Monday, March 31, 2008 Seacoastonline.com
By Elizabeth Dinan
edinan@seacoastonline.com
March 31, 2008 10:49 AM
KITTERY, Maine — Demonstrating that a wild turkey's audible repertoire far exceeds the simple gobble, a gaggle of turkey callers competed Sunday at the Kittery Trading Post's second annual amateur turkey calling contest.
Some, like Emily Elizabeth Augusta, used box calls - wooden boxes with movable parts designed to mimic various turkey calls, including the "kee-kee run," the "adult hen assembly call" and the "purr." Augusta, 6, competed in the under-15, or "jakes" division.
Also competing in the jakes division, Tyler Stanley used a friction call — a palm-held, puck-like disc that squeaks out turkey sounds when rubbed the right way with a striking stick.
All of the 11 competing "toms" — adult men — placed "diaphragms" into their mouths and strut around the KTP's Katahdin Room while gobbling out variations of so-called clicks, purrs, yelps and cutts.
"I tell you, I thought some of these men were going to start growing feathers," said Joe Judd, celebrity turkey hunter, outdoor columnist, cable TV host, president of the Mass. chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation and contest master of ceremonies.
When it was Joe Warger's turn, he took a drink of water, wiped his hands on the sides of his jeans, leaned forward and cupped his mouth with his right hand, while mimicking his best turkey purr on command. Pacing and purring, Warger then added his left hand to cup the call, before signaling to Judd that he was ready for the next challenge.
Competitors were instructed to perform three assigned calls, before their finale of their call of choice.
The competition culminated KTP's week-long turkey event, which included 40 different turkey-calling instructional seminars, said KTP promotions manager Julie-lynn Belon.
Most were hosted by the rock stars of the turkey calling world, including world champion caller, Chris Parrish, who flew in from Missouri for the event and had some advice for the amateurs.
"A lot of practice," he said.
After 11 toms, 11 jakes and two women callers — affectionately labeled "hens" — competed, the winners were announced and presented with generous KTP gift cards.
They are as follows:
Youth: First; David Augusta, Second;Tyler Stanley, Third; Dylan Carter
Women: First; Sandra Stanley, Second; Amy Baily
Men's: First; Joe Warger, Second; Jim Westcock, Third; Bill Middleton.
Belon said she hopes the contest will soon be sanctioned, so callers can compete nationally.
"It's all about families understanding the sport and getting them outdoors," said Judd.
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