Who will be crowned champion of a ‘unique instrument,’ the duck caller?

More than 20 finalists from around the country will put a small “woodwind instrument” to their lips this weekend – as they battle each other to become the country’s top duck caller.

The grand final of the New Zealand Duck Calling Championships will be staged at clay target shooting range, Loaded NZ near Tauranga, from 2pmon Saturday 9 July, 2016.

Organiser Adam Rayner is delighted with the results of the regional rounds which have left 24 competitors, roughly half from the North and half from the South Island, vying for the national prize – a trip to compete in the world championships in Maryland in the U.S.

“Competitors range from a 10 year-old Tauranga boy from Greenpark School, Luke Spargo, and well-known junior champ, 14 year-old Holly Irvine from Richmond near Nelson, to seasoned duck calling veterans,” he says.

Another finalist is Wanaka’s Hunter Morrow who placed fifth in the world champs last year, Mr Rayner adds.

He says the aim of the champs has been to “showcase a celebration of New Zealand waterfowling.”

“We’d love to boost awareness and support for duck calling in this country – in the U.S. duck calling is huge with the national champs providing a first prize of $U.S. 10,000 plus other goodies.”

Mr Rayner says that a duck caller is in fact a wind instrument, and as such requires practice to perfect the differing calls, “using your tongue right and breathing properly.”

Anyone can pick up a duck caller and make noise but it takes a great deal of skill to produce the sounds that resemble live ducks, he adds. “Hunter Morrow practices up to four hours a day to perfect his calling.”

Adam Rayner says families are welcome to attend the champs on Saturday, with the clay target range open to the public before the duck calling finals which are due to get underway at around 2pm. There will be “plenty to see and do,” including various demonstrations and exhibits including duck decoys from Australasia’s biggest collection.

Eastern Region Field Officer John Meikle, who is one of the judges for the finals, says Fish & Game is keen to support such events, which demonstrate that duck hunting is about far more than simply pulling the trigger.

“Duck calling is an important part of duck hunting culture and a key skill we are pleased to help promote.”

Different people have their own “fascinations,” he adds, whether it’s collecting decoys or coming up with innovations before the next season’s hunting.

Mr Meikle says that events like duck calling also have a role in helping to inspire less experience hunters to become proficient in a skill which is vital for successful duck hunting.
He notes that all those involved in organising and staging the champs have done so voluntarily, out of their passion for the sport.

Mr Meikle says it’s also important to thank the sponsors of the national championships and the regional rounds, as this type of event is in its infancy in New Zealand, and it is pleasing to have had such strong support.

ENDS

© Scoop Media