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Photo by J.J. Reich
Dave Constantine's “Autumn Companions” won 2nd Best of Class in the Decorative Turkey Call Division. |
The Grand Champ of Grand Nationals
Skooner, Kegger and Beer Belly box calls. Not only is Dave Constantine the “Grand Champ of Grand Nationals,” he’s also very creative when naming his field-grade creations.
For the better part of 40 years, Constantine has immersed himself in perfecting his talents as a wildlife artist and master call maker in the Chippewa River Valley of west-central Wisconsin.
Constantine works and lives with his wife, Nancy, inside the walls of a “hand-hewn” log home, which he refers to as his studio. The great, wide-open spaces outside those walls are his research facility (especially during turkey season).
Whittling Winners
Constantine’s reputation spans far beyond the reaches of the Chippewa Valley. In fact, the Wisconsin carver has whittled his way to more than 120 NWTF Grand National Call Making Championships awards. He is also a five-time NWTF Call Maker of the Year.
Among those awards are four NWTF Grand National “Best in Show” Division I Decorative Turkey Call awards. Constantine won in 2001, 2005, 2006 and 2007. This is the most best of show titles held by any custom call maker, according to Charley Burke, a NWTF Regional Field Supervisor and Grand National Contest organizer.
“Dave is a talented carver, painter, wood burner, marketer and hunter. He is very competitive and creative,” said Burke. “He has an eye for what looks good and a creative imagination to transform ideas into works of art. He is one of the best decorative call makers in the world.”
Constantine’s first best of show award in 2001 is a carved and painted box call. However, his all-time, personal favorite call is the all-ivory carved box call that won him the honor in 2006. These winning calls were purchased by the NWTF and are on display at the Winchester Museum in Edgefield, S.C.
At the next nationals
Dave Constantine hopes his success will inspire other call makers to find Grand National glory and offers advice for aspiring winners:
“Be original. It’s okay to be inspired by the work of other people and study their concepts — but it’s very important to be original. Be sure your ideas and concepts are feasible. And create a theme and use elements that are natural.” — J.R.
How will Constantine’s calls do at the 2010 Grand Nationals Call Making Competition? Attend the 34th annual NWTF Convention and Sports Show on Feb. 18 – 21, 2010, in Nashville, Tenn., to find out. Learn more at www.nwtf.org.
Sharing Success
NWTF’s Grand National Call Making Contest awards call crafters for their achievements, but it’s also one of the Federation’s best fundraisers. In 2007, Constantine entered a presentation call that sold at auction for $4,750, and in 2009, he entered a carved box call that sold for $4,850. These sales raise money which ultimately fund NWTF’s conservation efforts.
“I simply love the spirit of the competition,” Constantine said. “It’s the only forum of its kind where call makers can compete and have an opportunity to showcase their work. Raising money for the NWTF is a huge bonus.”
According to NWTF records, Constantine’s contributions (including donations and gifts submitted to NWTF contests, banquets and other fund-raising efforts), have reached the $120,000 Centurion Life Membership Level.
For Display and Play
Although the vast majority of Constantine’s award-winning calls are crafted as collectable/display pieces only, he is an accomplished hunting call maker as well.
Constantine has won several top awards in the Grand Nationals working-class division, proving that his turkey calls are also magical to gobblers’ ears.
“One call is not necessarily better than any other,” Constantine said. “Each is unique, and that’s what makes it good. If I could, I’d hunt with all of them.” — JJ Reich