I don't know where to post this but since elk calling is mostly a archery type of thing, I am posting it here. Ok for those who don'tknow me, besides being a huge elk hunter I am a serious competion elk caller and have been so the last 2 years. I travel to many different competitons in the west.Here are a few of the bigger competions that I compeated in lastyear.I am also sayingwhat I placed to help you understand my problem and maybe have some advice. For the most part these competions are all sponsored by the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. In January 2006 I started off the year at theCalifoniaStateChampionships, took 4th overall, I admit I wasrusty and it was nice to have one competion under my belt before worlds. In februaryit was worlds championships in Reno Nevada atthe RMEF annual elk camp, I took10th place. In march it was on toSalt Lake Utah. ISEBest of the west again I choked, and again I took 4th. In Julyit wasIdaho State championship, which is not only my home statebut a very hard stateto be at the top because of the number of excellent callers. In the first round I did awesome and didn't choke and made it into the top 3.In the second roundto be battled out by the top 3 for first second and third, I did so so ok, and was tied for second place at the end of that round.There was a first place winner, but then me and this other caller were tied for second, sowe had to have another round/call off tie breaker. In the last round I let my nerves get the best of me, and I choked and ended up in third place. In the Montana state championships in August I didn't choke becasue I knew that there were8 callers who were ranked under the 10 best callers in the world. I didn't think I had a chance against them and didn't feel much pressure and as a result I didn't choke, and I ended up taking fouth place. Speaking of worlds, last year was my first time at worlds and I didn't think I had a chance either, andlike I said before I took 10th overall inworld. To some thats awesome. and yes its kind of close to the top, but at the same time1st place feels far off to me.After the contest I did havea small pro staff offer from Knight and Hale game calls that I ended up turing down.(another story for a different day).I am sponsored in my calling by ASAT camo, so I know I am not a bad caller, but I am not at the very top either.I admit Iwas on cloude nine after worlds in february because I never expected to do that well, but thencamecrashing down becasue I choked/bombed in the ISE best of the west in Utah a month later in march. In the past I have taken 3rd and 2ndinUtah so to only come out in 4thwas a huge dissapointmen.Sure there were good callers in Utah but nowhere near the level of competion that I had to face in Worlds, Idaho or Montana.Before the contest startedin Utah Iknewthat Iout calledall the other callers that were there at worlds the month before. At the same time for some reason I felt huge pressure andI choked instead and they beat me, or I should say I beat myself. I do want you to understand that I am not trying to take anything away from any other callers, so please don't think I am putting them down in any way.Also please don't think I am being a sore looser, becaue I am not and I givecredit where credit is due to thewinners. If I choke I choked andI admitI don'tdeserve to win whenthat happens.Most competitorshave become friends andand I will saymost if not allare all good callers or else they wouldn't dare be on stage in the first place. But at worldsIMO and manyothercalling expets/manufactures agreethat the top 20 callers are just flat out awsome with what they can do with a diaphram elk call.They are trulygreat with the calls on stage oroff, and for many people it would be a treat to go elk hunting with any of them. In my mind I look at many of them and can't believe that I beat them for I thinkthat they are betterthan me. And that is part of the problem, I know I need to have more confidence in myself.Now when I say I choked, its because I get stage fright, and loose my concentration. I have had several past world champs that have worked with me a bit here and there and tell methat I have the ability to win the entire thing if I wouldn't get nevous and let stage fright get the best of me. I guess they see something I don't and feel that I could be their equal on a stage. Now I just have to get myself to believe that. lol This also sounds silly but I can kind of understand what some people in other sports feel. Some athletes are among the best of the best but when a game is on the line they, screw up and loose it. I feel like I am so close to breaking over the top and instead of just missing the top 3 that I could be in the top 3 almost all the time. I just have to figure out how to overcome my stage fright and do what I can do without any pressure. So I ask what if any ideas do any of you have for helping me overcome stage fright. Sure you might have never been in a calling competition of any kind before but that doesn't mean you don't have a idea or experience that might help me. Ido feel silly and realy dumbin asking this but I want make it into the top 5/or better at worlds at the end of this monthso bad that I am willing to try anything that might help me. If I could just take a recording from what I sound like at home in my living room then I might just have a chance, lolbut in front of several hunderd people, and 7 hidden judges, well its not as easy as it seems. Thanks for taking the time to read this, and I thank you in advance for any advice you have. Jason