Dick Rhode Claims 2nd Ward World Carving Championship By Bill Cooksey May 4, 2005

Competing in championships was far from Dick Rhode’s mind when, as a child, he watched his father carving cedar telephone poles into decoys with hand tools and an old Sears band saw. In fact he really never gave much thought to carving decoys himself, and he continued to use those cedar decoys after his dad passed away when Dick was a senior in high school. Though Dick didn’t realize it, the carving seed had been planted, and only a gentle push was required to make it sprout. A perfectionist by nature, Dick wasn’t satisfied with production decoys.

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.

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.