NASHVILLE, Tenn.— Shane Hendershot of Zanesville, Ohio, became the new Senior Division Wild Turkey Bourbon/National Wild Turkey Federation Grand National Calling Champion, knocking off two-time winner Matt Van Cise. "I can’t put into words how it feels, but it’s awesome," said Hendershot. "This is only my second time here and this year I told my dad and them that I was going to make the top five. It’s taken me eight years of solid practice to get here and a lot of competitions." In addition to a trophy, he also won a championship ring and $5,000 for his efforts at the NWTF’s 31st annual Convention and Sport Show in Nashville, Tenn., Feb. 23-25. Van Cise, the reigning world champion turkey caller, placed second. The 71 contestants earned their way into the competition by winning NWTF-sanctioned turkey calling contests. The nation’s top turkey callers took their best shot at imitating the sounds of the wild turkey. “These callers are dedicated to what they do,” said NWTF CEO Rob Keck. “They practice all year and travel to compete in qualifying contests. These championships allow the top callers to be rewarded and recognized for their dedication and talent.” Champions named in other calling divisions Proving to be a true champion, Preston Pittman of Petal, Miss., was named The Rare Breed Champion of Champions. This elite category consists of past Grand National Senior Champions, past World Open Division Champions, or past Natural Voice World Champions. “This was the second time I’ve won this competition and it feels great,” said Pittman. “To be in the champion of champions division is one of the highest honors to be calling among some of the best callers in the world.” Champion of Champions contestants were judged on their performance of a medley of different turkey sounds and use of different types of calls. Pittman received a trophy and $1,500. The 2007 Wild Turkey Bourbon/National Wild Turkey Federation Grand National Team Challenge Calling Championships went to Doug Benefield of Newnan, Ga., and Daymon Davis of Danville, Pa. They split $3,000 in prize money. “I enjoy the team challenge competition because we’re able to throw in some subtle calling and play out the scenes as if you’re in the turkey woods,” said Davis. “Benefield is a great caller and we blended well together.” Contestants were given three actual hunting situations — lone gobbler, locate and scatter a flock and gobbler sound off. They were also required to perform a series of compulsory calls. The winners were scored based on completion of required calls, realistic wild turkey sound and cadence, quality and precision and creativity. Rewarded for mimicking the sounds of the barred owl, Dale Palmer of Harrisburg, Ill., took home the first place trophy in the Owl Hooting Championship. Contestants were judged on their ability to make the sound of a barred owl. Because owls and turkeys are natural enemies, an owl sound is often used to make a wild turkey tom gobble. Scott Wilhelm of Altoona, Wis., won the 2007 Wild Turkey Bourbon/National Wild Turkey Federation Grand National Gobbling Contest. Contestants mimicked the courtship sounds, or gobbles, of the male wild turkey. During the Friday night dinner, convention-goers were treated to the Spit, Drum and Gobbling Contest, a light-hearted competition where contestants mimic the sounds and gestures of the wild turkey tom. Last year’s winner, Preston Pittman of Petal, Miss., again won the hearts of the crowd and the judges. Spit, Drum and Gobbling contestants were judged by a panel of four celebrity judges on their ability to imitate the natural sounds of the wild turkey and the entertainment value of their show. Judging the contest was Wild Turkey Bourbon master distiller Jimmy Russell, Realtree’s David Blanton, Trebark founder Jim Crumley, and Wheelin’ Sportsmen national spokesmen Dana Bowman. Wild Turkey Bourbon has sponsored the calling championships since 1994. For more information about calling contest results, the NWTF or the 2008 Wild Turkey Bourbon/NWTF Grand National Calling Championships to be held in Atlanta, Ga., February 22-25, visit
