“Then I just did it,” relates Micha Reichert with a twinkle in his eye. And an hour later the then fourteen-year-old presented his parents with his first wooden mushroom, hardly bigger than a water bottle, which he had carved out of an oak log – with a chainsaw. The forester’s son had gotten the idea during his training for his hunting license, which he had just begun, where he had met another student who carved professionally with the chainsaw. “I was so fascinated by this that I wanted to try it myself. So, I grabbed Father’s chainsaw and just started carving.
The Action Man
Micha Reichert is a professional hunter, taxidermist and chainsaw sculptor. How he arrived at this calling and what he does in his free time is told here by Thore Wolf.
Micha Reichert mit seiner Brandlbracke Bonni und Mauser 18 auf dem Weg zum Ansitz.
“Hunting and sawing became my passions from that moment on,” recalls the native of Kraichgau, Germany, now 25. He sold his first carved mushrooms and eagles at farmers’ and Christmas markets. The young artist used that income to buy the first chainsaw of his own. “At that age, I didn’t have much experience and so, in my youthful ignorance, I bought a hobby saw that didn’t last for very long. Then I actually calculated how many eagles I would have to carve and sell before I could afford something better.” Micha no longer remembers how many that turned out to be. “But your tools are the most important prerequisite to achieving solid results, same as when you go hunting,” says Micha. That is why, whether for sculpting or hunting, he trusts in only professional-grade equipment. “He’s been that way for eleven years now,” confirms his mother. “When he wanted to buy something, it had to be worth it. If he couldn’t afford it, then he would carve and sell figurines until he had enough money.” “I never had time for a normal summer job thanks to carving and hunting,” admits Micha with a roguish grin. He is quite proud of his new ‘tour bus’, which he also financed with his chainsaw art.
Meanwhile, the passionate dog handler is training to be a taxidermist. What better way to unite his creative and artistic urges? The insights he has gained from the study of the anatomy and expressions of animals are translated into his carvings. In 2016, Micha had just finished his studies to become a professional hunter when he attracted the attention of the German chainsaw art scene. In Mainz, he registered at an unofficial rendezvous of ‘speed carvers’, as the chainsaw artists call themselves. That was his debut in the scene. An invitation to Haltern by Dortmund soon followed. “That was where the qualification round for the German Speed Carving Championship was held,” recalls Micha. It was an opportunity he just could not pass up.
In speed carving, you have 45 minutes each to carve two sculptures. Afterwards, the sculptures are auctioned off to the viewing public. The speed carver who gets the highest offer for his sculptures qualifies for the German championship. “Unfortunately, I didn’t qualify,” admits Micha. But it was worth it all the same. Robbin, a Canadian carver, took an instant liking to him and promptly invited the young man of action to visit him in his homeland. Micha was then able to prove his talent at an international event with participants from 35 countries. Robbin’s advice was to “carve from the heart”. “And I did just that,” beams Micha. After five days of carving, sawing and sanding, a life-sized coyote leaping towards rising ducks emerged. This unusual sculpture earned Micha fifth place at the event. Finally, in July 2018, everything came together for Micha to win the German championship.
Ob „Türschild” für eine Tierarztpraxis (r.), oder Schmuckskulpturen für Offroadtreffen oder einfach nur Wildtiere (u.) – Micha Reichert schnitzt auf Wunsch fast alles.
Ob „Türschild” für eine Tierarztpraxis (r.), oder Schmuckskulpturen für Offroadtreffen oder einfach nur Wildtiere (u.) – Micha Reichert schnitzt auf Wunsch fast alles.
Nowadays, Micha is constantly attending fairs and events for carving shows and competitions. His order book is full, too. Whether made to order or inspired by his own artistic motivation, he finishes between 70 and 100 sculptures a year. And all this is done in his free time. Does he even have time to hunt? “You have to make the time,” confides the talented young entrepreneur who is also co-tenant on a hunting lease. It should go without saying that he does all the field work either alone or with friends: building tree stands, planting food plots, grooming stalking trails.
“Carve from the heart –
and I did just that!”
Wild boar hunting is a favorite of his whether it is driven hunts, where he is usually beater with his Austrian Black & Tan hound dam, Bonni, or still hunts from the high seat. That makes it all the more surprising that not a single boar shows up in Micha’s portfolio. “I don’t like to carve them very much,” he answers honestly, “because I am never satisfied with the results. I am much better at hunting them with my Mauser and preparing them as trophies than carving them as statues!”
Micha und der Adler, mit dem er sich 2019 für die Deutsche Meisterschaft qualifiziert hat.
Micha und Robbin mit dem lebensgroßen springenden Kojoten.