Just an FYI, to those who entered the Nationals....

[amims5]

Competition is great for developing new and better techniques for making calls. I suspect, that the biggest draw back (if there is one) is, that the new guys on the block have a preconcieved idea that the better known callmakers have a leg up in the competitions. From what I have seen, this idea is false. There are those on this forum who have produced winning calls in only a few short years of competing w/ the well established callmakers.

Bill

I agree with you entirely, however, there are a lot of outstanding call makers who dont enter the Nats.  To me this is a real shame.  I'm a believer that in order to be the best, you must beat the best.  I'm not sure that the Nats can continue to accomplish crowning a champion as more former Champions hang up competing and other notable call makers dont compete at all.  Its a real challenge moving forward as I see it, as at some point you go from finding "the best of the best" to finding "the best of the rest"...

I get what your saying but it is a direct contradiction to a very popular line of thinking. As you pointed out earlier, there is a large faction of veteran call makers who think the newer call makers are in it for the money. If it is a passion for the older call makers then the impact of the results will not have an affect on their decision to enter. There are givens with any type of activity that a person decides to do. There will never be another Mickey Mantle, there will never be another Jerry Rice, there will never be another Ali. Just like there will never be another Neil Cost. If a accomplished call maker decides not to enter then that is their business. If it is strictly for fear that they might not equal past accomplishments then what is the real motivation for them? Obviously if making calls is the primary income then that would weigh heavily in their decision.

I know the results of a competition will affect the sales and reputation of any call maker. If you've won it before then who's to say you can't win it again? If you continue to win how much more will that add to a call makers reputation? I would love to see all the past winners that are still living compete. It wouldn't change my perception of any of them and it sure wouldn't change how their calls sounded weather they placed first or dead last.

[SS Custom Calls]

I think everyone, new, and veteran makers alike should enter the comps if that's what they would like to do. Heck, how else do you know how you stack up against the veteran call makers. I'll admit no one was more shocked than I was at last years convention! We're pretty new to the game ourselves.  I was very intimidated by the more known callmakers going into it. Once I got there, I realized they were just good ol' boys like us and we had a ball! To get my butt handed to me by my son in the one sider class was the highlight of the convention!!!     Seriously when I found out how Josh did, I could barely hold back the tears. That's a day I will never forget!! And if we wouldn't have entered, I wouldn't have that memory!    We look forward to competing against everyone and each other again this year. Look forward to seeing everyone there!!

Al

[GR8CALLS]

Ak......alias..........AL

Did you change your name to protect the innocent??     Or to throw off the judges and Josh??  

Nice try AL!  

Bill

[SS Custom Calls]

Ak......alias..........AL

Did you change your name to protect the innocent??     Or to throw off the judges and Josh??  

Nice try AL!  

Bill

 LMBO!!!  Too quick on the draw there I guess!  Good eye Bill, I see I can't fool you!!   

[jrwingbone]

My first time entering calls in ANY contest! Not expecting to do much, donated ALL the calls to the NWTF, just want to see how they fair with ALL of the experts who are entering. ALL are going in the hunter div. Thanks for looking.

[amims5]

My first time entering calls in ANY contest! Not expecting to do much, donated ALL the calls to the NWTF, just want to see how they fair with ALL of the experts who are entering. ALL are going in the hunter div. Thanks for looking.

Man those look good. Good luck. I'm like you, first time, not expecting much and just wanting to see how it goes.

[Old Geezer]

My first time entering calls in ANY contest! Not expecting to do much, donated ALL the calls to the NWTF, just want to see how they fair with ALL of the experts who are entering. ALL are going in the hunter div. Thanks for looking.

Do not sell yourself short.   It is nice to support the NWTF.  But a 50/50 split on even a category win buys some nice exotic wood or equipment and the NWTF still shares in your good fortune.  I know guys who went home from the Nats, saying to themselves "What was I thinking!"

The Geezer.

[GR8CALLS]

 If you donated these.....make sure you get a receipt for them.......either to write off on taxes or to put the value towards upping your status of membership in the NWTF.

Bill

[TLSelf]

This was my first time entering as well.  I did the 50/50 split.  Figured if I wanted to buy them back I'm only paying 1/2 price.

Todd

[hnter1018]

I took the 50/50 spilt from the midwest. What I got back from a 2nd and 4th place wouldn't buy me two new bits for the dremmel. I'll take placing over anything but man I was a bit disapointed opening the envelope.

I like entering the compititions. Gives me something to look forward to in the off seasons. One of the things I would like is for them to send score sheets to the call makers so you can see how you did with the call and what areas you need to work on.

[longbeardfever4ever]

I took the 50/50 spilt from the midwest. What I got back from a 2nd and 4th place wouldn't buy me two new bits for the dremmel. I'll take placing over anything but man I was a bit disapointed opening the envelope.

I like entering the compititions. Gives me something to look forward to in the off seasons. One of the things I would like is for them to send score sheets to the call makers so you can see how you did with the call and what areas you need to work on.

Yes, i heard they didnt sell well because very few collectors were there, but that sure isnt true about nats!

Good luck to all who entered, i didnt have time this year, next year hopefully! 

[Daryl]

If you donated these.....make sure you get a receipt for them.......either to write off on taxes or to put the value towards upping your status of membership in the NWTF.

Bill

Bill,

Can you explain how this works (about membership status)? Who you show the receipts to, etc....

Thanks,

Daryl

[GR8CALLS]

Daryl

 All you need to do is contact the NWTF (Karen Cavender) and she can hook you up to the proper individual to discuss this with. Just let her know you gave a full donation of your calls to the NWTF and their value, and would like to apply that donation towards increasing your membership status.

Bill

[Daryl]

Thank you. Always wondered that...just never got around to asking. Thanks again.

Daryl