By Rob Monette, Regional Director – 920-382-5261, robmarshlandwwa@gmail.com

This article originally appeared in Wisconsin Waterfowl Association’s January, 2022 Newsletter edition.

What do Benny Breitkreutz, Austin Wendtland and Mason Tait have in common, after traveling for almost eleven hours?

All three, from Wisconsin, competed in the 86th Annual World’s Championship Duck Calling Contest, hosted by RNT- Mack’s Praire Wings. WWA hosted the Wisconsin state competition at the inaugural WI Waterfowl Expo in Oshkosh this past August. If you attended, or you’re reading this as part of our newsletter, you helped support them on their journey to what is billed as the Duck Capitol of the World – Stuttgart, Arkansas.

As fifty-six competitors took the stage over Thanksgiving weekend for a shot at the coveted crown amongst the “Rock Stars of the Duck World”,  to both hunters and call makers “this is their life”. In speaking with Austin about his experience, he mentioned it being a huge learning curve from his first trip in 2019 to this year’s contest. He felt more relaxed, recognized a few people from the first trip and enjoyed himself, “but still a bit nervous” about being on the World’s stage. He said it helps that “all the contestants are super nice”. A lot of them are guides which doesn’t hurt when looking for a hunt.

Austin and Benny were within a point of each other in the first round (215, 214) while Mason Tait with a score of 225 made it to the second round and was one point behind the eventual champion, finishing with a 429.

To me, after over twenty years of involvement with the State Duck Calling competition, it’s historical! Three of fifty-six, that’s pretty cool.