Campbell Wins 2006 State Duck Calling Title

With a consistent performance through three rounds of competition, Jason Wayne Campbell of Iowa, Louisiana topped a field of 17 callers Sunday (Aug. 27) to win the 2006 State Duck Calling Championship. The senior duck calling competition was the premier event at the 38th Annual State Duck and Goose Calling Contest hosted by the Gueydan Duck Festival Association in cooperation with the Louisiana Wildlife Federation.

The victory was especially satisfying to Campbell who finished second in last year's state competition, and third in 2004. His persistence and practice paid off as he bested defending state champ Phil T. Green II of New Iberia. Green won the contest in 2005 and 2004 but finished second this go-round. As state champ, Campbell is eligible to represent Louisiana in the World Duck Calling Contest, Nov. 24-26 in Stuttgart, Arkansas.

Kearney Hanks of Rayne finished in third place in a contest that saw many outstanding performances. Only a minor "squeak" or glitch in cadence kept at least a half dozen of the competitors from a place in the winner's circle.

In the intermediate (14-16 years of age) duck calling division, Charles "Slade" Norfleet of Luling placed 1st for the second year in a row, followed by Matthew Laprarie of Deville in 2nd and Thomas Roy of Lafayette in 3rd. Norfleet was the junior Division Champ in 2004 and 2003.

Austin Hebert of Lafayette won the junior division (under 14) competition in a callback round to break a tie with Kennon Menard, also of Lafayette, who took 2nd place. Bo Bourque of Gueydan took 3rd in the junior competition.

Both Norfleet and Hebert are eligible to represent Louisiana in their respective divisions at the World Duck Calling Contest.

In the goose calling competition, Tom Fulkerson of Kaplan took first in the senior division of the Blue/Snow category followed by Cody Vincent of Gueydan in 2nd place and James Meyers of Sulphur in 3rd. The junior blue/snow division (under 17 years of age) was won by Chris Daniels of Lake Charles followed by Austin Hebert in 2nd and Thomas Roy in 3rd.

Jason Campbell bested the field of 15 specklebelly callers to take 1st place in the senior division and achieve the rare accomplishment of being both the state duck calling and speckled-belly goose calling champ. James Meyers took 2nd and Nathan Lopez 3rd. The junior speck competition was won by Chris Daniels with Thomas Roy taking 2nd place and Taylor Robideaux of Lafayette taking 3rd. Daniels had finished second in this competition the previous 2 years.

The top 3 finishers in each division received plaques and the winners will receive state champion jackets. All registered contestants were eligible for drawings for numerous prizes donated by contest sponsors and supporters, including 2 beautiful Baretta Ambassador Xtra automatic shotguns in 12 and 20 gauge. Shotgun winners were Kennon Menard (20 ga.) and Chris Mire of Sulphur won the 12 gauge.

The event was supported by numerous volunteers led by contest chairman Phil McDaniel of Gueydan. Louisiana State Senator Nick Gautreaux of Meaux once again served as scorekeeper and Louisiana Wildlife Federation executive director Randy Lanctot was contest announcer. The contest was videotaped by TV personality Gary Rispone for later broadcast on "Paradise Louisiana." The contest was held at the Gueydan Civic Center in conjunction with the 30th Annual Gueydan Duck Festival.

Thanks to the following sponsors and donors for supporting the contest with their products, services and financial contributions: G & H Seed; Farm Bureau; Bell South; Louisiana Fish Fry Products; Avery Outdoors; Budweiser; Cajun Audits; Dave Smith Decoys; Edward Jones-Robert Hackett; Flow Petroleum Services, Inc.; Tule' Hunting Club; Paradise Louisiana; Acadiana Ford; B & S Flyers; Florance Farms; Chien Caille Calls; Cajun Way Hunting Lodge; Coteau Meche; Atchafalaya Measurement; Marceaux's Superette; Lombard Securities.