Contest Winners for the 36th Annual Ocean County Decoy and Gunning Show

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