Contest Rules

Waterfowl Calling Contest Rules

1) Registration: TRD0710

Registration will be by official entry blank which can be obtained at the onsite registration. Only the first event has a set time. All other events will start immediately at the conclusion of the previous event.

2) Order of Appearance of Contestants:

Subsequent to the closing of registration, a master list will be prepared listing all contestants. Each contestant will draw a number for order of appearance. The contestants in any callback, which the committee may require, will draw a new number before each appearance. Contestants shall be identified by number only until the conclusion of the contest. Contestants will not be permitted to leave the isolation area during the contest except when accompanied by a contest official. Smoking shall not be allowed in the isolation area. There will be three (3) rounds of competition in each event. Cuts will be made after first and second rounds according to point standings. Regardless of the beginning contestant numbers, the top five (5) contestants will be called back for the final round. Before determining those eligible for callback and before determining a winner, the total number of points for each contestant will be determined by totaling the scores from all judges. The contestant with the highest score shall be declared the contest winner. The next highest score wins second place and then the next highest score is the third place finisher. In all instances, the decision of the judges shall be final.

3) Rules:

Callers may use any legal pneumatic call in a mainstreet or mallard meat contest. In a Real Duck contest callers may use any legal pneumatic call, voice and or mechanical calls. No electronic equipment of any kind is allowed. For any reason contestants may be asked by the judges to repeat calls. No cell phones allowed in the isolated area (bullpen). The use of will be grounds for disqualification. There shall be no talking or communication in any form with anyone other than a contest official or contest competitor while inside the isolation area (bullpen) and only with a contest official while outside the isolation area (bullpen) during the contest. The use of alcoholic beverages or drugs will not be permitted during the competition. This or any other conduct unbecoming a sportsman, sports-woman, gentleman, or lady, as determined by the designated contest officials, said contestant will be disqualified. TeamRealDuck reserves the right to interpret the application of the contest rules & policies. All rules subject to interpretation by TeamRealDuck officials are final. Any questions please see a TeamRealDuck official before contest begins.

4) Method of Judging:

Contestants will be asked whether they want a “warm up” or not. Warm up is not to exceed fifteen (15) seconds. The red light will be on when contestant steps on stage and will go off at 10 seconds into the callers warm up giving them 5 seconds to conclude their warm up. Contestants must make no sound except for calling onstage, will result in elimination. Each time a contestant is permitted to call the time shall be limited to one and one-half (1 ½) minutes (90 seconds). Any caller who blows over the time limit will be disqualified. A red signal light will be in view of the contestants. When a contestant is ready or asked to begin his or her call, and so indicates (by nodding), the timer will begin on first note. The light will remain off for one (1) minute and twenty (20) seconds, and will be turned ON in view of the contestant at the end of this time period. The contestant must complete the call within the next ten (10) second period. Failure to complete the call before the time (red light) goes off will disqualify the contestant from further competition in said event only. There will be a designated place (stage and/or blind) for the contestant to stand. Contestant must not walk past set boundaries or be subject to elimination. Judges will be located in such a manner that it is impossible for them to see and or identify any contestant except by caller number only. (Number announced by M.C.)

*Note – Time limit for both Junior and Open division (except Real Duck) is the same (1 ½) minutes

(90 seconds).

*Note – The only exception to the above time rule is the time limit for both Junior and Open divisions in the Real Duck calling event. The time limit will be (2) minutes (120 seconds) for the caller to complete their routine.

5) Scoring:

Scoring for contests is by a point system. First round scores are from 70 to 79 points, Second round is 80 – 89 points, and Third round is 90 – 99 points. (Points are accumulated with each round.) There are five (5) judges and the contestants high and low scores are thrown out each round. The remaining three are used for scoring. The decision of the three (3) judge’s accumulated scores will be the final score, per round. Remaining contestants moving to 2^nd or 3^rd round, scores are added with previous rounds. In the event of a tie after the last round, a call off will be between those in the stated tie for placement. Scoring will be from 90 to 99 points for each tying round. Decisions of the committee shall in all instances, be final.

Scoring for “Real Duck” contests is by a point system. All three rounds a caller is awarded points from 0-9 for each species of which they are required to call. Those five scores are added together to calculate that callers score for that round. Each species must be called two or more times separated by another species in their routine . (Points are accumulated with each round.) There are five (5) judges and the contestants high and low scores are thrown out each round. The remaining three are used for scoring. The decision of the three (3) judge’s accumulated scores will be the final score, per round. Remaining contestants moving to 2^nd or 3^rd round, scores are added with previous rounds. In the event of a tie after the last round, a call off will be between those in the stated tie for placement. Scoring will be from 0 to 9 points for each tying round. Decisions of the committee shall in all instances, be final.

6) Divisions:

There are two (2) divisions. One is classified as the Open Division; the other being classified as the Junior Division. The Open Division is open to any age contestant male or female. The Junior Division is open to any contestant (male or female) being under the age of eighteen (18) on day of contest. Men and women will compete together. Team Calling consists of two callers and events are open to anyone. In Team Calling – Limit of two (2) teams per person, per each calling event.

7) Calling Routine Descriptions:

Here at TeamRealDuck we are implementing a contest format that will test all callers and styles of calling.

Duck Calling

Arkansas Style - Judging shall be based upon contestant’s ability to bring in a simulated flight of ducks using all of the following calls: 1) “Hail or long distance” call; 2) “Mating or lonesome duck” call; 3) “Feed or chatter” call; 4) “Comeback” call.

Real Mallard Style (Individual and Team) - Hunting Style calling using a hunting scenario (In other words, no ringing hail calls and no rolling feed calls). Mallard hen calling only. Judging shall be based upon contestant’s ability to bring in a simulated flight of ducks using all of the following calls: 1) Hail call; 2) Mating or lonesome duck call; 3) Feed or chatter call; 4) Comeback call.

Real Duck (Individual and Team) - Hunting Style calling using a hunting scenario. Pneumatic, Whistle type calls are aloud. Judging shall be based upon contestant’s ability to bring in simulated flights of ducks which will include the following species; Mallards (drake, hen or both), Pintail, Widgeon, Blue Wing Teal, and Wood Duck. A callers routine should incorporate all of the species just as you would in a real hunting scenario. You are going to be judged on each species and then the score s of each species will be added together to calculate a callers final score for that round.

Goose Calling

In our Snow Goose and Specklebelly Goose calling contests the following format should be followed and will be judged as stated. Pneumatic and mouth calling are aloud. It will require some contest "style" calling and hunting "style" calling (no long rolling contest hails in the speck contest). Judging shall be based upon a contestant’s ability to bring in a simulated flight of geese using all of the following calls: 1) “Hail” call; 2) “Greeting or Come On” call, “Feed and or Murmur” call, “Come Back” call.

The calling scenario is as follows;

You are in a hunting blind and in the distance you see a flock of geese 8-12 in number. You should get there attention with a loud aggressive style hail call. As the birds turn toward you, at first you stay on them with some pretty hard/aggressive greeting calls to keep their attention so that they don't drift off. You now see that they are interested in your spread and tone (soften) down your greeting calls and start some ground work trying to display the realism and confidence it will take to get them to completely commit to your spread (ground noises such as murmurs and clucks MUST BE USED). As the birds are on the last pass right before you call the shot the birds flare off. At this point you hit them hard with your come back call to try to get them back and as they turn back to you, you use a toned down (soften) greeting call again, and finish them with some more ground work (ground noises such as murmurs and clucks).

Good Luck to All Calling Contestants!