EDGEFIELD, S.C. — To welcome wild turkey hunting season, turkey callers tested their clucks, purrs and gobbles in the first ever wild turkey calling contest hosted by Cabela's and sanctioned by the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) in Maine.

Onlookers gathered at the Cabela's retail store in Scarborough, Maine, to hear the dynamic turkey talk from contestants of various skill levels and ages including youth.

Five expert judges determined the winners, who will go on to vie for the state calling title in the Maine State Championship later this year. The Maine champion may qualify to compete against other state championship callers in the national calling championship during the NWTF's National Convention and Sport Show in February of 2011.

Tyler Fenderson, 10, of Kennebunk, Maine, demonstrated the calling ability of a seasoned veteran and came away with the junior division win.

Men's Open Division winners: Phil Salzano of Hartland, VT, and Turkey Hunting 24/7 Pro Staff, takes First Place, Ken Jones of Proctor, VT places Second, with Nick Smith of Bomoseen, VT placing Third.
Photo by: Author

Volunteers from Cabela's, Double D Guide Service, Outdoor Adventure Company Guide Service and Quaker Boy Game Calls, NWTF's Covered Bridge (Maine) Chapter, York County Beards & Spurs (Maine) Chapter, Maine State Chapter and Seacoast (New Hampshire) Chapter helped with the event.

The NWTF is a nonprofit conservation organization that works daily to further its mission of conserving the wild turkey and preserving our hunting heritage.

Through dynamic partnerships with state, federal and provincial wildlife agencies, the NWTF and its members have helped restore wild turkey populations across the country, spending more than $306 million to conserve 14 million acres of habitat for all types of wildlife.