ZACH HOUVENER

Where are you from?
I was born and raised in Edmonds, Wa

When did you start?
I started on December 25th, 2006...I asked for Willys beginner's kit and I started rasping right after I got it!

Why did you start?
I love the traditional aspect of waterfowling. Carving and hunting over a decoy that was hand-made just sounded right to me. I love every bit of carving and can't wait for what the future holds! This coming season I have already doubled the birds I had for last year, and I have given away and entered a few birds as well.

Favorite specie to carve?
I like a new challenge, and one of my goals is to carve a pair of every huntable N.A. bird and have a chance to harvest the specie with that particular decoy. That said, my favorite specie to carve is a black duck, even though we don't have them in the Pacific Flyway.

Favorite specie to hunt?
Pintail

If you compete, what level (Novice, Intermediate, Open, etc.) and Category?
I have only entered one show, at Novice, but the real judges for me are the ones with wings!

Favorite Show?
I plan on attending the Columbia Flyway show, held in Vancouver, WA this coming September. Im sure I will love it.

Most influence on your carving style?
Anything that is new and exciting. Im a sucker for unique poses, and I really want to add a few to my rig each and every year.

Favorite medium? (Type of wood and paint)
I'd been carving cork up until 4 or 5 birds ago. I love the smell of red cedar shavings, and I paint all birds in oil paint.

What are you working on now? Future plans?
I just finished a rig of puddlers (2 mallards, 2 pintails, and a couple no head feeder teal).
Future plans...Half a dozen each of pintails and widgeon, as well as carve some brant from some big wood given to me by Tom Newell!

Favorite style of carving ( Decorative, antique, gunners, IWCA, shorebird)
Gunners, but I love seeing the paint and carving on an IWCA type bird. My favorite birds are that of the gentlemen who came before us - The Wards, Gus Wilson, Shang Wheeler, Joseph Lincoln, Elmer Crowell, Harry Shrouds, to name a few

If you could add three birds to your collection, what specie and from whom?
Tough choices but a Thomas Chambers canvasback, A Keith Mueller eider, and a Gus Wilson "rocking head" blackduck.

Most difficult part of carving in your mind?
Having the vision of the look and feel I want, and then actually making my hands accomplish this.

What, or who, inspires you?
Older carvers, the Wards "1936" style of birds, Gus Wilson unique birds. I like the simplicity of the Ontario carvers such as Tom Chambers and JR Wells. Modern day, Bill Gibian, Delaware River carvers, and anything from Keith Mueller

Name 5-10 essentials for carving
Creativity
Bandsaw
Knife
A good pattern to start from
Sandpaper
A sharp drawknife
Something to hold your piece down firm
Passion for carving and carving history
Pencil, never stop drawing on the wood!