Hi, I'm Steven Cogar.
My interest and knowledge of waterfowl did not surface until I was in College at the University of Missouri on a Pre-Vet track. I had always been an avid hunter, but the rural community that I grew up in was enough off the flyway that waterfowl hunting was not a common past time in my area. When introduced to waterfowl hunting, around 2000, I jumped in with both feet. You could say I was obsessed. It took priority over all things, including school.
I thought “I can do that” and “how exciting would it be to hunt over decoys that I had carved”. Once again, I jumped in and bought a kit from Willy at theduckblind.com. I carved my first decoy in 2007 based off this kit. Let me just say that what I thought I could do and what I actually could do were two very different things. Even though my decoys looked like something from a horror movie, I was hooked.
I continued to dabble in decoy carving over the years while finishing Veterinary school, my internship and residency. In 2011 I moved to North Carolina and meet some of the world’s best carvers, mentors, and friends. This was a turning point and my decoys started to take shape and actually resemble a duck. They not only helped me with this progression but also encouraged me to get involved in decoy competitions. The carving community at the shows and competitions have always been inviting and is what helps push me to want to improve my carvings. It also helps that I have a supporting wife and kids that are tolerant of my obsession.