About Our Bird Wood Carving | Raleigh, NC

A Passion for Bird Wood Carving in Raleigh, NC

Born among the rivers and swamps of Lumberton, North Carolina, Vic Kirkman developed an early fascination with wildlife, closely studying birds and their anatomy by age 12. That early foundation eventually shaped his path toward bird wood carving in Raleigh, NC, alongside his college studies in biological sciences and later his professional work in the biological supply field. Even his summer jobs reflected his interests, as he worked alongside investigators from the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission conducting fish and wildlife surveys across regional lakes and rivers.

Carving Competitions

Vic Kirkman has been carving professionally since 1979, steadily advancing through the ranks to compete at the professional level, and now also shares his expertise through online and studio wildfowl carving classes. He has earned numerous Best in Show awards along with top placements in major competitions. In one standout year, he captured three consecutive Best in Show titles at the Core Sound Wildfowl Festival, the East Carolina Wildlife Arts Festival, and the Mid-Atlantic Wildfowl Festival.

He has also received multiple Open Class blue ribbons at the Ward World Championships and has repeatedly been a strong contender in the World Championship Pairs division, where he continues to pursue Masters-level recognition.

Other Carving Achievements

Featured in Wildfowl Carving Magazine.
Judged many major carving competition events in the Southeast.
Two-year judge of the N.C. Federal Junior Duck Stamp Contest.
Active member of the Ward Foundation and IWCA (International Wildfowl Carvers Association).
Founding member of the East Carolina Wildfowl Arts Festival.

For all the recognitions he has received, Vic said he owes a great deal of credit to Mike Bonner, who has been his mentor and teacher for over ten years. He also mentions the Cajun carvers, especially the Brunet family and Curt Fabre, who advised and taught him the carving styles for which they are famous.

The Carving Teacher

Vic Kirkman is currently teaching the art of sculpted decorative waterfowl and other bird wood carving to enthusiastic students from all walks of life. Many of his students have gone on to win awards in major U.S. competitions, including Best-of-Show honors at International Wildfowl Carvers Association shows and the Ward World Championship. He has also been invited three times to teach in the National Education for the Arts program of the Ward Foundation.

Online Work

Vic Kirkman has also developed several teaching methods for wildfowl carving and the wood sculpture class format, many of which have been published online. He was the first to introduce a comprehensive wildfowl carving instruction program on the internet, initially through his website and more recently via Zoom. On Facebook, Vic sponsors a popular wildfowl carving group called Bird Carvers Online, with more than 2,500 members, where he teaches bird and decoy carving from beginner to professional levels in a variety of styles.
Vic is clearly a major contributor to the advancement of wildfowl carving through his creations and teaching work. He has been quite successful because people recognize him and know that he excels in his field. Asked why he continues to engage in wildfowl carving despite his successes, Vic answered, “I want to leave some beautiful creations behind and inspire other carvers to advance the art form.”

Click to go back previous page