Delta Waterfowl Callmakers Championship Features Three Main Tribute Divisions and a NEW Callmakers Choice Open Contest

Judges have selected the TaylorMade Duck Call by legendary Arkansas callmaker as tribute call for The Duck Hunters EXPO competition

For Immediate Release
April 19, 2023

BISMARCK, NORTH DAKOTA — The Delta Waterfowl Duck Hunters EXPO is partnering with the World’s Championship Callmakers Contest to offer the callmakers 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 believe our callmaking contest is unique in that we get to pay tribute to the legendary callmakers of the past by having modern callmakers compete by using the exterior appearance of the chosen call, but by using their (own) internals and sound,” said James Miller, founder of the competition. “Basically, it’s like building an antique car with modern components.”

This tribute-style contest will pay homage to the late Alvin E. Taylor (1927-2000), aka “Fruit Juice,” a famed callmaker from Clarendon, Arkansas. He was most widely known for the TaylorMade Duck Call.

The contest features three divisions:

Wood Working Duck Call – A category for traditionally made natural wood duck calls with a plastic reed that are not stabilized, are hand tooled, and traditionally lathe-turned, with the main emphasis on sound reproduction and quality of craftsmanship.

Acrylic Working Duck Call – A category for traditionally made acrylic duck calls with a plastic reed that are hand tooled and traditionally lathe-turned. The main emphasis is on sound reproduction and quality of craftsmanship.

Open Working Duck Call – A category for traditionally made duck calls with a plastic reed to include calls made from nylon, glass, Delrin, micarta, Corian, metals, cast resin, hybrids, or any stabilized and dyed woods or other similar materials. This is an open category for calls that are hand tooled and traditionally lathe-turned with a main emphasis on sound reproduction and quality of craftsmanship.

“There is a little something for every callmaking craftsman and every admirer of the craft in this competition,” said Brad Heidel, senior director of marketing for Delta Waterfowl. “It is an exciting addition to a waterfowl-packed 2023 EXPO lineup.”

2023 also presents a new addition to the competition—the Callmakers Choice Open Contest. This division—separate from the tribute-style contest—grants callmakers the opportunity to use their own call shape and showcase their unique crafting style before the judges.

Callmakers Choice Open Contest – A division for traditionally made duck calls with a plastic reed. To include calls made from wood, acrylic, nylon, glass, Delrin, micarta, Corian, metals, cast resin, hybrids, or any stabilized and dyed woods or other similar materials. This is an open category for calls that are hand tooled and traditionally lathe-turned, with the main emphasis on sound reproduction and quality of craftsmanship. The callmaker’s name, signature, or maker’s marks may be displayed on the calls in the Callmakers Choice Open Contest.

“Our contest is a great way to celebrate the history of duck hunting while also showcasing the modern talent in duck call making, we are absolutely thrilled that Delta Waterfowl has decided to come on board and help make this the premier callmaking contest,” said Miller.

For more information regarding 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 waterfowling exhibits. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit deltawaterfowlexpo.com.

Delta Waterfowl is The Duck Hunters Organization, a leading conservation group working to produce ducks and secure the future of waterfowl hunting in North America. Visit deltawaterfowl.org.

For more information, contact Brad Heidel at (651) 403-1772 or bheidel@deltawaterfowl.org.