Woodhaven Receives National Award for Excellence

“First and foremost, I want to thank God the father and his son Jesus Christ for his saving grace and the many blessings he continues to bestow upon me,” said Mike Pentecost, WoodHaven Custom Calls founder. “I am deeply honored to be receiving the NWTF’s Dick Kirby Award for 2023 and even more so to be the first two-time recipient of this award. It seems that my dreams as a young man to be involved in the outdoor industry continue to come to fruition in and through the passion I have for the wild turkey and the outdoors in general. The design and development of the best calls I can build has become my life’s work, and WoodHaven Custom Calls has helped that reality become woven into the very fibers of my being! I want to accept this award not only for myself, but for the whole WoodHaven TEAM and those that have helped me succeed and continue to drive what I started into the future with growth and innovation!” 

WoodHaven was recognized for a second time with the Dick Kirby Award at the NWTF’s 50^th anniversary celebration during its 47^th annual Convention and Sport Show, sponsored by Mossy Oak.

The award is named for turkey hunting legend Dick Kirby, who was the brains and heart behind Quaker Boy Calls. He also was one of the original members of the NWTF, serving nine years on the NWTF National Board of Directors in the 1990s.

The WoodHaven Custom Call Company was founded in 1992 by Pentecost and became a full-time endeavor in 1999. Located in Heflin, Alabama, WoodHaven has over 30 years of experience making custom calls and has a dedicated staff that produces some of the best calls in America.

In 2020, WoodHaven donated 1,500 limited edition custom pot calls for NWTF chapters to use at events nationwide. In the past, WoodHaven has supported the NWTF’s Call for All Campaign by donating 200 special-edition WoodHaven calls. During COVID-19 and the start of the NWTF preferred vendor program, WoodHaven was one of the first vendors to work alongside the NWTF. This year, the company has donated another 1,250 custom pot calls for the NWTF’s 50^th anniversary Core Package.

“Be it through helping us fundraise for our mission or helping us celebrate our 50^th anniversary, WoodHaven Custom Calls has always answered the call for the NWTF,” NWTF co-CEO Jason Burckhalter said. “The WoodHaven team are incredibly talented and generous, and we are thankful for our partnership and grateful for their continued support.” 

About the National Wild Turkey Federation

Since 1973, the National Wild Turkey Federation has invested over half a billion dollars into wildlife conservation and has conserved or enhanced over 22 million acres of critical wildlife habitat. The organization continues to drive wildlife conservation, forest resiliency and robust recreational opportunities throughout the U.S. by working across boundaries on a landscape scale. 2023 is the NWTF's 50^th anniversary and an opportunity to propel the organization's mission into the future while honoring its rich history.

For its 50-year celebration, the NWTF has set six ambitious goals: positively impact 1 million acres of wildlife habitat; raise $500,000 for wild turkey research; increase membership to 250,000 members; dedicate $1 million to education and outreach programs; raise $5 million to invest in technology and the NWTF's people; and raise $5 million to build toward a $50 million endowment for the future. Learn how you can help us reach these lofty goals.