A Baylor Duck Dynasty? Brothers recognized as world-champion duck decoy carvers

Finding the right duck decoy is serious business for hunters, which means that a pair of Baylor brothers find their work in great demand. Spencer Tinkham, a senior economics major, and his younger brother, Clay, a sophomore pre-business major, are world champion youth duck decoy carvers, and their skill for carving life-like ducks has brought them numerous awards and allowed them to start a business even before leaving college.

Duck carving began as merely a hobby for the two brothers. But now, buyers put their name on an 18-month waiting list to buy ducks from Tinkham Decoys and Folk Art, the business the two started and maintain even as they pursue their Baylor degrees. It’s an impressive balancing act; carving a duck decoy demands an incredible amount of time and skill on the part of the carver. (If you’re not convinced, check out Spencer’s method for carving a duck wigeon head in “78 easy steps.”) The brothers maintain a studio at their home in Norfolk, Va., and their whole family appears at shows and competitions to champion their products.

It’s in those competitions where the Tinkhams made a name for themselves, flying circles around the competition. Their grandfather might never have imagined when he first taught an 8-year-old Spencer how to whittle that he would win two world championships, in 2008 and 2010, or that Clay would follow with five straight championships (2009-13).

In addition to carving decoys, Spencer also carves folk art and restores antique decoys. The work/school balance, for now, keeps them from devoting more hours to the craft, but buyers are willing to wait for the chance to receive realistic ducks carved by two Bears who developed a unique hobby into something special.

Sic ’em, Spencer and Clay!

[We learned of this story from a Bear who shared her Baylor pride. Do you know of an inspiring story, news item, or just a fun link that makes you proud of Baylor and the Baylor family? Let us know! Click here to submit your point of pride!]