The Fowl Life team recently hit the road and made a memorable stop between filming destinations in the heart of waterfowl paradise, the duck capital of the world, Stuttgart, Arkansas. We were blessed and thrilled to attend the 88th world championship duck calling competition with our good friends from Benelli, Jack Daniels, and Sig Sauer and hunt the notorious Arkansas flooded timber together.

One of our first stops was to everyone’s favorite place to shop and dream: Mack's Prairie Wings, where our passion for waterfowl hunting comes to life. From the World Championship Duck Calling Contest to the quieter seasons, Mack's is our haven, and it has played a crucial role in propelling some of the industry's best brands to success. Mack’s support of Banded, Avery, Avery Sporting Dog, GHG, Jargon, and TFL is one of our brands' most coveted and exciting partnerships with retailers. We are proud to be a part of the Mack’s experience and grateful for them and everything they do for the waterfowl industry!

Next stop, Main Street!

Having spent a good chunk of my life knee-deep in marshes and hiding below grassy blinds watching the sun come up, the World Championship Duck Calling Contest in Stuttgart isn't just another event on the calendar. For people like you and me, it's a reunion with the community we've been part of for as long as I can remember and a celebration of this life.

But you can’t talk about Worlds without mentioning the Duck Gumbo Cook-Off Party! This party is a culinary showdown that sets the stage for the grandeur of the World Championship Duck Calling Contest finals, where more than 50 teams compete for bragging rights to “The World’s Best Gumbo.”

This infamous pre-finals party is a feast fit for the kings of the marsh, and we were not about to miss out. The atmosphere was thick with the scent of slow-cooked duck and spices and the excitement of seeing old friends again, ready to watch the world finals together. Amidst the sea of camo and the buzz of laughter and hunting stories, we were all there for the same reason: to savor the essence of tradition and the rugged authenticity that defines the waterfowl world. After boat paddles and stickers, as the sun started to dip and our taste buds were satisfied by the perfection of Jack Daniel’s cocktails and samples of the world’s best gumbo, we made our way to the main stage.

Main Street, with its familiar faces and the buzz of excited energy, became the backdrop for another night that would be etched into the pages of waterfowl hunting history.

Well-worn boots and the echoes of Benelli blasts are our usual daily companions this time of year. Still, standing on Main Street, surrounded by our fellow duck hunters, it feels like you are in the midst of family- folks who understand the dedication, passion, and lifestyle of chasing waterfowl the way we do. We snacked on some of the world’s best street noodles and soaked in the first two rounds of the world’s competition.

The women’s and men’s finals are always an honor to experience in person. These aren't just impressive calls; they are the soulful expressions of seasoned hunters who've practiced for countless hours and found themselves at home on endless cold fronts, windy boat rides, decoying wary ducks, and making hunting a part of their identity. These callers represent our entire lifestyle as they stand yearly in solidarity with a community that goes back generations despite obstacles, pushback, and an ever-changing world.

The callers who took the stage last weekend were storytellers. Listening to them spit duck dialects only true waterfowlers can understand and appreciate. The quacks, chatters, and comeback calls gave a nod to the unspoken camaraderie among those who've spent countless hours pursuing waterfowl.

When the winners were announced, Main Street exploded in cheers, and we shared the joy of victory. These are the representatives of our way of life, carrying the torch for the blue-collar folks who've dedicated their lives to keeping the flame of waterfowl hunting alive.

Congratulations to all of this year’s winners! We cannot wait for next year already!

Next week, I'll share some of the best-kept secrets for our duck camp recipes and our experience in Arkansas's flooded timber! Until then, Keep Talkin'!