Acclaimed Dorchester County Waterfowl Carver, Warren Saunders, Jr., was invited to Capitol Hill for the 'Welcome Back' Reception for members of the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus hosted by The Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation. The event was attended by over 120 leaders of major conservation organizations, corporate partners and congressmen. "How's your hunting season?" is probably not a question frequently asked in the halls of Congress-but neither is a hatchet and knife carrying guest usually asked into the halls of Congress.
Saunders said,"The Capital Police had called me a week before and asked if I really had to bring a hatchet. I told them yes and I also had to bring really sharp knives, or I couldn't demonstrate chopping out a decoy body and carving a head. The man called me back with specific directions for security and said everyone had been alerted to my arrival."
"When my wife and I arrived at the first security point, they brought out the bomb detection dog. I thought he would never clear the truck and finally the handler asked if I hunted allot, because his dog was showing such a high interest in the vehicle." Saunders responded,"I hunt almost everyday." The handler said that explained his dog's interest because of gun powder residue on guns, clothes, boots and tires.
"After the hydraulic barriers were down we proceeded to the second security point and docked the truck into a bay. Two Capital Police helped unload the decoys and demonstration supplies onto a flatbed carrier and then examined the hatchet and knives. They escorted us with constant radio contact to security saying 'The hatchet man is approaching the reception area. And what a wonderful Reception; great conversation and 'wild' food."
The Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation is the most respected and trusted hunting and fishing organization in the political arena. CSF President Jeff Crane and a score of selected wildlife and conservation groups were invited to meet with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and the Democratic Steering and Outreach Committee on February 13th to discuss sportsmen's issues. The invitation called for an exchange of ideas on preserving our fish and wildlife habitats and outdoor heritage.
www.sportmenslink.org
"Among some of the folks I met were Don Young, the Executive Vice-President of Ducks Unlimited and Bob Model, the President of Boon and Crockett and U.S. Representative Duncan Hunter (R-CA) who had been running for President. It was an honor to be invited. And as I was escorted out of the building the last radio message I heard was, 'The Hatchet Man is leaving the building."
www.saundersdecoys.com
Arline Chase of WriteWords Inc. called Saunders to get a photograph of a hanging dead duck. She wanted to use it on the cover of a new book by Author Helen Chappell called DEAD DUCK, www.cambridgebooks.us . It is a story of murder and mystery that takes place at the Eastern Shore Decoy Jamboree in Easton. Saunders hanging decoyappears as a shot duck falling out of the sky. "So my hanging Canvasback really did get to fly over water and get shot down. It's right there on the cover of the book," said Saunders, who delighted in the idea.
Hanging Canvasback can be seen on Album page.
Warren Saunders is The Grand National Carver of the Year 2005.
His carving was unveiled at the Cambridge Yacht Club in October. The Grand National Waterfowl Hunt Award for Top Gun was presented in November.
