The first split in Arkansas 2016-2017 duck season has come and gone and for most, it was a struggle as mild temperatures and lack of water got things off to a slow start. Decent number of ducks were in the state given the lack of cold weather here and through the upper midwest but were concentrated on large reservoirs and flooded timber tracts as their need to feed kept them consistently out of the fields.
The break in the season couldn’t come at a better time as colder weather is expected to streak through the flyway later this week and bringing some precipitation with it. A little colder weather and a lot more water should get the second season off on the right foot.
81st Annual World’s Championship Duck Calling Contest and Wings Over the Prairie Festival
The Stuttgart Chamber of Commerce hosted the festival over the extended Thanksgiving weekend with perfect outdoor event weather that brought out large crowds.
World’s Championship Duck Calling Contest
- Winner Phil Green II, Weiner, AR (Echo Duck Calls)
- First runner-up Domingo Sanchez (Totally Obsessed Calls)
- Second runner-up Jonathan Mortin (Echo Duck Calls)
- Third runner-up David St. John (Echo Duck Calls)
- Fourth runner-up Ben Burgess
- Fifth runner-up Tyler Merritt (Echo Duck Calls)
- Sixth runner-up Lawrence Mauck (RNT Calls)
- Seventh runner-up Dan Goetz (MND Custom Calls)
- Eighth runner-up Preston Ellis (Echo Duck Calls)
- Ninth runner-up Tyler Breashears (C’Mon Calls)
- Tenth runner-up Brent Calhoun (Echo Duck Calls)
Women’s World CHampionship Duck Calling Contest
- Winner Kelsi Mashburn
- First runner-up Lana VanWinkle
- Second runner-up Magen Sojourner
- Third runner-up Madison Heftin
Junior World’s Championship Duck Calling Contest
- Winner Finley Jones III
- First runner-up Alex Gilingham
- Julia Ryan
- Bronson Lasley
Last Chance Regional Duck Calling Contest
- Winner Daniel Duke
- First runner-up Drake Butler
- Second runner-up Stephen Saranie
- Third runner-up Matt Richardson
Intermediate World’s Championship Duck Calling Contest
- Winner Cody Severe
- First runner-up Mason Trait
- Second runner-up Dalton Whitley
- Third runner-up Jake Wisner
Arkansas State Duck Calling Contest
- Winner Brent Calhoun
- First runner-up Carl Lamb
- Second runner-up Matt Richardson
- Third runner-up Trey Morris
Chick and Sophie Major Memorial Scholarship Duck Calling Contest
- Winner Chase Wall
- First runner-up Hunter Hickingbothom
- Second runner-up Kelsi Mashburn
- Third runner-up Hunter Lawrence
Queen Mallard Pageant
Queen Mallard LXI is Whitney Shay Tull, granddaughter of Linda and Dale Tull. She is a 16-year-old junior at Stuttgart High School.
36th Annual World’s Championship Duck Gumbo Cookoff
- Winner: WickedAss Gumbo, Head Cook – Erle Hammons
- 2nd Place: Bayou Meto Nate’s Gumbo, Head Cook – Fred Davis
- 3rd Place: The Flockers, Head Cook – Gene Prislovsky
- Best Booth: Lonesome Duck, Head Cook – RJ Horner
For more news and photos, please visit the Wings Over the Prairie on Facebook.
