28 Nebraskaland • November 2025
he Central Flyway Decoy Collectors and Carvers Club is
an eclectic group. There are world-class decoy carvers
and fi rst-time folks with the worry of "I'm not sure if I
can do this." There are those who carve for medical and
mental health benefi ts; there are others who just want their
carving to resemble the species they have chosen. Folks who
are terrifi ed to paint and others who carve so they can paint.
The one thing they all have in common is the step during
this process that possesses them during the most tedious
parts of this fascinating passion: the carving.
Thursdays with Norm
"Thursdays with Norm" is an often-repeated phrase among
this group of carvers.
This describes the days away from the monthly club
meetings to get together in La Vista at Norm Wise's house for
carving, critiquing and camaraderie.
"I just enjoy doing it," said Norm, who began carving in
1980. "A lot of people who come to my place are just good
friends. We enjoy each other's work."
Much like with other artistic disciplines like photography,
carvers develop their own style — so much so that Norm can
pick out a carver's work without seeing their name attached.
"Bill Browne [a club member] … the thing he does best is
make a bird come to life. To not be stiff ."
During conversations with the group, the term "stiff "
resurfaces often. "A stiff bird has no negative space with
shaping," Norm said. "It looks more like an inanimate object.
A Club for
Carvers
T
Veterans and Novices Welcome
Story and photos by Jeff Kurrus
Norman Wise, one of the club's long-time members and a weekly host to aspiring carvers at his home, has more than 50 bird
mounts at his house for carvers to reference, like this hen mallard he carved.
