BISMARCK, NORTH DAKOTA — The Delta Waterfowl Duck Hunters EXPO partners with the World Championship Call Maker Contest to offer the Call Maker Competition Presented by Chêne Gear. The tribute-style competition and open contest entries will be judged during North America’s largest event dedicated to the duck hunter, July 28-30 in Little Rock, Arkansas.
“We think our callout contest is unique in that we pay homage to legendary callout makers of the past by having modern callout makers compete using the outer appearance of their chosen callout, but using their (own) inner and sound,” said James Miller, founder of the competition. “Basically, it’s like building an old car with modern components.”
this tribute-The style contest will pay tribute to the late Alvin E. Taylor (1927-2000), also known as “Fruit Juice”, a famous broadcaster from Clarendon, Arkansas. He was best known for TaylorMade Duck Call.
the contest It has three divisions:
Woodworking Duck Call – A category for natural wood duck calls traditionally made with a plastic reed that are unstabilized, hand-tooled, and traditionally turned, with the main emphasis being on sound reproduction and quality craftsmanship.
Acrylic Working Duck Call – A category for traditionally made acrylic duck calls with a plastic reed that are hand cast and traditionally turned. The main emphasis is on sound reproduction and quality craftsmanship.
Work duck open call: A category for duck calls traditionally made with a plastic reed that includes calls made of nylon, glass, Delrin, micarta, Corian, metals, cast resin, hybrids, or any stabilized and stained wood or other similar materials. This is an open category for traditionally turned and hand made calls with a main emphasis on sound reproduction and quality craftsmanship.
“There is something for every artisan who calls and every admirer of the craft in this competition,” said Brad Heidel, Delta Waterfowl’s senior director of marketing. “It’s an exciting addition to an EXPO 2023 lineup teeming with waterfowl.”
2023 also features a new addition to the competition: the Callmakers Choice open contest. This division, separate from the tribute-style contest, gives callout creators the opportunity to use their own callout shape and showcase their unique creation style before the judges.
Callmakers Choice Open Contest – A split for duck calls traditionally made with a plastic reed. To include calls made of wood, acrylic, nylon, glass, Delrin, micarta, Corian, metals, cast resin, hybrids, or any stabilized and stained wood or other similar materials. This is an open category for traditionally turned and hand-rolled calls, with primary emphasis on sound reproduction and quality of craftsmanship. The call maker’s name, signature or marks may be displayed on calls in the Callmakers Choice Open Contest.
“Our contest is a great way to celebrate the history of duck hunting while also showcasing modern duck calling talent. We are absolutely delighted that Delta Waterfowl decided to participate and help make this the premier duck singing contest,” Miller said. .
For more information on the Delta Waterfowl Callmakers Championship Contest, judging criteria or entries, click here.
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.
For more information, contact Brad Heidel at (651) 403-1772 or [email protected].