North America's Home for Decoy Collectors Since 1966

The North American Decoy Collectors Association (NADCA) is the oldest and largest organization dedicated to waterfowl decoy collecting in North America. For nearly six decades, we've brought together collectors, carvers, historians, and enthusiasts who share a deep appreciation for one of America's most distinctive art forms.

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• Who We Are

Our Mission

NADCA exists to serve three core purposes:

Foster the Hobby

Encourage the hobby of collecting waterfowl decoys and sporting collectibles, making it accessible and rewarding for everyone from seasoned experts to curious newcomers.

Seek Out & Preserve Old Decoys

Identify, document, and protect historically significant decoys before they're lost to time, ensuring future generations can study and appreciate the craftsmanship of the past.

Gather Information About Carvers & Their Methods

Research and share the stories, techniques, and traditions of the carvers who created these remarkable objects — from anonymous folk artists to legendary names known worldwide.

Everything we do — the annual show, our resources, our community — serves these three goals.

• Our Story

From Ottawa to the Nation's Largest Decoy Show

In 1966, a small group of dedicated collectors gathered in Ottawa, Illinois with a simple goal: reconnect with fellow enthusiasts, share stories, and trade decoys. There was no formal organization, no schedule — just a shared passion for the hand-carved birds that connected them to America's sporting heritage.

What started as a casual gathering quickly grew into something more. Collectors from across the Midwest, then the East Coast, then the entire continent began showing up. By the 1970s, NADCA had become the country's premier destination for decoy enthusiasts. By the 1990s, our annual show was attracting hundreds of exhibitors and thousands of attendees.

Today, NADCA has grown to over 800 members representing all North American Regions. Our members include authors, auctioneers, master carvers, museum curators, magazine publishers, appraisers, and collectors of every experience level. That humble gathering in Ottawa has evolved into the North American Vintage Decoy & Sporting Collectibles Show — the largest event of its kind anywhere in the world.

But no matter how much we've grown, the spirit of NADCA remains the same: a community of people who believe these wooden birds are worth preserving, studying, and celebrating.

• Our Work

What We Do

NADCA is an all-volunteer, nonprofit organization. Every program, event, and resource is driven by collectors who give their time because they love this hobby. Here's how we serve the community:

Education

We publish collector guides, identification resources, and historical research that help members deepen their knowledge. From beginner articles to advanced seminar presentations, our educational content is one of the most valuable benefits of membership. We also offer free decoy identification and appraisal through our expert network.

Community

NADCA connects 800+ collectors through our annual member directory, newsletters, private Facebook group, and the annual show. Whether you're looking for a specific decoy, need help identifying a find, or just want to talk shop with fellow collectors — our community is here for you.

Promotion

We actively promote the hobby of decoy collecting to new audiences. Through outreach, media engagement, and partnerships with auction houses, museums, and publications, we work to ensure that interest in decoy collecting continues to grow for the next generation.

Preservation

At our core, NADCA is a preservation organization. We support efforts to document, catalog, and protect historically significant decoys and the stories of the carvers who made them. When knowledge about a regional carving tradition, a specific maker, or a historically important decoy is at risk of being lost, NADCA steps in.

• Our Leadership

Meet Our Board of Directors

NADCA is led by a dedicated team of volunteer board members who bring decades of collecting experience, industry knowledge, and a genuine commitment to the mission.

Rick Sandstrom

President

Marion, Iowa | Member since 1992

Rick's love for decoy collecting started before his first trip to the duck camp with his dad and grandpa, when he was fascinated by the pile of old decoys assembled for the hunt. That childhood fascination turned into a lifelong passion, and today Rick leads NADCA with a focus on growing membership, strengthening the annual show, and welcoming new collectors into the fold.

Jim Wierzba

Vice President

Mequon, Wisconsin | Member since 1990

Jim's collecting interest is rooted deeply in his home state of Wisconsin, with a particular passion for hand-carved decoys from the Winnebago Lakes area. As Vice President, Jim helps guide NADCA's strategic direction and supports the President in leading the organization's key initiatives.

