March 3, 2004
Turkey carver struts his stuff
Reynolds competes in national turkey call carver contest
By
Herald staff writer
Jim Reynolds knows how to talk turkey.
The nation's best turkey call carvers, including Reynolds of Traverse City, gathered in Columbus, Ohio last month to showcase their wares at the National Wild Turkey Federation's 28th annual convention and sport show.
Reynolds, who has been carving decorative turkey calls for several years, earned an honorable mention for his tiger maple turkey head call in the decorative box call - carved, not painted division.
"I took a first place last year, so I'm a little disappointed, but honorable mention out of 90 to 100 calls isn't bad," said Reynolds who spends about a month carving the intricate detail in each call.
Though turkey calls are Reynolds latest carving venture, he has been carving wildlife forms since 1979.
"I started carving decoys, just basic forms, for my own personal use. Then I saw a guy at a show who used a wood burner to put feathers on a duck. I figured I can do that. One thing led to another and I've carved everything from loons and ducks to life size black bears and totem poles," Reynolds said.
The diversity in size and subject is what keeps Reynolds interested.
"I really like doing the fine work for a while, carving the small feathers and detail - but then I like to do the big work too, I really like to work on several projects at once. It keeps me busy," said the avid outdoorsman.
"While I love to carve, I really love to get out in the woods and hunt - and encourage others who share the same interests," said Reynolds, president of the Boardman River Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation.
"We are hoping to start a "Wheeling Sportsman" group here in northern Michigan. I don't know what better thing you could do for your fellow sportsman - for those with disabilities who can't get out into the woods anymore," Reynolds noted.
The Boardman River Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation will hold their sixth annual membership banquet at 6 p.m., March 12 at the Park Place Hotel. For tickets or more information about the banquet or his turkey calls, call Reynolds at 947-1599.