EVENTS 2008 Look for Warren At:
The Winyah Bay Heritage Festival
Georgetown, South Carolina
January 18th, 19th and 20th
National Outdoor Show
Golden Hill, Maryland
February 22nd and 23rd
White Stone Wildlife Art Show
White Stone , Va
March 14th, 15th and 16th
Patuxent Wildlife Art Show
Laurel, Md
March 29th and 30st
Lake Country Wildlife Art Festival
South Hill, Va
April 19th and 20th
Harve de Grace Decoy & Wildlife Festival
Harve de Grace, Md
May 2nd, 3rd and 4th Judge and Competitor
Mardela Heritage Day
Mardela, Maryland
May 10th
Potomac Wildlife Art Show and Auction
Greater Waldorf Jaycees Hall
June 20th 6:30 to 10:30
http://www.charlescommunityfoundation.org/
301-885-0108
Chestertown Wildlife Exhibition and Sale
Chestertown, Md
October 17th & 18th
Waterfowl Festival
(Elementary School Building)
Easton, MD
November 14th- 15th- 16th
Classes 2008
Dorchester Art Center in Cambridge, Md
Spring Carving Class
Old Squaw Drake and Black Duck Drake
Chestertown, Maryland
April 5th and 6th
Blue Bill Drake and Antique Goose
EVENTS 2007 History
The Winyah Bay Heritage Festival
Georgetown, South Carolina
January 12th and 13th
White Stone Wildlife Art Show
White Stone , Va
March 17th and 18th
Patuxent Wildlife Art Show
Laurel, Md
March 30th and 31st
Lake Country Wildlife Art Festival
South Hill, Va
April 21st and 22nd
Currituck Wildlife Festival
Currituck, N C
September 8th and 9th
Chestertown Wildlife Exhibition and Sale
Chestertown, Md
October 19th and 20th
Waterfowl Festival
(Elementary School Building)
Easton, MD
November 9th, 10th, and 11th
Classes 2007
Dorchester Art Center in Cambridge, Md
February 8th- Carving Class
Loon
Chestertown Fire Hall, Chestertown, Md
March 23rd and 24th
Mallard Drake
EVENTS 2006 Look for Warren At:
White Stone Wildlife Art Show
White Stone , Va
March 17th and 18th
Patuxent Wildlife Art Show
Laurel, Md
April 1st and 2rd
Harve de Grace Decoy & Wildlife Festival
Harve de Grace, Md
May 5th-6th-7th Judge and Competitor
Dorchester Heritage Day
Cambridge, Md
May 13th
Currituck Wildlife Festival
Currituck, N C
September 9th and 10th
Bass Pro Shop Outdoor World
Maryland Duck and Goose Calling Championship
Arundel Mills
Baltimore, MD
September (don't have exact date yet)
Chestertown Wildlife Exhibition and Sale
Chestertown, Md
October 20th and 21st
Waterfowl Festival
(Elementary School Building)
Easton, MD
November 10th, 11th, and 12th
"In the beginning of the year I will be in Georgetown, South Carolina for the Winyah Bay Heritage Festival. This will be their first show and I'm excited about it. I met these folks when I was exhibiting in Currituck Wildlife Festival in North Carolina this year."
Classes 2006
Art Works
Chestertown, Md
February 11th & 12 beginner all day
Canvasback Drake
Dorchester Art Center in Cambridge, Md
February 9th- Power Carving Class
Hooded Merganser Drake
Carving Seminar
Chestertown, Md
April 22nd & 23rd
Canvasback Hen & Swann
In September there will be another class in the Chestertown area.
Please notify Warren if you are interested in joining a class,or have
suggestions for a class. Send in your name using the contact page
and you will be called for upcoming classes.
Contact Warren for directions to any events.
Warren Saunders is The Grand National Carver of the Year 2005.
His carving was unveiled at the Cambridge Yacht Club in October. The Grand National Waterfowl Hunt Award for Top Gun was presented in November.
EVENTS 2005 Look for Warren at:
White Stone Wildlife Art Show
White Stone, Va -March
Patuxent Wildlife Art Show
Laurel, Md-April
Harve de Grace Decoy and Wildlife Festival
Harve de Grace, Md-May
Currituck Wildlife Art Festival
Currituck, North Carolina
September 10th and 11th
Chestertown Wildlife Show
Chestertown, MD.
September 14th and 15th
Bass Pro Shop Outdoor World
Maryland Duck and Goose Calling Championship
Arundel Mills
Baltimore, MD
September 24th and 25th
Waterfowl Festival
(Elementary School Building)
Easton, MD
November 11th, 12th, and 13th
Blackwater Wildlife Refuge
Grand Opening of the New Visitor's Center
Cambridge, MD
December 3rd 9am to 4pm
Spring Classes 2005
Classes this year have included a Canvasback Drake Gunning Decoy at the Queen Anne's Art Council in Centreville,
and A Blue Heron and Sperm Whale at the Dorchester Arts Center in Cambridge.
Fall Classes 2005
Dorchester Arts Center in Cambridge, MD.
September 27th Power Carving Class
Green Wing Teal Drake Decoy
Queen Anne's Art Council in Centreville, MD.
October 22nd & 23rd
Bluebill Drake Decoy
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