Call of the wild: Tauranga to host NZ Duck Calling Champs

The hunt is on for New Zealand's best duck caller as Tauranga plays host to the national championships this weekend.

Duck callers young and old will gather at Loaded NZ for the New Zealand Duck Calling Championships tomorrow to compete for the glory and to represent New Zealand in America.

Organiser Adam Rayner said the national finals were traditionally held in the South Island but he was keen to take charge of the competition and bring it to the Bay. He was also keen to invite anyone to the adventure park to watch the shooting and calling.

"A lot of people see it as those rednecks driving around in a pick up truck blasting shot guns," Mr Rayner said.

"We are not those rednecks. We are doctors, lawyers, own our own businesses. I'm a paramedic. There's all sorts of people that get into this sport. I want to change the perception.

"For me the whole goal is introducing children or young people to the sport. When I was a kid I used to go with my father and uncle out to maimais and I would hear their stories, see my family doing something they really, really enjoy. I've learned so much. I've learned about conservation, nature, how to provide meat for my family. These things for me are hugely underrated."

The 20 competitors will include 10-year-old Luke Spargo from Greenpark School and 14-year-old Holly Irvine from Richmond as well as Wanaka's Hunter Morrow who was fifth in the world championships last year.

We are not those rednecks. We are doctors, lawyers, own our own businesses. I'm a paramedic. There's all sorts of people that get into this sport. I want to change the perception.

Adam Rayner

Mr Rayner ran the regional championships last year and when the spot came up to organise this year's nationals, he was dead keen. While anyone could take part in the sport, it required a lot of skill, he said.

"You are trying to lure a wild animal to you with a woodwind instrument so you have to be good at that. Then there's using the right shotgun, the right ammunition, making sure you are shooting the gun properly."

Mr Rayner said the New Zealand championships had been around for about 20 years but only became formal about four years ago "when we sent our first finalist to America".

Part of this year's winner's prize is the trip to the American national championships which offers a first prize of US$10,000 ($13,900). Fish & Game New Zealand's John Meikle, who is one of the judges, said events such as duck calling had a role in helping to inspire less experienced hunters to become proficient in a skill vital for successful duck hunting.

"Duck calling is an important part of duck hunting culture and a key skill we are pleased to help promote."

- The event is run by volunteers at Loaded NZ, 1096 Taumata Rd, off Pyes Pa Rd from 2pm tomorrow.