Midwest call builders contest/ changes being made

[neal]

Hey guys I just wanted to bring this up and let everyone know that some changes for the better are coming down the line for this call builders contest, while we are still in the planning stages and plan to have the changes made by mid-June. I cannot say what all we will be changing but it will be things to bring call sale prices up and be all around better contest for builders, collectors, and hunters looking for top calls in the country to add to their vest.

So I would love any input anyone may have as to what things they would like to see changed. In the past I just judged at this event but I am stepping up and taking on a little bigger role to improve the contest. I am looking forward to hearing any ideas that will make it the best contest possible for the call makers.

And also remember how quickly this contest comes up, so remember to put a few of your top calls aside this year when you're building them.

[longbeard48]

Sure wish they would add a Scratch Box category!
Tom

[MKW]

Can the guys that judge the calls actually run calls, be it trumpets, or pot calls, or box calls?  I just don't see how one panel of judges can be proficient enough with every type of call to judge every type of call. This has always been my hang-up with callmakers competitions.

Mike

[superstrutter]

They should only hear the calls. They shouldn't know who makes the calls or even what they look like. I heard there was a judge at Nashville this year, that didn't even know how to run a scratch box! There should be changes made with the way they judge for sure!

[TRKYHTR]

How about the top 5 friction contest winners have to judge the callmakers competition. That way you know you have guys that can actually run a pot or a box. Trumpets are a different breed. But you sure need to find somebody that can run a trumpet or tube call to judge it. maybe they have to qualify to judge by sending in a clip of them actually playing the call. Just a thought.


TRKYHTR

[trb136]

The judges should only hear the call...Have capable people that can play calls, I agree with Bob...The judges shouldnt know who made the call

[TLSelf]

I personally think that the judging should be a two stage process.   
Stage 1) Blind Judging of each call.  This is where ONE person, that is proficient with that type of call (preference to a calling champion) plays each call and the judges score it on Sound alone.   (The caller should run the full array and same sequence of calls on every call)
Stage 2) Every call is played by each judge and scored on playability, craftsmanship, etc.   

Stage 1 should account for approximately 75-80% of the calls total score.

Also, I believe EVERY call should be scored, not just the top 20 or so that make the cut, and a copy of the score sheet provided to the callmaker.  This allows each callmaker to know what was good and what needs improvement (This is very valuable information to a callmaker).

I realize that this would certainly take more time, but I believe it is the only fair way to judge the calls.

Just my $.02.

Todd

[MKW]

The judges should only hear the call...Have capable people that can play calls, I agree with Bob...The judges shouldnt know who made the call

This wouldn't work too well with trumpets cause half the worth of a trumpet is playability, IMO. Just need folks that know how to run them (and there aren't many of them) to judge them.

Mike

[Porter]

Wow I thought I only had several of these ideas...  I've seen countless judges running calls that did not know what they were doing.  Last year was a real shocker seeing a judge attempt to play a trumpet and was worse than me on them... 

[icdedturkes]

The judges should only hear the call...Have capable people that can play calls, I agree with Bob...The judges shouldnt know who made the call

And than who judges who is capable.. I hear alot of videos posted whereas people are in awe and its fair calling at best..

[ronmexico]

The judges shouldn't know who the call was made by and the scores of each judge should be public.  Seems friendships and "reputation" often play too large a role. 

[West Augusta]

I personally think that the judging should be a two stage process.   
Stage 1) Blind Judging of each call.  This is where ONE person, that is proficient with that type of call (preference to a calling champion) plays each call and the judges score it on Sound alone.   (The caller should run the full array and same sequence of calls on every call)
Stage 2) Every call is played by each judge and scored on playability, craftsmanship, etc.   

Stage 1 should account for approximately 75-80% of the calls total score.

Also, I believe EVERY call should be scored, not just the top 20 or so that make the cut, and a copy of the score sheet provided to the callmaker.  This allows each callmaker to know what was good and what needs improvement (This is very valuable information to a callmaker).

I realize that this would certainly take more time, but I believe it is the only fair way to judge the calls.

Just my $.02.

Todd

+1

[neal]

Thanks guys for all of the input, as far as judges not every judge, judges every division. Some judges cannot run a trumpet or tube call and will say it. But they can run a pot call or box call so they judge that. I see the point of not being able to play the call or see it let someone else run it. Here's the problem with that he's one guy someone mentioned favortism well if 80% of the score comes from him, what if he doesn't run the call well on purposs? Not saying he would but it would be an argument someone could make. The judges have pretty solid back grounds in running calls one is a national friction and gobbling champ Scott Wilhelm, I've won and placed in several calling competitions over the years and have been judging for 10 years, others are call builders Chad Zutter, Dave Consitinetine, Don Bald, we've had Brian Lovett in the past, and guys who can flat out run a call.

There is always a human element with any of these contests thats why there is 5 judges the top and low scores get thrown out and only the three remaining are used.

Score sheets are always public anyone at any time can ask to see them, as judges we put our name of top of each on. I have had on several occasions had call makers ask my opinon, and I try the best I can to help. I'm not a call maker like most here but I can tell you about rollover, front end and several other things that we like to hear out a call. And I can tell you right now I could care less who made the call or what it looks like in the hunting calls if it spits feathers I'm scoring it high.
Also there is a scratch box catagory it is the other catagory with push buttons, trough calls, scratch boxes etc.

Again I want to thank everyone for their input, I want this to be a great contest and I don't think anyone wants to see it go away, thats why we are changing some things.



Neal

[MKW]

So...who judged the trumpets this year??

Mike

[Shadowturkeycaller]

I personally think that the judging should be a two stage process.   
Stage 1) Blind Judging of each call.  This is where ONE person, that is proficient with that type of call (preference to a calling champion) plays each call and the judges score it on Sound alone.   (The caller should run the full array and same sequence of calls on every call)
Stage 2) Every call is played by each judge and scored on playability, craftsmanship, etc.   

Stage 1 should account for approximately 75-80% of the calls total score.

Also, I believe EVERY call should be scored, not just the top 20 or so that make the cut, and a copy of the score sheet provided to the callmaker.  This allows each callmaker to know what was good and what needs improvement (This is very valuable information to a callmaker).

I realize that this would certainly take more time, but I believe it is the only fair way to judge the calls.

I think this would work well!....covers all the bases

Just my $.02.

Todd