NWTF Announces 2026 Grand National Calling Championships Hall of Fame Class

Voted on by former GNCC champions and previous Hall of Fame inductees, two individuals have been selected for induction in 2026: Terry Phillips and Don Shipp. The induction ceremony is scheduled for noon, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026, at Nashville’s Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center. This free event in the Governor’s Ballroom is open to the public to honor and celebrate these two outstanding callers and their impact on the history of the GNCCs and turkey calling. The induction ceremony will take place before the GNCC Senior Open Finals, the Super Bowl of turkey calling.  

From 1977 in Hershey, Pennsylvania, site of the first GNCCs, to today’s grand contest in Nashville as a prelude to wild turkey hunting seasons across the country, many great callers and supporters have played a pivotal role in promoting the sport of competitive turkey calling and cut a path for future outdoorsmen and women. Without their efforts to champion wild turkey hunting and calling, millions of hunters who pursue the wild turkey each spring would not have the opportunities available today.  

The 2026 class of the NWTF Grand National Calling Championships Hall of Fame features: 

Terry Phillips started competitive calling in 1979 and is a seven-time Arkansas State champion and eight-time Southwest Open winner. He also won many other titles, including the Southeast Open, Gulf State Classic, National championship, Tennessee State Open, Alabama State Open, Texas State Open and others. He has judged at the Grand Nationals, Worlds, U.S. Open, All-American and National contests. At 20 years old, he was the youngest call manufacturer in the industry. He worked with various game and fish agencies doing seminars to educate the public on turkey hunting and safe practices. In 1998, Terry retired from competition, and his focus has been working with youth hunters. He has helped guide and coordinate youth hunts for Missouri and Arkansas NWTF chapters and served as a guide and speaker for the St. Jude’s Hospital hunt in Tennessee. 

Don Shipp killed his first wild turkey 51 years ago and was addicted to the sound and the pursuit, spending hours listening and honing a sound to communicate with the bird. He joined Preston Pittman’s pro staff early in his calling career and went on to win eight Arkansas state championships, seven Southwest Open titles and three consecutive World championships. He partnered with Larry Shockey to win nine World Team titles. Shipp and Shockey also won the 2000 Grand National Calling Championships Team Challenge Division. In addition, Shipp won three Gulf States calling contests, the Mid-America and the Missouri state title. Always a threat to win at the GNCCs, Shipp guided hunters — including many outdoor writers — for three decades.