Staff writer
Charles Stuchlik of rural Lincolnville is just 15 years old but already has hands-on experience in a lot of practical skills.
One reason might be that he has several good teachers.
The ratio of teacher to students is one-to-three at Charles’ academic school. Along with two younger brothers, he is homeschooled by his mother, Melissa Stuchlik. He currently is a sophomore, studying the same basic subjects as public school students.
His father, Chris Stuchlik, is a mechanic with Cardie Oil, Inc. of Tampa, so it was natural that Chris would teach Charles a course in auto mechanics. His grandfather, Alex Stuchlik, is a machinery repairman and also is passing on his knowledge to Charles.
The teen-ager’s other grandfather, Walt Dietrich of Ramona, works in construction. Charles has become involved in several building projects where he is learning the art of woodworking and carpentry. This past summer, he built an attractive gun cabinet for his family.
Charles is a member of Marion Boy Scout Troop #102. His father is an assistant leader and sometimes takes the troop on scouting trips. This past summer they went to Canada and went hiking, fishing, and canoeing.
Charles has attained the level of Life Scout and is working toward becoming an Eagle Scout, the highest level that can be attained in the organization.
The young man likes the outdoors. He got his first BB gun at the age of six and graduated to real guns after taking a hunter-safety course.
He owns a shotgun for hunting game birds and a rifle for shooting pheasants and quail.
During trapping season, he traps wild animals such as possums, coyotes, and raccoons, and sells the raw pelts after shooting and skinning the animals.
Neighbors sometimes ask Charles to help with special nuisances. When Ron Jirak of Jirak Produce had problems this past summer with coyotes messing up his watermelon plots, Charles stepped in and trapped the coyotes.
One farmer had a problem with coyotes targeting calves in a pasture. He called on Charles to get rid of them.
Early in October, Charles’ mother took him to Yates Center for a trapping convention. While there, he participated in a trap-setting contest with 15-20 other youths and took second place.
In the past two years, the young man has learned the art of taxidermy using a DVD and studying books about it. The process includes skinning the bird or animal with fur or feathers attached, measuring the pelt, ordering a manikin, placing the skin around it, and sewing the raw edges together.
Charles has mounted a bobcat and a squirrel which are displayed in the Stuchlik home. In winter 2007, he stuffed a pheasant and sold it. He is hoping to do more taxidermy as time goes along.
Charles is a quiet young man but is committed to excellence in everything he does. With excellent role models to follow, he is sure to have a successful life.