Round 1:

Pool 1 - Friday, May 29, 10:00 am-10:30 am

Pool 2 - Friday, May 29, 11:00 am-11:30 am

Round 2:

Friday, May 29, 12:00 pm-12:30 pm

Championship Round:

Saturday, May 30, 10:00 am-12:00 pm

This year’s Duck Blind Cook-off consists of 8 two-person teams competing head-to-head in a tournament bracket-style competition. We will divide Round 1 into Pool 1 (4 teams) and Pool 2 (4 teams) — the two highest-scoring teams from each pool advance to Round 2. The two highest-scoring teams from Round 2 will compete head-to-head in the Championship Round on Saturday. 

We will give each team a blind bag full of ingredients (some normal and some not-so-normal), which they will have to use to produce a “duck blind breakfast” using the supplied groceries and portable flattop griddle. Teams are encouraged to provide their own cooking utensils and any special seasonings they care to use. The first two rounds will both have a different set of ingredients and other specifications. The time allotted is 30 minutes per round for the first two rounds and one hour for the final round. A panel of three judges will judge each round—on taste, presentations, and use of ingredients. The top two teams receive prizes.

The contest is invitation-only and limited to eight two-person teams. 

Do you have what it takes to bring home the title? 

Email blake@rntcalls.com before May 22, 2026.

Round 1 - Thursday, May 28, 7:30 am

4 hours each team - 15 minutes to set up and 15 minutes to clean up

• Team 1 enters the shop at 7:30, work time 7:45-11:45, and exit at 12:00
• Team 2 enters the shop at 12:00, work time 12:15-4:15, exit at 4:30

Round 2 - Friday, May 29, 7:30 am

4 hours for each team - 15 minutes to familiarize with the shop and 15 minutes to clean up

• Team 2 enters the shop at 7:30, work time 7:45-11:45, exit at 12:00
• Team 1 enters the shop at 12:00, work time 12:15-4:15, exit at 4:30

Round 3 - Saturday, May 30, 8:00 am

We will flip a coin for who goes first

2 hours for each team - 15 minutes to familiarize with the shop and 15 minutes to clean up

• Team 1 enters the shop at 8:00, work time 8:15-10:15, exit at 10:30
• Team 2 enters the shop at 10:45, work time 11:00-1:00, exit at 1:15
• **Two-man meat routines at 3:30 for an additional 50 points!**

Callmakers Build-off Detail | Rules:

Callapalooza Callmaker Build-off 2026

4-person teams will be working across 3 days to complete a trio of calls with specific criteria listed below.

Teams – 

1 – Captain Ivan Hess, Konrad Meinardus, Jesse Headid, Bob Wiseman

2 – Captain Mike Miller, Shawn Lynn, Logan Revolt, Keith Tucek

Call one – Mainstreet style call – scoring - 90% sound and 10% craftsmanship/embellishment?

- Call will be constructed from an acrylic blank supplied by RNT

- Overall call must measure 4.75 - 5.”

- Call must be in the shape/likeness of an RNT call (we are not looking for an exact replica, but the influence)

- Call insert should be a friction fit

- Call should be banded with metal

- Jig to be used will be revealed prior to the competition start

**** You will have a 2hr access to a guest main-street callmaker on Friday for help/consulting in final tuning of sound*******

Call two – Daisy Cutter sound – scoring - 70% sound and 30% checkering and embellishment (new style/skip line/smaller lpi)

- This call should have the sound characteristics of the “Daisy Cutter” - Raspy,No hail, just pure balls to the walls duck!!!!!

- This call can be sized similar in length and shape to the original Daisy Cutter (no exact replicas please). 

- Call will be made from Cocobola provided by RNT

- This call will be cut from a jig supplied by the team.

- Call insert should be friction fit

- Call must be banded with metal

- Call requires at least the barrel to be checkered (insert would be a plus)

- Calls may contain, but not require, any of the following elements: caps with inlay/ring, segmenting, cord wrap, stippling (not looking for carving or scrimshaw, main focus should be checkering)

- Calls can contain bone, antler, tusk or any substance that is not restricted by USFW

****No real ivory can be used in any portion of any call****

Call three – Cutdown style call – scoring - 70% sound and 30% checkering and embellishment (old style, flat top, wider lpi)

- This call can be sized any length but not in the exact “Olt style” shape. Can resemble an Olt but team should be creative in design/shape and allow for checkering

- Call will be made from African Blackwood provided by RNT

- Call insert should be friction fit (cutdown style)

- Call can be banded but not required

- Teams will use a public cutdown jig that will be provided

- Call requires at least the barrel to be checkered (insert would be a plus)

- Calls may contain, but not required, any of the following elements: caps with inlay/ring, segmenting, cord wrap, stippling (not looking for carving or scrimshaw, main focus should be checkering)

- Calls can contain bone, antler, tusk or any substance that is not restricted by USFW

****No real ivory can be used in any portion of any call****

“Daisy Cutter” and cutdown calls made will be used to blow a 60 second meat routine for a possible extra 50 points. Two team members are required to perform in this routine.

