Honoring the Best in Callmaking at the NWTF’s Grand Nationals

Callmaking has been an integral part of the NWTF since the organization’s founding in 1973. Started over thirty years ago by Charley Burke, an NWTF regional director at the time, the Grand National Callmaking Competition was a way to showcase the call makers who are the spirit of the NWTF. What started as a small carving contest with just a few categories has grown into the largest and most prestigious callmaking competition in the world. In 2024, the competition saw a record-breaking 1,476 registered calls, reflecting the ever-growing passion for callmaking. 

One of the most remarkable aspects of this competition is its vast array of entries, spanning both decorative and hunting calls. With 92 categories across five distinct divisions, the contest showcases an incredible range of skill and creativity. Each category crowns a winner, and select winners advance to compete for Best-in-Class honors. Ultimately, the finest calls from each division contend for the highly coveted Best of Show title. 

Congratulations goes out to the winners of each of the five main divisions: 

Decorative Turkey 

This division recognizes each call’s stand-alone merit of artist talents: the planning, preparation, execution and presentation of art, combined with a working turkey call. The Callmaker of the Year - Earl Mickel Award went to Heather van Doorn. 

Hunting Turkey 

This division recognizes each call’s stand-alone merit of how well it performs in the hands of a turkey hunter.  The Best of Show - Call Maker of the Year - Charley Burke Award went to Ed Terefencko. 

Decorative Waterfowl 

This division recognizes each call’s stand-alone merit of artist talents delivered in a waterfowl call. The Grand National Champion Call Maker of the Year - Best of Show Division Three was awarded to Richard Patterson. 

Hunting Waterfowl 

This division recognizes each call’s stand-alone merit of how well it performs in the hands of a waterfowl hunter.  The Grand National Champion Call Maker of the Year - Best of Show – Division Four went to Ronald Laun. 

Wildlife Art 

This division is designed for artists to compete by submitting wildlife art to be judged by all decorative judges for both divisions 1 and 3. The artwork can be any themed piece and must contain wildlife of the artists’ choice. This division is just designed for an artist and not a call maker, although call makers are encouraged to participate. The Best of Show Wildlife Art award went to Timothy Oldham, Jr. 

With so many remarkable entries, winning this competition is no small feat. Every call maker who participated deserves recognition for their craftsmanship and dedication to the art of callmaking. The NWTF extends its congratulations to all entrants for their contributions to this long-standing tradition. 

For a complete list of all the gold, silver, bronze and best of class winners, visit: https://customcalls.nwtf.org/?action=winners. 

Following the competition, many of these exceptional calls are auctioned to support the NWTF’s mission. Some auctions take place during the Sports Show, while the majority run online throughout the following week—offering NWTF members nationwide the opportunity to own a unique, award-winning call. 

See all the available auctions now live at: https://customcalls.nwtf.org/?action=auctions. 

The Grand National Callmaking Competition is more than a contest — it’s a celebration of history, tradition and the passion that fuels the NWTF community. As another successful year comes to a close, we look forward to the continued growth and innovation of callmaking for years to come.