Durham, North Carolina, circa 2010, carved and painted wood with glass eyes, artificial leaves on wooden base marked WOODCOCK BY BEN A. HEINEMANN.

Length 11 in.

Heinemann's passion for waterfowl began in childhood, sparked by visits to his uncle’s duck blind. This early fascination led him to carve his first bird in 1971, initially creating and painting decoys for personal enjoyment. By 1977, Heinemann entered his first competition in Davenport, Iowa, quickly advancing to the “world class” professional level by the following year. His skillful, lifelike bird carvings gained him international acclaim. With a background in mortuary science from Worsham College, Heinemann spent hours studying waterfowl in Illinois, honing his attention to detail. His talent was widely recognized in 1978 when his Canadian Goose carving won “Best in World.” Over the years, he has won numerous awards, including five World Championship titles and various “Best of Show” awards across prestigious carving competitions, solidifying his reputation as a master wildfowl carver.

Original.