e-News Sneak Peek: Two Championships To Be Held at Delta Waterfowl Expo

Talent and craftsmanship will be on display as callers and callmakers from across the continent compete for top prizes in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

A caller performs for a crowd during the 2023 Duck Calling Championship at the Duck Hunters Expo.

The Delta Waterfowl Duck Hunters Expo is merely months away! As the excitement and anticipation continues to grow, competitors are already deep in preparation for the events scheduled to take place July 26-28, 2024, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Amidst three full days of waterfowling events, vendors, and all things ducks and duck hunting, the Raising Cane’s River Center will play host to two competitions: The NEW Delta Grand National (double reed calling competition) and the returning Delta Waterfowl Callmakers Championship. Both solicit distinctive talents in the waterfowl industry to compete for prestigious titles and cash prizes.

The trophy and winning call of the 2023 Callmakers Championship can be seen.

Delta Waterfowl Callmakers Championship: July 26, 10 a.m.

Presented by Chêne Gear and Treadstone Logistics

Building on the momentum of its inaugural 2023 debut in Little Rock, Arkansas, the Delta Waterfowl Callmakers Championship returns with exciting and ambitious new additions.

This 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.

Judges have selected the late Sonny Kirkpatrick (1937-2012) of Haynesville, Louisiana, who sold calls under the brand “SK Duck Calls” as the tribute call for the 2024 competition.

An additional ‘open’ division—“Callmakers Choice”— will also be available for entry, allowing callmakers to use their choice of material, shape, and other customizations to showcase their workmanship.

New in 2024, an added “Handmade Cutdown” division allowing the callmaker to use any material type of their choice to create a call, so long as it is handmade. This is an open-style contest.

A caller takes the stage at the Cutdown Calling Championship at the Duck Hunters Expo in 2023.

The Delta Grand National: July 27, 12 p.m.

Presented by Drake Waterfowl and Mack’s Prairie Wings  

Introducing Delta’s first-ever double reed duck calling championship!

A champion caller will be crowned on July 27 at this exciting contest as they compete for a first prize cash payout/prize package and the prestigious title of Delta Grand National Champion! Cash prizes will be paid to the top three, with additional prizes awarded to the top five places.

This competition will be administered under the rules of the World Cutdown Duck Calling Championship LLC. Registration begins at 9:30 a.m. onsite at Raising Cane’s River Center in Baton Rouge.

More information regarding both events will be made available soon. To keep up to date with all things Delta Waterfowl Duck Hunters Expo, and to plan your trip, visit deltawaterfowlexpo.com. —Christy Sweigart