Hoopengarner on Outdoors
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W. Richland hunter finds his calling
It takes some doing to make an impression on the reticent fraternity of waterfowlers.
Joe Hanson, though, may have managed to do just that in a single day, perhaps earning a reputation that may last a lifetime of sunrises.
In his first attempt, the 29-year-old West Richland duck hunter stepped to the stage July 8 at the Washington State Duck Calling Championship in Mount Vernon during the Skagit County Waterfowl Festival and bagged second place.
"Not only was I shocked I came in second, I also felt lucky just to be in the contest. There are guys who have competed in this event for years," he said.
Not that any duck hunter with a call couldn't enter.
The contest is open to anyone willing to fork out the $25 entry fee and perform for five judges, all expert callers themselves. This year, only 10 were willing to give a shot.
The winner, Troy Taylor of Puyallup, who builds his own calls named the Taylor Talker, will compete in the world championship Thanksgiving weekend in Stuttgart, Ark. - the self-proclaimed rice and duck capital of the world. Third place went to Robert Strong of Kent.
Just in case you're tempted to enter, however, it's important to remember this isn't your typical weekend hunting duck calling.
To compete in the event, participants must perform the basics of calling ducks: The hail or highball, comeback, feeder and lonesome hen. In competition, however, the caller is attempting to sound as if he's working a flock of ducks, using the full repertoire of calls in 90 seconds. The result is a cacophony of sounds from the ringing crescendo of the highball to the staccato feeding chatter.
Hanson, who has been hunting waterfowl since high school, didn't seriously consider entering the event until this year.
"I've always wanted to compete in goose-calling competition, but there aren't any in Washington. But I knew there was an outlet for duck calling, so I decided to give it a try," he said.
Once Hanson made up his mind, he got on the Internet and did his homework on competition-style calling. He picked the brains of former judges and other calling champions. He also started practicing at least an hour a day on a raspy Arkansas-style single reed call from Steve Cook, who produces Giden Custom Calls. The single reed calls are well suited to competition calling because of their range, tone and ease of use.
Buoyed by his recent success, Hanson plans to manufacture acrylic duck calls he plans to name the Hanford Reacher. For more information on Hanson's calls, contact him via e-mail at jg@nwinfo.net or at 967-9010.
"My dream, I guess, would be to make custom calls and guide quality waterfowl hunting here in the Mid-Columbia," he said.
Hanson will share his waterfowling knowledge with young hunters Aug. 19 during a Richland Rod and Gun Club and Tri-City Chapter of Ducks Unlimited Greenwing duck banding event at McNary National Wildlife Refuge in Burbank.
The event, which teaches young people about the migratory habits of waterfowl and the importance of banding in waterfowl research, is scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. at the refuge headquarters, 600 Maple St., Burbank. For more information about the public event, call 582-2212.
Also, anyone who wants to hear Hanson blow his call and learn waterfowl hunting tips from other experts, should circle Sept. 23 on their calendar. That's National Hunting and Fishing Day, and Hole in the Wall in Kennewick will offer a waterfowl hunting seminar at the store, 7509 W. Deschutes Ave.
Also participating will be goose caller Andy Clark of Pasco. Besides the basics of duck and goose calling, information will be presented on equipment, decoys, decoy placement and blinds. Call 783-1111 for more information.
- Ken Hoopengarner has been the Herald's outdoor writer for 19 years. He can be reached at 582-1544 or via e-mail at khoopengarner@tri-cityherald.com
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