Washington State Duck calling contest info 2011

Here’s the scoop on the Washington State Sanctioned duck calling contest. Please read carefully as I think we are really heading in the right direction on this after many years of trying to set this up:

This year the sanctioned duck contest is planned to be at Wholesale Sports in Tri-Cities on Aug. 20 (we just found out that Oregon Waterfowl Festival is that same weekend, aargh). A major reason we chose Wholesale is that they have stores in several locations across the state so WWA chapters can, ideally, have non-sanctioned contests (or at least a calling clinic, hopefully including youth instruction and/or contest) at all the stores each year, with chapter(s) working to support the local store. THEN, each year, we would like to move the sanctioned contest to a different store on a 3 to 6 year rotation, so the sanctioned event moves around the state a bit. Hopefully, the smaller non-sanctioned contest build interest and skills, and lead up to the sanctioned event each year…

In regard to Cabela’s in Lacey, there have been some issues between WWA and Cabela’s because a couple years ago (or so) WWA asked Cabela’s for some mutual support arrangements and we were told pretty point blank at that time that Cabela’s doesn’t deal with “local” groups and had no real interest in working with us. HOWEVER, based on some conversations that Thor Ostrom and Howard Hicks (and maybe others too) have had with Cabela’s representatives over the past few months, it appears Cabela’s is now willing to work with WWA, and they are planning a calling contest July 23/24 for which they have asked for our support. So, I propose that the chapters around Cabela’s and any WWA folks that want to help, work with Cabela’s to have a successful contest, hopefully with a clinic for youth and sanctioned/competitive calling too. I will be gone floating the Grand Canyon at this time and so cannot help out during the event. However, I would be happy to lend sanctioned contest knowledge to those who are helping out Cabela’s with their contest. I have score sheets and knowledge about how competitive calling should be conducted, and some contacts that could help with clinic and/or judging. I am more than willing to meet with a couple WWA folks who want to manage WWA’s involvement, at Cabela’s, with Cabela’s reps, so we can work on setting up the calling stage, etc. I am NOT trying to say that I NEED to be involved….just that I am willing to help if needed/wanted, up until the end of June.

In addition, it seems possible to me that we can work Cabela’s into the rotation for the sanctioned contest. We have lot’s of time to work this out and if any of you talk with Cabela’s folks, feel free to pass this information along as a possibility. After we get this year’s contest successfully taken care of, we’ll spend some more time working out the long term rotation possibilities.

So, in summary, Aug. 20 Sanctioned duck calling contest at Tri-Cities Wholesale sports. Jim C. and I will try to work out potential for non-sanctioned contests at Wholesale Sports outlets around the state, and get information out to WWA chapters…look for these events primarily next year unless convenient opportunities develop and there are folks willing to jump in and help…such as the Cabela’s July contest, which I think we should participate in, but other’s beside me will have to make this decision because I won’t be here.

Another possibility is developing a sanctioned Northwest Regional calling event in Tri-Cities/Yakima Valley area…a few folks have been discussing this for years, and we would need to build it up, and then work with Stuttgart to get another Regional sanction.

Thanks all, and PLEASE, call Jim C. or me if you have questions about this and feel free to have others with questions call me too!!! 206.595.7481.

Rone