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His appreciation of fine hand carved decoys
fostered a friendship with several carvers.
After years of talking to them about someday
carving one himself, World Champion Rick
Johannsen called his hand in 1983. Rick
bandsawed a basic block, handed it to Dick and
told him to get cracking.
According to Dick that first decoy left a lot to be desired, but he refused to quit. By 1986 he entered the Ward Competition in the Novice Division. Over the next few years he continued to learn and draw inspiration from other carvers like Pat Godin and Rick Johannsen. Five years ago Dick entered the World Competition for the first time in the World Shootin’ Rig Division, and now claims back to back Championships. The Ward World Championship Wildfowl Carving Competition was started in 1971. There are numerous divisions, but only five offer a World Championship title. Of these five, the one with a true interest for waterfowl hunters is the World Shootin’ Rig. Each rig is comprised of three decoys that are judged while floating in the bay. |
| This division is also the most popular, and arguably has the highest level of competition. In fact, of the nineteen entries this year six carvers were previous World Champions. |
| Dick’s winning entry this year was three black
ducks that were commissioned by one of his
customers. This entry highlighted his
versatility since his winning entry last year
was a trio of redheads. Second place this year
was claimed by Pat Godin with three bluebills
carved from the same pattern used for the
Cabela’s® Real-Image™ Decoys. Third place went
to Rick Johannsen with his entry of three
ring-necks. These men also claimed the top three
honors last year as well, and all are involved
in carving decoys for GHG®.
Between winning World Championships Dick has
carved 22 decoys for the GHG® Decoy Program. He
has also carved six decoys that have been
reproduced in polyresin for the Ducks Unlimited
Event Merchandise Package. Four of those decoys
have already been through a banquet season, and
another pair will be available this year.
According to Ducks Unlimited, the Dick Rhode
Shooting Rig Collection, which comprises of a
Black Duck pair and a Pintail pair, has helped
raise nearly $1,000,000 for habitat conservation
over the past 2 fundraising years. These decoys
were available exclusively through Ducks
Unlimited and were found at thousands of DU
events throughout the United States. |
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| The Ward World Championship is inspired by
tradition, and tradition and family are what
inspires Dick Rhode. At some point in the
carving process he has used his father’s old
draw knife on every decoy he has produced since
1983. The support of his wife, Janet, has
allowed him to make the most of his carving
talents, and the freedom to share the tradition
of waterfowl hunting with his two sons, Matt and
Jared, keeps him focused on the future.
Dick Rhode’s work is available on commission by contacting him at drhode@cros.net or through his website at www.dickrhode.com. |
BLACK DUCK - 2ND BEST OF SHOW - 2004
Ward World Champion Rig 2006
Ward World Champion Rig 2005
Click Images For Larger View
DRAKE REDHEAD
PINTAIL DRAKE
PINTAIL DRAKE
BLACK DUCK
HEN GREENWING
DRAKE GADWALL
HEN PINTAIL
HEN MALLARD