DECOY & SPORTING COLLECTIBLE AUCTION
Dennis Hays Collection
Monday Evening March 23rd 6pm EST
featuring investment grade decoys from today's most sought-after contemporary carvers
Jim Schmiedlin
Keith Mueller
Mark McNair
Bill Gibian
Cigar Daisey
Marty Hanson
George Strunk
Sean Sutton
Dan Bruffee
Grayson Chesser
Marty Collins
Ben Heinemann
& More
Full catalog coming soon
We will be featuring the Dennis Hays Collection at the
Great Lakes Decoy Show - March 19th - 21st. Independence, Ohio
We will be accepting Online and Absentee Bids. Call Grant to coordinate your bids!
231-651-9099
Thanks, and happy collecting!
Grant & Megan Cole
231-651-9099
Dennis was born in July 1962 and developed a passion for woodworking in his early teens. He quickly immersed himself in carving, whittling, and lathe work, creating carved Santas, birds, rolling pins, and a wide variety of intricate projects—always drawn to pieces that presented a challenge. In his twenties, he began carving decoys and crafting duck calls, ultimately earning the distinction of World Champion in duck call carving.
Approximately twenty years ago, Dennis met master carver Jim Schmiedlin, whose exceptional craftsmanship deepened Dennis’s appreciation for decoys and further fueled his passion. He became both an accomplished carver and an avid collector, taking great pride in hunting over his own decoys as well as those crafted by Jim Schmiedlin, Sean Sutton, George Strunk, and many other distinguished carvers.
After a courageous seven-year battle with lung cancer, Dennis passed away on October 5, 2025. His legacy lives on within the decoy community he cherished so deeply. His passion for the art of carving and the traditions of waterfowl hunting continues to inspire all who knew him.
We are truly honored to represent Dennis’s collection at auction and to help share his lifelong passion with fellow collectors and enthusiasts.
Grant & Megan Cole
Approximately twenty years ago, Dennis met master carver Jim Schmiedlin, whose exceptional craftsmanship deepened Dennis’s appreciation for decoys and further fueled his passion. He became both an accomplished carver and an avid collector, taking great pride in hunting over his own decoys as well as those crafted by Jim Schmiedlin, Sean Sutton, George Strunk, and many other distinguished carvers.
After a courageous seven-year battle with lung cancer, Dennis passed away on October 5, 2025. His legacy lives on within the decoy community he cherished so deeply. His passion for the art of carving and the traditions of waterfowl hunting continues to inspire all who knew him.
We are truly honored to represent Dennis’s collection at auction and to help share his lifelong passion with fellow collectors and enthusiasts.
Grant & Megan Cole
