I am a retired wildlife ecologist with a lifelong passion for the natural world – and a need to create. I was born and grew up on Long Island’s south shore and so have always enjoyed birds and boats, everything about duck shooting, and all things – animals and plants – that live on the natural landscape. I adopted many of my passions and interests (and skills, too) from my Dad, Theodore (Ted) M. Sanford, Jr, of East Islip (1925 – 2011).
My wife and I live on an old farm in the rolling hills of Washington County, New York. It is dairy country and we lease our fields to local farmers for corn and hay. I retired in 2010 after a very fulfilling 35-year career in natural resource conservation, mostly with NYS Department of Environmental Conservation. I built the shop/studio of my dreams shortly before I retired and am very fortunate to spend many of my days there in creative pursuits – painting, carving, woodworking, building, repairing, restoring, et cetera, et cetera. (The image below is the shop’s door handle – a half-size Tundra Swan head that I mated up with a “repurposed” barn door latch.) I also play on the landscape with my tractor or chainsaw as the spirit – and the seasons – move me.
I live on an old farm because I want to be able to be in nature without having to get in a car and drive there. I can walk out the door – or even just look or listen from inside – and be in touch with an abundance of living things. I am thankful every day that we have been able to achieve our dream – and we try to savor all it has to offer.
Steven Jay Sanford 
Nice Job Steve!
Incredible craftsmanship from the Captain himself. Can’t wait to stop by Pencilbrook and see what new projects are in the making.
Steve
Being retired like yourself and built my own work shop, its great to live life to the full, but one never stops learning and I think this challendge is what makes us more creative and better waterfowlers.
You are a true crafts man in every sence of the word with a fantasric website
Thanks for a very enjoyable look into your life. You do beautiful work in a wide variety of endeavors including this web site.
I enjoyed hunting with you yesterday. Nice web site.
Steve, you appear to be dong well, and continuing your passion, and your work making sure we leave future generations a natural world in better shape than when we inherited it. Thank you. Willie
Steve,Sent you a long reply but something won’t let me send to -www.stevenjaysanford.com—Is THIS a correct addess?? Al Hunt
What a pleasure it was to meet you and Susan at the American Museum of Fly Fishing in Manchester, Vermont. I will look forward to visiting your studio in the not too distant future.
Great talking with you today. Do you have any patterns that you would like to sell.
AW
Very nice Web-site I hope you enjoy our book, it took 30 years of research, Pte. Mouillee Shooting Club History and decoys. ,
I would like to purchase On the falling tide, where do I mail the check and who should it be payable to?
It was a pleasure to visit your farm last year Steve. Kyle and I look forward to a longer stay next time. You are truly living the dream.
better get those brant together fella–Saw a jag of them in Jamaica bay on the belt this weekend. Damn things were flying across the road from a wide gut, out into the bay on the trip home.
Have you ever entered any of your carvings at The Ward World competition in Ocean City, Maryland? There are a couple/few categories where you would be a strong competitor.
Dear Mr Magician that some really nice work
I’m thrilled to be back in touch after 50 years. Your art is magical!
Wow what beautiful work, do you have Instagram? Do you sell your work?
What is the largest wooden duck you make? Our daughter wants ppl to sign a wooden duck instead of a guest book at her wedding in May.
Steven, i saw your post on painting buffies. It was great! I am using it as we chat.
Our paths were similar, i worked 37 years in w conservation, first for KY then 23 years for the US Fish and Wildlife Service. I am now retired and have always wanted to hunt ducks over decoys i made with a dog I trained. At 69, i am teaching myself to carve decoys. My chessie definitely knows how to retrieve ducks if I can hit them!
Do you have any other posts on painting other ducks? Specifically, I am looking at widgeon. Your widgeon decoy looks great!I
Hello, Steve: Please note my email address. I would like to have one of your whimbrel carvings in my collection.
I hope this is reaching mr sanford, and who can tell me who is the person that said “…And I says, says I take an ax man and be done with it. But they must lie in a sea and ride like a hove-to Gloucester schooner.” It’s from Joel Barbers book, but I wasn’t sure if was the original man to say/write it. I love this quote and would like to inscribe it on the bottom of a black duck decoy I’m making for my mentor J. P. Hand of Goshen, NJ.
I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO MAKE A BOAT TRADE WITH SOMEONE LAST YEAR THAT I GAVE HIM MY WRANGLER DB AND I GOT HIS SOUTHBAY THAT WAS ALL FIXED UP YOU
ITS A BEAUTIFULL JOB AND MY SECOND SOUTH BAY
MY QUESTION IS
DO YOU USE A LONG SHAFT 20INCHES OR REGULAR SHART 15
PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU RECOMEND