Steve Handevidt

Secretary

Jackson, Minnesota | Member since 1993

Steve has a wide-ranging interest in sporting collectibles from a broad geographic area, with a particular focus on Heron Lake decoys. As Secretary, he ensures NADCA's operations run smoothly and that the organization's records and communications stay current.

Kurt Woodworth

Treasurer

Olathe, Kansas | Member since 1991

Kurt grew up in Kansas, where he learned to hunt and fish alongside his father Lynn — a well-known early decoy and antique collector. With more than fifty years of NADCA membership behind him, Kurt oversees the association's finances as Treasurer.

Jeff Seregny

Communications

Hilton Head, South Carolina | Member since 2005

Jeff's interest in collecting was fuelled by his father's passion for hunting and for great old decoys — a connection he has kept alive ever since. Jeff leads NADCA's communications, sharing the association's story with members and the wider collecting community.

Bill Dodge

Membership Program Management

Des Moines, Iowa | Member since 1989

Bill's passion for duck hunting was the catalyst for his fascination with duck decoys — a fascination that led him to the rich decoy-making heritage of the Detroit area. Bill manages NADCA's membership programs and works to make joining and renewing as seamless as possible.

Matt Bryant

Membership & Show Programs

Omaha, Nebraska | Member since 1986

Matt's interest in decoy collecting began at a young age, inspired by his father Alan Bryant and family friend Lynn Woodworth — both early decoy and antique collectors. Matt manages membership and show programs, ensuring the annual event runs smoothly for exhibitors and attendees alike.

Al Steffen

Show Operations & Event Security

Silver Lake, Wisconsin | Member since 2001

Al's interest in collecting began with a love of waterfowling, history and art. He had acquired a few decoys but knew next to nothing about them until he attended his first show — and never looked back. Al oversees show operations and event security, keeping the annual gathering running safely and smoothly.

Dave Kneebone

Member Development

Spring Valley, Illinois | Member since 2009

Dave's collecting journey began after attending a small show with Joe Tonelli in 2006 and seeing a wonderful collection paired with incredible stories. Today, Dave focuses on member development, helping NADCA attract and retain new collectors.

Katie Burke

Community Relations

Germantown, Tennessee | Member since 2020

Katie's interest in waterfowling history stems from a childhood spent hunting the Mississippi Delta with her father and brother, with her mother nurturing an early love of art and history. She brings both threads together in her community relations work for NADCA.

Carson Runge

Membership

Longview, Texas | Member since 2024

Carson's interest in decoys began in his teenage years chasing ducks on public lakes around Dallas-Fort Worth, and deepened while working at a local antique shop at sixteen. As one of NADCA's newest board members, he brings fresh energy to the membership team.

Steve Johnston

Board Member

St. Joseph, Missouri | Member since 1978

Steve's interest in decoy collecting began with his enthusiasm for duck hunting alongside his father Wayne and his uncle. He made the early mistakes every collector makes, and has spent the decades since building both a collection and a deep knowledge of the field.

Joe Tonelli

Director Emeritus

Spring Valley, IL & Lake Andes, SD | Member since 1966

Joe's interest in collecting sprang from his days growing up and hunting in the Illinois River Valley. A NADCA member since 1966 — the association's earliest years — he serves as Director Emeritus, and his collection and stories have inspired many of today's collectors.

• At a Glance

NADCA by the Numbers

Nearly six decades of community, preservation, and passion — here's what that looks like.

60+

Years Running

Founded in 1966 — in continuous operation ever since

800+

Members

Representation From All North American Regions

Annual Show

The largest and longest-running show of its kind

100%

Volunteer-Run

No paid staff — every dollar goes directly to programs

Dozens

Collector Resources

Guides, articles, seminars, and mentoring