February 9, 2012
World Champion Elk Callers Crowned in Las Vegas
MISSOULA, Mont.—Elk callers from 10 states, led by Oregon, Colorado and Nevada, have earned Top 3 honors in the RMEF/Leupold World Elk Calling Championships for 2012.
Competition was held as part of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation’s annual convention and expo, which ended Feb. 4 in Las Vegas. The championships help raise awareness of elk, habitat and the conservation initiatives of RMEF.
Results:
Professional Division
1. Bryan Langley, McMinnville, Ore.
2. Joel Turner, Eatonville, Wash.
3. Corey Jacobsen, Boise, Ida.
Men’s Division
1. Brad Cain, Keizer, Ore.
2. Thomas Diesing, Loveland, Colo.
3. Gregory Hubbell Jr., Belmont, Calif.
Women’s Division
1. Jesse Diesing, Loveland, Colo.
2. Kristy Titus, Bend, Ore.
3. Amy Morris, Payson, Utah
Natural Voice Division
1. William Card, Fallon, Nev.
2. Tandy Hulsey, Luna, N.M.
3. Lindsay Ross, Clayton, Okla.
Pee Wee Division
1. Colton Crawford, McMinnville, Ore.
2. Matt Bertero, Reno, Nev.
3. Sierra Penrod, Pinetop, Ariz.
Competition was not held in the Youth Division due to insufficient entries.
In the competition, amateur-level callers have 45 seconds to mimic cow elk sounds, followed by bull sounds. Professionals are required to make specific calls such as barks, whistles and screaming bugles. Most callers blow across a latex reed placed inside the mouth. In the natural voice division, however, no reeds are allowed. A variety of plastic tubes are used like megaphones, giving the sounds realistic resonance. Judges score each competitor anonymously.
Winners received prizes and cash ranging from $500 to $2,500.
Prize sponsors included Leupold, Block Fusion, Cabela’s, Horn Hunter Packs, Hoyt, Kershaw Knives, Montana Decoy, Montana Silversmiths, New Archery Products (NAP), Remington, Schnee’s and Traditions Performance Firearms.
Leupold, America’s Optics Authority™, has been a title sponsor of the competition for four years, as well as a longtime supporter of RMEF’s work to ensure the future of elk, other wildlife and their habitat.