http://www.jsonline.com/sports/outdoors/durand-man-carves-out-a-niche-for-himself-hr47t7b-140444883.html
Durand man has top carved turkey call again
Dave Constantine photo
Dave Constantine’s hand-carved call depicts five Merriam’s wild turkeys in a winter landscape.
e-mail print By Paul A. Smith of the Journal Sentinel
Feb. 25, 2012 |(0) COMMENTS
Dave Constantine of Durand is a tried-and-true Wisconsinite. He wouldn't think of leaving the state in winter.
"At least not yet," said Constantine, 59, with a smile.
So when he uses the term "snow birds," it's strictly in reference to the wildlife he sees in the colder parts of North America.
Constantine's depiction of one such scene in a hand-painted, hand-carved turkey call earned top honors at the 2012 National Wildlife Turkey Federation convention held Feb. 9-12 in Nashville.
The call shows five Merriam's wild turkeys foraging over a winter landscape. Details of leaves, feathers and antlers are also included in the piece, which is made from four types of wood, three types of antler and even a bit of ivory and silver.
The call was named best of show, marking the unprecedented eighth time Constantine has won the honor.
In an NWTF tradition, judges evaluate entries in the decorative turkey call competition and select a best of show call, whose maker is named NWTF grand national champion call-maker of the year and Earl Mickel Award recipient.
The call is purchased by the federation and placed on permanent display in the Wild Turkey Center in Edgefield, S.C.
"It's a high honor to be recognized like this," Constantine said. "I'm one of those lucky people who can spend his life doing something he really loves."
Constantine estimates he spent about 400 hours making "Snow Birds."
A total of 843 calls from 234 call makers were entered in the 2012 competition, according to NWTF officials.
Constantine also won a first and second place in the decorative duck and goose call category.
Other Wisconsin call-makers to win awards were:
Ted Klapperich, Kiel, one first place and one fourth place in decorative turkey call category.
Chuck Wais, Pardeeville, a third place in decorative turkey call, a sixth place in hunting turkey call category, and two seconds and three fourth places in hunting duck and goose call category.
Terry Baker, Ladysmith, fourth, fifth and sixth places in decorative turkey call category.
Cliff Jennings, River Falls, a third place in decorative duck and goose call category.
Robbie Wais, Pardeeville, a fourth place in hunting duck and goose call category.
Wisconsinites also brought home hardware in the turkey calling competitions at the show.
Scott Wilhelm of Chippewa Falls won the gobbling competition at the NWTF grand national turkey calling championships.
Wilhelm, 30, has earned a reputation as one of the nation's top turkey callers, including a first place in the 2011 NWTF friction calling competition and several top-five finishes, including one other first place, in gobbling.
Wilhelm also placed 14th in this year's friction calling category.
Among other Wisconsin contestants, William Morin of Eau Claire tied for 13th in gobbling and Neal Herman of Barron placed 26th in the friction category.
Attendance at the convention was 44,606.
HB's Dave Constantine article in Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel
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Re: HB's Dave Constantine article in Milwaukee Journal-Senti
dan wrote:Congrats to Dave!
x2 that sounds like a heck of an accomplishment
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