The Waterfowl Festival in Easton, Maryland plays host to the World Goose Calling Championship. It is the only two-day calling contest event on the calendar but throughout the 50 years of the festival, it is the World Goose contest that has been the main event. Champions that many of us know added a new name to their ranks and trophy with Lee Williams.
Lee and his Bay Country Call beat out over 19 other competitors including previous winners Kile Jones, R.J. Dick and Trevor Shannahan [who would go on to win the Champion of Champions goose calling event that weekend] in the event starting Friday evening. Each caller left every trick, cluck and note they had on the stage to make each cut in a convincing style.
What got you started in competition calling?
Growing up as a hunter I started goose hunting around 17 years old. I loved how vocal geese were and was hooked. I saw a short clip one year of Field Hudnall winning the world and a small clip of his routine and was in shock at how good he sounded on the call. I started looking into it and never looked back.
How many goose contests have you competed in over the years?
Lord, I have no clue! A heck of a lot. There is only a handful a year now but there were some every other weekend back in 2009.
Do you change your approach if there are particular judges on the board?
No, not really. Every caller has strengths and weaknesses and they start to develop a style Over the years that fits them. You just show up and do what you do and hope the judges like it. You learn to try and please what most judges would like to hear over time.
How has calling competitively helped your hunting?
Simply becoming much more proficient on a call will never hurt you in the field. Calling geese in the field is much less dramatic than a competition routine. But knowing you can run the call and sound as goosey as possible is never bad in the field.
What’s your most memorable moment from competition, other than winning the World Goose?
Probably the first time I won the Virginia state goose calling championship (my home state). Then it would be making the final stage and top 5 at the World Goose Calling Championship.
Do you have any words of wisdom for new competition callers or those trying to break through for that first “W”?
Sure do! Spend all the time you can on the call. The “sport” of competition calling is no different than any other. It is very competitive and takes time to get very good. Some are very talented and can get there quicker than others. The next thing is you have to compete! The attitude of “I am going to wait till I am good then start going to contest” never works. All of us that have achieved success in this took the whoopings for years but kept coming back to try and learn and test out our stuff on judges.
Are you already looking forward to defending in 2022?
I’m still soaking up the victory at this point! But yes, I do intend to continue to compete. I have met some of the best friends I have at the contests. And, at the end of the day, it’s still fun so I will continue to go!
Personally, I want to also congratulate Lee as he was the first person to welcome me at the championship contest that weekend, who is quick to give friendly advice and put in a heck of a performance to be the new World Goose Champion.