Kiwis set a quacking pace at World Waterfowl Calling

Hunter Morrow, of Luggate, competes at the World Waterfowl Calling championships at the weekend. He came second in the duck and third in the goose calling. Photo / Hunter Morrow

New Zealand's winning form at the World Waterfowl Calling Championships in the United States over the weekend has been compared to that of the All Blacks.

Reigning New Zealand champion Hunter Morrow (22), of Luggate, came second in the open duck division and third in the live goose calling.

New Zealand junior champion Holly Irvine (13), of Nelson, took third place in the world duck calling division.

Fish and Game communications manager Don Rood said the championships were ``huge in the United States and Canada.''

"Winning in such a tough environment in front of a live crowd says much about their dedication and skills.

"They have been great ambassadors for New Zealand on the world stage. Perhaps we should dub them the 'Call Blacks', or perhaps the 'Black Quacks','' he said.

New Zealand championships organiser Adam Rayner described it as an "absolutely amazing result''.

"Hunter's placing was the highest ever by a Kiwi, while Holly was the only female competitor and one of the youngest ... at the world championships,'' he said.

A duck caller uses a wind instrument to imitate the sound of the birds.

Mr Raynor said Mr Morrow spends more time practising his duck call instrument than anything else.

He said he was very "detailed in his approach'' and listened intently to everybody else around the world in the top 10, worked out what they were doing right and what they were doing wrong and adjusted his call accordingly.

Mr Morrow has won the New Zealand duck calling supreme title three times and in the past two world championships made it into the top five.

Both Mr Morrow and Holly have vowed to return to the world waterfowl calling championships next year. Mr Morrow hopes to be world champion and Holly to win the junior division.

kerrie.waterworth@odt.co.nz