Native American style decoys became popular in the upper Midwest starting in the mid 1800's. So popular, in fact, that they were banned (except on reservations) in 1910. But the Depression came along and ice fishing became popular as a way to put food on the table. Soon a number of decoy factories and carvers emerged, offering their products to anglers. Collectors look for whimsical colors and designs, original patterns, and especially for the work of 'master carvers' like Harry Seymour and Yock Meldrum.