Delbert Daisey

Delbert Lee "Cigar" Daisey (March 6, 1928 – April 19, 2017),[1] known as "Cigar" Daisey, was an American waterfowl wood carver and decoy maker.[2] He was born in Chincoteague, Virginia. He lived at the Refuge Waterfowl Museum.[3] His decoy carvings are recognized for both their artistic value and functionality as working pieces for waterfowl hunting.

Cigar Daisey
Born (1928-03-06)March 6, 1928
Chincoteague, Virginia, U.S.
Died April 19, 2017(2017-04-19) (aged 89)
Chincoteague, Virginia, U.S.
Nationality American
Field Wood carver, Decoy maker

His works include black ducks, mallards, redheads, ruddys and red-breasted mergansers and often crafted in drake (male) and hen (female) pairs.

He had carved about 1900 ducks in total and he generally used cork or wood as his medium. He carved his first duck out of balsa wood in 1940 at his father's wood shop.

The Smithsonian has his works in their collection. He earned his nickname in 1945 while leaving cigar butts to taunt game wardens while poaching ducks on Assateague Island.[4] Later in life, Daisey was an avid conservationist.[4]

Daisey died on April 19, 2017 in Chincoteague, Virginia, aged 89.[5]

Delbert Daisey Media

References

  1. "[1]", Delmarva now obituary notice for Delbert Lee "Cigar" Daisey, 21 April 2017
  2. "[2]", U.S. Census, 1940, Chincoteague Magisterial District, Accomack, Virginia
  3. Collins, Dennis. "Former Outlaw Hunters Carving Out New Lives", The Washington Post, April 13, 1982, p. C3.
  4. 4.0 4.1 Harden, Blaine. "Killer of 30,000 Ducks", The Washington Post, August 11, 1979, p. D2.
  5. Carol Vaughn (April 22, 2017). "Legendary Chincoteague carver 'Cigar' Daisey dies". Delarva Times. Retrieved April 22, 2017.