Together with his wife, Gayle Nottleman, Sam Nottelman is renowned for his duck art expertise. He is one of just three carvers employed by Wild Wings, where Gayle also works as a painter.

Sam turned his sculpture and pottery hobbies into a career after 33 years as a drummer in a country rock band. Today, he's regarded as a master carver. Every intricate bird sculpture and duck decoy  features detailed and realistic carving work done by Sam in his shop just south of Winona in Minnesota.