The main-street call……we will have an “old school” champion and a newer champion to blow a main-street routine for an additional 50 points.

Working hours

- Thursday - 4hours each team - 15 minutes to set up and 15 to clean up

- Team 1 enter shop at 7:30, work time 7:45-11:45, exit at 12:00

- Team 2 enter shop at 12:00, work time 12:15-4:15, exit at 4:30

- Friday - 4hours each team - 15 minutes to familiarize with the shop and 15 to clean up

- Team 2 enter shop at 7:30, work time 7:45-11:45, exit at 12:00

- Team 1 enter shop at 12:00, work time 12:15-4:15, exit at 4:30

For Saturday, we will flip a coin for who goes first

- Saturday – 2 hours each team - 15 minutes to familiarize with the shop and 15 to clean up

- Team 1 enter shop at 8:00, work time 8:15-10:15, exit at 10:30

- Team 2 enter shop at 10:45, work time 11:00-1:00, exit at 1:15

- Two man meat routines at 3:30 for an additional 50 points!!!!!

- Mainstreet routines to start immediately after for an additional 50 points!!!!!!

******Build-off coordinator or RNT can choose to throw a curveball or two at any point during the competition*******

Open May 29 - May 31

Thursday & Friday 11-5

Saturday 11-7

Menu:

• Gumbo Fries 

• Burger 

• Chicken Sandwich

• Corndog Basket

Friday, May 29, 5:30 - 9:30 pm

Come out and enjoy a celebration of the art of call-making with our "Pins, and  Pints" night. Whether you are a returning guest from past Callapalooza events or have never been, this is the perfect event to see what Callapalooza has to offer. Tickets are not required to attend “Pins and  Pints", but are required to receive the “Pins and Pints Package”.

The package includes:

• One 16 ounce Beer or beverage of choice
• Flying Duck Pint Glass- Butch Richenback
• Limited edition Butch Richenback Pinback 
• Live music from the lot - 5:30-6:30 pm & 7-8 pm
• Legit Philly Cheesesteak - Shaved Ribeye, Pilsner Onions, Cheese Sauce, Toasted Roll

Attention Callmakers, Collectors, and Vendors attending Callapalooza, we encourage all to create pins unique to you or your brand, and bring them to our “Pins and Pints” event to sell or trade with other Callmakers. Collectors, and Vendors. We expect this to be an annual event, where we can all gather with like-minded individuals and celebrate the Art of Callmaking. What better way to celebrate than acquiring personal mementos from fellow call makers and collectors, while enjoying Flying Duck craft beer and food from “Brood & Barley.” Listed below are a few pin manufacturers we recommend:

www.wizardpins.com

www.stickermule.com

Presale tickets end on Wednesday, May 27th. There will be a limited number of tickets available on the day of the event (Friday, May 29) starting at 5:30 pm — first come first serve. Be here early once those tickets sell out, there will be no more.

Now Part of Callapalooza 2026

Scoring Begins Saturday, May 30, 10 am (estimated 4-hour process)

For the 2nd year, the Callapalooza Tribute Classic will be hosted during Callapalooza — bringing one of the finest handmade duck call competitions into the heart of our annual celebration.

This year’s Tribute honors the legacy of the late Butch Richenback, a pioneer in waterfowl callmaking. This is your chance to showcase your craftsmanship, pay tribute to a legend, and compete alongside the best callmakers in the game.

There are four divisions you can enter:

• Tribute Wood
  
  
• Tribute Acrylic
  
  
• Tribute Open
  
  
• Callmakers Choice Open
  
  

Each call is judged by seasoned hunters across categories like tone quality, craftsmanship, feed, and finish. Prizes include cash, ribbons, and the ultimate title: Callmaker of the Year, along with the Butch Richenback Cup.

• Only one call per division can be submitted.
• Entry fee: $40 per call – includes return shipping.
• Mail-in Deadline: Thursday, May 28, 2026
• On-site Hand-delivery Deadline: Friday, May 29, 2026 by 5:00 PM

👉 View full details and purchase entries