enthusiasts slowly gathered around the stage at 2:00 p.m. to watch some of the

best: Art Beauchamp, Chick Majors (1945 Word Champion), Tom Burge (Missouri

State Champion), Carl Zieglowsky (Iowa State Champion), and W.C. Cross (winner

of the championship in 1957 and 1958). Then there was Daryl Cates, of Memphis, the youngest ever to enter at 13 years, having

won the TennesseeState title.

best hunting togs, forty men, with testosterone flowing, tooted, and chattered

four calls – the open water call, woods call, mating call, and the comeback

call. However, one contestant – number 13 – dressed a little different, strolling

to the stage in a band outfit. Although unusual, many in the audience thought

it might be divine guidance, especially after 50 or more ducks passed overhead

when the Arkansas State Teachers College band played earlier during the day.

13 was a high school senior, 17, proficient with a clarinet and a caller,

having captured five previous calling titles – the first at age 12. Each year

thereafter, a trophy was added to the trophy case. Nevertheless, this was the

first entry in the world championship.