11/17/2008

Call Making

Click on the photo above to view all the callmaking award winners from 2008.

Hundreds of turkey call makers of varying skill levels will go head-to-head in a competition that takes traditional folk art to a brand new level. Some calls entered in the Decorative Turkey Call Division don't look like turkey calls at all, but, instead, resemble deer fawns lying in the woods, a turkey feather lying atop a pile of oak leaves or even a fiddle and bow.

"The NWTF's Grand National Call Making Competitions bring more true folk artists together than any other competition," said George Thornton, NWTF CEO. "This is the best place for up-and-coming callmakers to contend with seasoned veterans as they strive to outdo their creations from years past. The competition will be fierce, and the calls on display will be incredible."

Calls in the Hunting Calls Division are no less impressive. Craftsmen sometimes invest hundreds of hours into transforming a piece of wood or slate into a call that sounds like a turkey, which is an art form all its own. In this division, callmakers from across the continent put their reputations on the line as their calls are scrutinized for tone and the overall "amount of turkey" each call possesses.

Each year, the callmaking competition gets tougher and the calls more elaborate, taking call making to new heights along the way.

A panel of experts in the fields of callmaking, calling and hunting will judge the competition. Judges will evaluate calls within four divisions: the Grand National NWTF Hunting Turkey Call Contest, the Grand National Decorative Turkey Call Contest, the Grand National Decorative Duck and Goose Call Contest and the Grand National Hunting Duck and Goose Call Contest.

In addition to attracting callmakers from across the nation, the NWTF's convention also draws attention from organizations showing their support for traditional craftsmen.

"Because our membership is made largely of turkey call collectors, it just makes sense for us to be part of the callmaking competitions," said Len Guldman, president of the Callmakers and Collectors Association of America, which is a sponsor of the NWTF's custom callmaking competitions. "The NWTF's convention is one of the few places in the nation where callmakers can compete and also display their merchandise. It's an all around great show, and a great place for any game call collector to find one-of-a-kind calls to add to their collection."

TO PRESS RELEASE ARCHIVE

BACK TO NWTF NEWSROOM