Two Missourians were among the winners in a contest where the world’s best wild turkey callers battled for state pride, bragging rights and more than $25,000 in cash and prizes. The event was the National Wild Turkey Federation’s Grand National Calling Contest Championships, held at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center in Nashville, Tenn., Feb. 20 to Feb. 22.

2009 Grand National Calling Contest Champions
*Senior Division: Jim Pollard Charleston, Ark.
*Friction Division: Sadler McGraw Camden, Ala.
*Team Challenge Division: Chris Parrish & Rod Pettit Centralia, Mo. & Olathe, Kan.
*Rare Breed/Champion of Champions Division: Mark Prudhomme Georgetown, S.C.
*Gobbling Division: Stephan Richardson, Springdale, Ark.
*Owl Hooting: James Harrison Hillsboro, Mo.

2009 Youth Grand National Calling Contest Champions
*Intermediate Division: Dakota Clouser Danville, Pa.
*Junior Division: Cory Hoone Smithfield, Pa.
*Poults Division: Lewis Armistead Pleasant Shade, Tenn.

In the turkey call maker competetion, Niles Oesterle, Dardenne Prairie, Mo., was named 2009 Grand National Champion Hunting Turkey Call Maker of the Year and also won the Gibson award, which recognizes the best-sounding box turkey call and box call maker and is named in honor of Henry Gibson, who patented the first box call in 1897.

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