Delta Waterfowl Duck Hunters EXPO to Host First-Ever Delta Waterfowl Callmakers Championship Presented by Chêne Gear

Delta Waterfowl teams up with the World’s Championship Callmakers Contest to showcase callmakers at North America’s largest event dedicated to the duck hunter

For Immediate Release
March 15, 2023

BISMARCK, NORTH DAKOTA—Presented by Chêne Gear, the newest attraction of the Delta Duck Hunters EXPO is the Delta Waterfowl Callmakers Championship. The Duck Hunters Organization is adding the tribute-style callmaking contest to the excitement happening in Little Rock, Arkansas, July 28-30.

“It is our great pleasure to introduce the merger of the World’s Championship Callmakers Contest with Delta Waterfowl, specifically the Delta Waterfowl Duck Hunters EXPO,” said James Miller, founder of the contest. “After the success of our contest last year we began looking for ways to improve the contest and make it bigger, more prestigious, and bring in more people.”

Chêne Gear—known for their range of high-quality waterfowl gear and apparel—will be the presenting sponsor for the Delta EXPO event.

“Chêne Gear is proud to be a part of the Callmakers Championship,” said Jeff Jones of Chêne. “The art of taking a historical piece and putting today’s technology and touch on it is something that is near and dear to our company. The past will always point the way to the future, paved by way of technology and craftsmanship—this callmaking contest embodies just that.”

The tribute-style contest selects a late, distinguished callmaker for competitors to emulate. Three different divisions—wood, acrylic, and an ‘open’ division—will showcase a number of talented participants, with the highest scoring call of all divisions taking home a trophy, cash prize, and the honor of overall champion. An additional ‘open’ division will also be held, allowing callmakers to use their choice of material, shape, and more to showcase their workmanship.

“This is one of the many exciting editions coming to the 2023 Delta Waterfowl Duck Hunters EXPO,” said Brad Heidel, senior director of marketing for Delta. “Chêne was founded by die-hard waterfowlers who are taking waterfowling products to new heights, so having them onboard as the presenting sponsor for the competition is a great fit. We are thrilled to be working with such outstanding partners to help bring this to life.”

The contending calls will be judged over the course of the expansive three-day event.

“After initial conversations with Brad Heidel with Delta Waterfowl, and seeing his enthusiasm for the art of call making and the historic aspect of our tribute-style contest, we knew we were on the right track,” said Miller. “Our contest has been rebranded as the ‘Delta Waterfowl Callmakers Championship’ and will take place on the weekend of July 28-30 at the Delta Waterfowl Duck Hunters EXPO in Little Rock, Arkansas.”

The Delta Waterfowl Duck Hunters EXPO is presented by Federal Premium Ammunition. Among its many attractions, the EXPO features an 80,000 square foot exhibit floor including decoy carving demonstrations, exhibits, multiple entertainment stages, and more. Get your tickets now!

Chêne Gear exists to manufacture quality waterfowl gear and to deliver the best customer service experience possible. Visit chenegear.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.