By Bruce Urben, WWA President
This article originally appeared in Wisconsin Waterfowl Association’s January, 2022 Newsletter edition.
2018 DCCE winners
WWA’s 2017 Inaugural Decoy Carving Competition and Exhibition (DCCE) started a successful three year run for the contest before having to be cancelled in both 2020 and 2021 due to COVID-19 restrictions. But now I have GREAT NEWS… our 4th Annual Contest is a go and is scheduled to take place on August 26-27, 2022 at the Waterfowl Hunters Expo at the Sunnyview Expo Center in Oshkosh, WI.
Four carving divisions will be offered in 2022 for amateur and experienced carvers, as well as one for our junior carvers! Two International Waterfowl Carver Association (IWCA) divisions will include the “Decorative Non-Floating” and the “Style” working decoy division. Just recently, the IWCA informed us that the Championship for the “Style” Division will be held at our 2022 DCCE. You will see the best carvers in the country compete in this open Division Championship.
Two other divisions will be offered with our own “Sconnie” Division (working decoys with few limitations) and the “Contemporary Antique” Division, current replicas with a contemporary flair, aged and distressed.
2019 WI Decoy Carving Contest’s volunteer judges at work.
Mark your calendars for August 27th, 2022 to visit the Waterfowl Hunters Expo and to see many of the best carvers in Wisconsin and the Midwest compete for top honors in their carving specialty and species. Ribbons will be awarded and cash awards will be given out for all Best of Show designations. Judging will start at noon on Saturday, but all of the entries will be on display by 10:00 a.m. to view until judging begins and then again at approximately 2:30 p.m. after judging is complete to view the winners.
In addition to the hundreds of floating sculptures on display, you will see numerous carving vendors, exhibitions and demonstrations to fit anyone’s interest and budget.
If you are a decoy carver and interested in submitting a decoy for judging you can check out our website at wisducks.org under the decoy carving contest button. The website should be updated by January 15th and will guide you through the rules, registration, judging, categories, awards and submittal options. We will also have a link to our website on the Waterfowl Hunters Expo website as well very soon.
Plan to enter or just visit the DCCE competition to enjoy the age-old handcrafted decoys, many carved using century-old tools and methods. This is one of, and possibly the only, contest being held in Wisconsin; don’t miss it!
If you can’t wait for the website updates and have questions, or if you are interested in being a vendor or exhibitor feel free to contact me at 920-660-2773 or by email at burben@netnet.net.
SEE YOU IN AUGUST!