Columbia River Decoys Inc.

Columbia River Decoys proudly presents a "Premier Collection" of waterfowl decoys from the original woodcarvings of Northwest carver Donald Guthrie. Donald and Mario learned to carve under Don Baiar of Vancouver Washington, who Donald describes as "a master woodcarver in the mold of some of the great American waterfowl carvers who came from the Astoria, Oregon area." Don carved with Baiar for a couple of years, initially to make some of his own birds because "there was no waterfowl decoy out there with the detail and realistic attitude I wanted." Mario just finished a new decoy which has about 200 hours into it.  "I wanted to add a new species to our line and hopefully I did everyone proud."  Don and Mario's master carvings have 180-200 hours put into to them and that is very apparent in the product today.

All the production of the birds today and the day to day business is being handled by Mario Friendy, who has studied under Donald Guthrie for quite some time now. They are close friends and are both dedicated to making the best decoy money can buy. They both have the utmost respect for using decoys in the waterfowl tradition, and this is evident in the finished product.  "Whether you want to hunt over them or sit them on the fireplace, I am confident that you will enjoy them for a very long time." Mario Friendy

Backrground on Mario Friendy

Mario is the National Pro Staff Manager for Buck Gardner Calls based in Memphis, TN. He is also the Mossy Oak Regional Pro Staff Manager for the Pacific Flyway. He is a Delta Waterfowl member and has been a Ducks Unlimited volunteer since his dad got him started. He has served as an DU Area Chairman and District Chairman in Tualatin Oregon.  He has served on the board and also as President of the Oregon Waterfowl Festival.  He lives for being in a duck blind and tries to spend as many days in the field that he can.  He guides for Pacific Wings Waterfowl Adventures in Richland Washington, Ducks and Dogs LLC in Monmouth Oregon and is the manager of the Amstad Duck Clubs in Sherwood Oregon.