IBEW Member Uses Award-Winning Turkey Calls for Greater Good
During his eight year membership in the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF), Tony Quarino of Waxhaw, NC, has built a reputation as an award-winning turkey call maker, having won more than 50 awards. During that time, he has donated thousands of dollars worth of turkey calls to conventions, banquets, and competitions around the country, with all proceeds going to various charities. For his generosity, he recently was recognized by the NWTF as s a Patron Life Sponsor, an honor bestowed on members who have given $25,000 in charitable contributions.
Quarino is a retired member of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 379 and a new member of the Union Sportsmen Alliance. Since his retirement, he discovered his true passion—the pursuit of excellence in turkey call making. His wife, Rosemary, calls herself a “Turkey Call Widow,” since Quarino spends so many hours in his shop. He continually strives to make a better turkey call, which involves researching woods and constantly tweaking the calls for optimal sound quality.
Quarino’s other passion is donating his award-winning turkey calls to help others. The higher his turkey calls place in competitions, the more they command in fundraising auctions. Quarino has been the president of the Union County chapter of the NWTF for the past four years, and he recently donated 10 calls to their annual banquet to support the chapter’s two charities.
This year’s turkey call making competition season is upon us. For Quarino, it began the second weekend of January with the NWTF Midwest Call Competition in Osceola, Wis., where he received first place for his decorative set of turkey calls. The next stop for Quarino and his wife is the NWTF National Convention in Nashville, TN. Quarino has had much success within the last two national conventions, receiving a first place trophy in 2010 for his decorative set of turkey calls followed by his 2011 first place award for his one-sided turkey box call.
From there, they will travel to the Dixie Deer Classic in Raleigh, NC, sponsored by the Wake County Wildlife Association in March followed by the NC State Banquet. Quarino’s calls will also be on display at the Palmetto Sportsmen Classic held in Columbia, SC, sponsored by the Harry Hampton Wildlife Fund.
This year, Quarino’s goals are to win a first place for the best individual turkey call and the Gibson Award, which would make him eligible to compete in the Champion of Champions Competition.
Quarino makes some of the finest crafted turkey calls, which are sold at Carolina Sporting Arms in Charlotte, NC, as well as at the Nichols Store and Sportsmen Center in Rock Hill, SC. He also takes personal orders year round. Those interested may contact Quarino at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or by phone at 704-843-0385.
Article provided by Guy B. DePasquale
