Piper Named Delta Waterfowl Callmaker of the Year

Presented by Chêne Gear and Treadstone Logistics, the tribute-style competition and open contest showcased entries displaying outstanding craftsmanship at the annual Delta Waterfowl Duck Hunters Expo this July.

Amid the waterfowling excitement of the Delta Waterfowl Duck Hunters Expo, the Raising Cane’s River Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, also played host to the annual Delta Waterfowl Callmaking Competition. With a cash and gear prize package and The Butch Richenback Cup on the line, the five-judge panel ultimately announced Dax Piper of Pinckneyville, Illinois, as the “Delta Waterfowl Callmaker of the Year.”

Each year, the tribute-style contest—presented by Chêne Gear and Treadstone Logistics—selects a late, distinguished callmaker for competitors to emulate. For the 2024 contest, the honoree was Louisiana-callmaker Sonny Kirkpatrick, who was most famously known for crafting the SK Duck Call.

Three different divisions—wood, acrylic, and an ‘open’ division—showcased a number of talented participants, with prizes and payouts awarded to the top three callmakers in each category. The highest score of the three first-place calls from each division determined Piper as the “Delta Waterfowl Callmaker of the Year.”

In addition, each first-place winner was gifted their own pair of waders from Chêne Gear.

“We are very honored to be a small part of helping carry on the tradition of custom call making,” said Jeff Jones of Chêne Gear. “Keeping waterfowl traditions alive is a way for Chêne to give back to the waterfowl community.”

The placing results for each individual category include:

Tribute Open Category:

First – Logan Revolt, Poplarville, Mississippi

Second – Mike Stelzner, Zumbrota, Minnesota

Third – Ronald Laun, New London, North Carolina

Tribute Acrylic Category:

First – Dax Piper, Pinckneyville, Illinois

Second – Michael Glover, Jonesboro, Arkansas

Third – Kent Eason, Shreveport, Louisiana

Tribute Wood Category:

First – Brad Samples, Fountain Inn, South Carolina

Second – Kent Eason, Shreveport, Louisiana

Third – John Koepp, Benton, Missouri

“Our annual callmakers competition consistently showcases the best-of-the-best when it comes to call craftsmanship,” said Brad Heidel, senior director of corporate relations for Delta Waterfowl. “The entries this year were nothing short of phenomenal, and we are already looking forward to next year’s competition in Oklahoma City.”

Mark your calendars! The next Delta Waterfowl Duck Hunters Expo and annual Callmakers Competition will take place July 25 to 27, 2025, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.—Christy Sweigart