Friendly Competition

EDITOR'S NOTE: Twenty-eight-year-old Michael Waddell of Columbus, Georgia, a longtime avid hunter of all game species, produces "Realtree Outdoors" T.V. shows and videos.

Question: When did you start competing in turkey-calling competitions?
Answer: I started competing when I was 19 years old. I met Bill Jordan, the creator of Realtree, at a turkey-calling competition, and he got me a job within the hunting industry.

Question: What have you won as a turkey caller?
Answer: I've won the Grand America, the Georgia State and the World Championship Two-Man Team with Ricky Joe Bishop. I won the Grand Nationals in 1997 and the Two-Man Team Championship. In 2001, we won the Two-Man Team Grand National Championship Team Challenge. I haven't won a lot of the big major contests. I got lucky and placed third in the U.S. Open in the spring of 2001. I place in the top five calls consistently.

Question: Why do you like competing in two-man team competitions?
Answer: I enjoy competing with Ricky Joe Bishop because we're from the same hometown, and we've hunted together for years. He's a more successful turkey hunter than I am, so I've learned a lot from him. We call similar in some ways. The contest is fun because it gives me an opportunity to be woodsy. I enjoy competing in the two-man competition whether I win or lose. I enjoy acting like a fool or a turkey -- particularly since turkey-calling contest organizers have put a little money in the pot as well.

Question: What's your strength? What's your best call?
Answer: I think my strength is in my yelping. Ricky Joe has a great yelp and he also cackles, clucks and purrs well. When calling during a two-man team competition, we use all our calls. You must call consistently to score high in these competitions. If you perform a really good yelp, but you make a poor cackle, you won't score well. If you perform a pretty good cackle, a pretty good kee kee, a pretty good yelp and a pretty good purr, then you've performed consistently, and you'll most likely score well. As long as you call consistently, produce good turkey rhythm and quality tones, then you'll score well.

Question: Why do you think you and your partner make the best team?
Answer: I've known him forever and we work well together. We can play off each other because we are familiar with each other's style.

To learn more about turkey hunting, you can order John E. Phillips' three turkey-hunting books by calling (800) 627-4295. Click on Books on Night Hawk's home page to learn more.

TOMORROW: GANGING UP ON TURKEYS