Paul,

Glad to hear you're at least looking at entering, it would be awesome to have you enter. It's always enjoyable to listen to good elk callers, but even more so when you can chat with them and know for a fact that they know what they're talking about when it comes to calling elk. I think everyone knows you're in that boat...

I'm going to try to slip away for the Utah contest if time allows for it. I have no doubt that you'd do just fine in the pro class. In all honesty, I think the best elk callers in the world enter the "Men's" class at the world championships. I think the competition in the "Men's" class is at a higher level than in the pro class. I'm not saying there aren't some great pro callers, but if a few of the guys from the men's class ever went into the pro's, they would likely win, in my opinion. And that's all it comes down to, opinion. It's really hard to sit in the audience and judge these competitions the same as the judges do. The final outcome is based on what the panel of judges think sounds most like an elk, not what you or I think sounds most like an elk. Every judge is different, so every contest is a guessing game. All you can do is do what you know sounds like an elk, and hope the judges agree with you! No matter the outcome, it's still a great time. I would suggest you enter, and if you'd like to get together ahead of time, I'd be more than happy to give whatever pointers I might have.

Jason, thanks for the welcome. Like you and the others, I'm just an avid elk hunter and bowhunter and love spending as much time as possible out in the woods! My Dad owns a game call company, so I've been bugling as long as I can remember, including calling contests. I have bugled against Dan Whitmus, he's a great guy and a great caller.

Robin Hood, great to hear from you! We're heading to Portland tomorrow for the 2005 contest. My sister and Dad weren't able to make it last year, but we'll all 3 be there this year. We'll let you know how it goes.

Thanks again for the welcomes!

Corey