toy thrown by his master in the Delmarva Diving Dog competition. (Photo by: Pat Johnson )

Big air competition drew dogs who jump for joy. (Photo by: Pat Johnson )

Popular holiday wreath for gunners' made of empty shotgun shells. (Photo by: Pat Johnson )

Carvers can buy cast feet for their wading and ornamental birds. (Photo by: Pat Johnson )

These boots are made for mucking. (Photo by: Pat Johnson )

Vendors relax under their tents on the last day of the event. (Photo by: Pat Johnson )

Ocean County pontoon boat gave visitors a tour of Tuckerton Creek. (Photo by: Pat Johnson )

Dock diving dog jumps as the crowd roars encouragement. (Photo by: Pat Johnson )

Spectator looks over winning decoys. (Photo by: Pat Johnson )

Decoy rigs float on Lake Pohatcong. (Photo by: Pat Johnson )

Ocean County naturalist gives tour of creek pointing out bird life and vegetation. (Photo by: Pat Johnson )

Midway food tents supported local churches and organizations. (Photo by: Pat Johnson )

View from Tuckerton's Main Street across the lake. (Photo by: Pat Johnson )

Giant spider attacks the Tucker's Island Lighthouse as the Tuckerton Seaport prepares for Halloween and the Haunted Seaport (Photo by: Pat Johnson )