Round 1:

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

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

Round 2:

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

Championship Round:

Saturday, May 31, 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 23, 2025.

Round 1 - Thursday, May 29, 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 30, 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 31, 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:

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

Teams:

Team 1 – Farrel Charpentier, Ryan Roosa, Laura Tuetkin, and Dax Piper

Team 2 – Tobin Copeland, Rob Protzman, Grant McDougald, and Kristen Hardee

**You will have access to a guest call-maker for a single 2-hour period, but you can choose day one or two**

Call one: 

 Scoring - 70% creativity/embellishment/craftsmanship and 30% sound.

• Call will be constructed from any walnut blank the team presents, but must be un-modified until competition begins. Build-off coordinator will inspect prior to any work starting.
• Overall call must measure between 5.25-7” long
• Call must be in the shape/likeness of an O.K. “Pop” Pickle call (examples below)
• Call insert should be friction fit and can be sleeved, but not required (sleeve material can be wood only), no precut tennons, all parts must be turned onsite during the competition
• Toneboard style and jig will be revealed just prior to competition start as well as reed material will be supplied.
• Call should not be banded
• Call must contain 3 of the following elements: 
• Caps with inlay/ring, scrimshaw, checkering, painting, wood-burn, segmenting, cord wrap, stippling, or carving
• Calls can contain bone, antler, tusk or any substance that is not restricted by the USFW
• **No real ivory can be used in any portion of the call**

Call two:

 Scoring - 70% sound / 30% creativity/embellishment/craftsmanship

• This call can be sized any length but also in the shape/likeness of an O.K. “Pop” Pickle call. This call will be cut from a jig that will be supplied by the competition.
• Call will be made from the wood provided by the competition
• Call insert should be friction fit and can be sleeved, but not required (sleeve material can be wood only), no precut tennons, all parts must be turned onsite during the competition
• Call should not be banded
• Calls must contain one of the following elements: 
• Caps with inlay/ring, scrimshaw, checkering, painting, wood-burn, segmenting, cord wrap, stippling, or carving
• Calls can contain bone, antler, tusk, or any substance that is not restricted by the USFW
• **No real ivory can be used in any portion of the call**
• Only turning tools to be used on this call are those on John’s shop wall

 Both calls made will be used to blow a 60-second meat routine for a possible extra 50 points. One team member is required to perform in this routine, and a second member can participate, or there will be a “bull pen” of competition callers to choose from. 

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

The contest is limited to 8 competitors and is by invitation only.

Open May 29 - May 31

Thursday 11-4

Friday and Saturday 11-8

Menu:

• Gumbo Fries - Crispy fries topped with house crawfish gumbo, sour cream, and green onion $13

• Shake Fries - Crispy fries tossed in RNT's own "shake seasoning" $5

• Arco Arancini - Fried rice ball, cheese, and crawfish with 2 bayou sauce $12

• Daisy Cutter - Gator sausage, red slaw, and 2 bayou sauce $11

• Chile Shrimp Street Dip - Creamy shrimp parmesan dip, house spiced tortilla chips, and jalapenos. $12

• Grand Prairie Hot Chicken Sandwich - Fried Chicken, spicy house secret spice, bird dog sauce, and pickles $12

Friday, May 30, 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- Pop Pickle
• Limited edition Pop Pickle Pinback 
• Live music from the lot - 5:30-6:30 pm & 7-8 pm
• Legit Philly Cheesesteak Sandwich plus side by Brood & Barley

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 28th. There will be a limited number of tickets available on the day of the event (Friday, May 30) 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 2025

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

For the first time, 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 Clifton “Wayne” Betts of Betts Game Calls, 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: Monday, May 26, 2025
• On-site Hand-delivery Deadline: Friday, May 30, 2025 by 10:00 AM

👉 View full details and purchase entries