Without a doubt Dive Bomb Industries just put on what has been one of the largest waterfowl contests, expos, and overall events in recent history with their first-ever “SquadFest”. With packed crowds and multiple different vendors, it was more than a nice escape for people to get away from the pandemic that has shut down so many different events around the nation. Everyone in the waterfowling community owes a HUGE thank you to Dive Bomb for putting on such a fantastic event. Whether you were there in person to take it all in, or only able to see it from the live streams on social media, it was clear to see the amazing turnout they had. Undoubtedly, this will be a huge event moving forward.
The thing that I find most encouraging is the contest calling. While so many people in the calling contest world see contests falling by the wayside, Dive Bomb went out and proved that there still is some air in the lungs of contest calling. Starting on Friday and going into Saturday, SquadFest held 7 contests, opening with a loaded 2-man meat duck, and finishing with an extremely impressive junior goose. Proving that the world of contest calling still has a bright future, so long as it’s still taken care of and contests are still put on and offered to compete in.
Each contest had multiple participants, making cuts for each round, turning every round into a highly competitive contest, which yielded high payouts from very generous donors and an even more generous Dive Bomb Industries. This brings up the point- contest calling is still alive and well, contrary to popular belief. We just have to foster the notion that we need more people to step up and give these contestants more chances to compete. The callers are out there, now we just need a stage for them to compete on!
No, it’s not the 70’s or 80’s when each contest had 50 or more callers, but SquadFest proved that even though there may not be the huge number of callers like there used to, there’s still great events and large numbers of callers willing to get out and participate. The open goose contest had 15 contestants ranging from Minnesota to Florida, to Montana. Not to mention the many different states the duck callers ranged from.
This contest should prove that there are talented hunters all around the country with the mindset of “have call, will travel” so long as there are contests to travel to. So to the outdoor stores, the hunting festivals, outdoors lodges, take a hint from Dive Bomb; advertise a quality event, and people will come. Bounce back from 2020 by bringing back quality contests. There are young and talented callers all over that are eager and ready to compete. You saw the big names at SquadFest, just think of turnout from the younger group of callers looking to get into the ranks. Contests like this should prove that competitive waterfowl calling isn’t gone yet, and with strong enough backing from people willing to support, we can get contest calling back on the map.
Dive Bomb stepped up in a huge way and gave the contest calling world a huge shot in the arm to move in the right direction. Stepping into the light as a top contest, right along with Presleys and even Rogers. So here’s an invitation to all other sporting good stores- step up and give these callers a stage! It was proved at SquadFest that the callers will come, you just have to give them the chance to compete. No, you don’t need to be giving away Alaskan sea duck hunts (though that would be nice), you simply need to give these contestants a stage, a light, and the judges behind the curtain. You’ll get the callers. It may not be the best of the best at first, but as things grow, you’ll start to see the high-caliber callers on the registration list.
Contest calling is in better shape than people think. Just give these contestants a place to compete, and you’ll see.
