New NWTF decision to increase prize money....

[GR8CALLS]

for Duck and Goose decorative division.

 I have received several inquiries as to what is up with the NWTF's decision to increase the prize money for Decorative Duck and Goose. As I have no input into these decisions by the NWTF, I raised this very question to them. Below is Charlie Burke's response. Not sure it answers the questions posed by those entering working calls, but, here it is!

Good Morning Bill, Thank you for your heads up question regarding the prize money for Division III Decorative Duck and Goose calls.  The decision to increase the prize money was made because we have received complaints from Duck & Goose call makers that we were not treating them in a similar manner as the Decorative Turkey Competition.  In past years we offered the winner of Decorative Turkey a $3,000 prize award, in  Decorative Duck and Goose the prize awards were: 1st Best of Show $500, 2nd Best of Show  $250 and 3rd Best of Show $150. In conversations with Mark Warmath who heads ups Decorative Duck and Goose he has indicated that we are not attracting the very best duck & goose call makers.  The reason being their calls sell for $1,500 to $3,000 and they have no problem selling them.  Conversely, very few if any hunting calls can achieve that level of value. We strive to be fair to all and welcome all suggestions both negative and positive.  I hope this helps and would appreciate your support in helping get the word out when asked.  If you have more questions and or concerns I would be pleased to respond. Thanks Charley

 

 

Charles J. Burke

Senior Regional Director WI.

Office: 608-634-3886

Cell: 608-553-0087

 

[Blackfalcon]

Would you have a link to the increases Bill? I looked on the NWTF website but couldn't find anything. Thanks for sharing the info!

[Turkeybuster]

I have about had enough of the NWTF next were going to have category's for clam rakes and catfish traps. If the duck hunters don't like the prize money cry on DU'S shoulder. If the duck hunters are getting prices like this for there calls they definitely don't need the money. On the other hand the turkey call makers need to raise there prices by 1,300.00 a call. What a joke and not what the Turkey Federation was built on. We need a new president etc. down the line. Next they may want to bail out General Motors. It is getting out of hand fast it is turning out to be a money making thing that the normal member whose backs the federation was built on can't afford to keep up with there programs.
This all probably got started because we partnered with DU. funny I never saw DU have a turkey call contest. Our call makers have been treated unfairly for a long time and it takes a lot of guts to ask for more money. Our call makers need the money they our the builders of the NWTF along with our members and volunteers. It's time to clean up our act and cut out the bull  .

Jon

[GR8CALLS]

  This was my response to Charlie in an email sent 10/19/16. As you can see in his first email to me, he said he would welcome any suggestions. Have not heard back from him since it was sent.

Charlie




  I appreciate your reply. Not sure that satisfies the call makers who enter the working call divisions. These are the very folks who brought the NWTF to prominence over the years, the heart and soul of the NWTF. It would be a different question if this was a organization for Duck and Goose hunters, but it isn't. Telling these guys that Duck and Goose calls sell for 3K when, a Zach Farmer turkey call sells for 5K (and isn't close to being a decorative call) just doesn't connect. Besides, I always been of the opinion, you entered  for the notoriety, which increases sales, not the prize money.




Bill



 

   As many of you know, I have not been a fan of the NWTF for a very long time and even suggested call makers boycott the competition, 5 or 6 years ago. This is not the NWTF I joined in 1975, nor should it be. BUT, ignoring your root support for the almighty dollar,is an unbelievable slap in the face of turkey hunters across the country!


Bill

[Turkeybuster]

Bill

I don't usually say too much I guess I had to get it off my chest. We joined the federation about the same time I was a benefactor member and the next year became a life member. It was a rag tag group of turkey hunters wanting to help to bring turkey hunting back to life again. We were all working for the same goal at that time. At that time the only camo was military from viet nam and here in Pa. if you heard a turkey gobble you had a great day. Calls were few mostly home made and mouth yelpers were just being introduced. The federation was formed only by a lot of hard work as you know as you were part of it. It was all fun watching it grow to what it is today but now something is wrong very wrong.

I don't like to see people being abused and there is enough of that going around In the federation today. Every body want's on the band wagon and a certain few want to run the show. They know much better than us how it should be run. It wouldn't surprise me if the call making end of it won't even exist
in the future there going to price these gentlemen right out of the competition. That is just wrong!
Diversify is ok to a certain extent but I think its going too far and how many members do you think are really going to use the shooting complex?

Jon

[GR8CALLS]

 Couldn't agree more, Jon! I began as a yearly member and then a life and some years ago a Diamond Life. They don't even respect the Life members any more. They at one time actually gave a nice gift to Life members at nationals!

Bill

[Turkeybuster]

We always got invited to a breakfeast every year also at the nationals things have changed.

Jon