A high-energy contest sponsored by Mack’s Prairie Wings and Drake Waterfowl will crown a world champion call cut on July 29.
BISMARCK, NORTH DAKOTA—The Delta Waterfowl Duck Hunters EXPO will host the World Cut Duck Singing Championship at 12:00 pm on July 29 at the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock, Arkansas. Sponsored by Mack’s Prairie Wings and Drake Waterfowl, the event is produced by renowned champions Jim Ronquest and Heath Vanlandingham.
The court call is a specially modified duck call long preferred by timber hunters in Arkansas and on the Lower Illinois River. Inspired by this story, Ronquest and Vanlandingham developed a quiz that requires the use of these particular calls.
“On behalf of the World Cutdown Duck Calling Championship, LLC, we look forward to being a part of this year’s Delta Waterfowl Duck Hunters Expo,” said Ronquest. “Last year’s event was a huge success and this year’s will only be better.”
Classical Arkansas-style duckcall was introduced in 1904 by Philip Olt of Pekin, Illinois. In the 1950s and 1960s, duck hunters began individually modifying the call, allowing them to customize the volume and pitch. These modified Olt calls, called “cutouts”, were tremendously successful and their popularity with hunters eventually led to commercial production by major duck call manufacturers.
An estimated 40 or more people will take the Delta EXPO stage to compete for a first prize payment of at least $1,000, a shotgun, a Drake Waterfowl gear pack, and the prestigious title of World Cutdown Calling Champion. Cash prizes will be paid to the top three finishers and prizes will be awarded to the top five places. All money from the entrance fee will be paid. The cost of admission is $50 and competitors can register in person from 10 am to 11:30 am at the EXPO. And of course, EXPO attendees will be treated to the best hunting style of these avid waterfowl hunters and call competitors.
The 2022 contest took place in the midst of the inaugural Duck Hunters EXPO, with Byron Womack of Scottsboro, Alabama claiming the prestigious title over a field of 32 expert competitors.
“Last year’s World Cut Duck Singing Championships wowed the crowds at the EXPO,” said Brad Heidel, Delta Waterfowl’s senior director of marketing. “Competitors are faced with a real world hunting scenario that they have to ‘solve’ with their own scenario call routine. It’s tough competition and an event Delta is proud to host.”
Presented by Federal Premium Ammunition, the Delta Waterfowl Duck Hunters EXPO will feature three continuous stages of education, entertainment and excitement, plus 80,000 square feet of waterfowl exhibits. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit deltawaterfowlexpo.com.
delta waterfowl is The Duck Hunters Organization, a leading conservation group working to raise ducks and secure the future of North American waterfowl hunting. Visit deltawaterfowl.org.