A window into the marsh(carved call)

[Andre's Wood Works aka: TheDecoyDude]

WELLLLL, here is (finally) my very very first carved call. It took a good bit of pushing and kicking for me to finally decide I could do it and a lot of mind scratching to figure out what the heck it was gonna be. I had to give up my normal shape to make this one easier or possible . It is carved on antique cypress from a plantation. It depicts a mallard getting up from a pond and flying over the grass. The two rings are textured to look like bark. The heading "A window..." is what I'd like to name it or something like that. It is finished with tru-oil and will have a brass band that I intend on tarnishing (I want to give it an old look most likely). I'll tell ya'll one thing, this is a whole other animal from decoys and I learned a lot from it. It was nice to get in the shop after spending all week in my brothers appartment in New Orleans, city's aren't good for a man over any amounts of time I find this call to look much better and detailed in person (you can feel where I shaped the bird like a decorative decoy) Enjoy~Andre

[Crawdad]

Andre, you amaze me brother, I wish I had your talent.

[Andre's Wood Works aka: TheDecoyDude]

Thanks crawdad! I've been trying my hardest. I still got several hours on this call, but just couldn't wait to post her   ~Andre

[Aaron at Wingerts Woodworks]

I challenged you to do this and you've definitely risen to the challenge Andre.  Really amazing my friend.  If this isn't finished, I can't wait to see it when it is.   

[MarshRat]

After carving my first call a week ago it looked nothing like this. Amazing job man 

[crookedneck]

That is one sweet looking call!  I like the way you recessed the carving into the "window"   

[Robert A.]

You have some serious talent young man!! That is one amazing job!! 

[TT]

This call looks great, you should be very proud of it.

[jcz]

Great carving. I like the modified shape also. It works really well with the carving. Please re-post it when you get the band and finishing touches on it.

[Andre's Wood Works aka: TheDecoyDude]

Thanks guys I really appreciate it! KC told me I had to at least give carving a call a try, and I had second thoughts/doubts. Finally said to myself "why am I waiting anymore" and this is what I came up with. One thing about cypress is that I had to really fight with the heavy grain making lots of detail hard/impossible for me to make. I will certainly post some more when it has the band and touch-ups. ~Andre

[J.Rode]

Nice job young man.

Jason

[Ulrich's Custom Calls]

Looks great, keep it up

[woodwzrd]

Nice job. Very impressive for your first. 

[Tobin at Copeland Duck Calls]

Nice work.

[Braz]

Andre, I've looked at this call numerous times and just realized I didn't tell you what a great job you did. Wonderful.