Dillon White, celebrates his California State Duck Calling Championship win with third-place finisher Anthony Wallace, far left, and second-place finisher Stuart McCullough on Aug. 30 in Colusa.

 

COLUSA, CA (MPG) – The sound of duck calls echoed through Memorial Park Aug. 29-30 as Colusa hosted the California State Duck Calling Championship and Waterfowl Expo, sending two competitors to the World’s Championship Duck Calling Contest.

Dillon White, 35, of Atwater captured the California State Duck Calling Championship on Sunday, earning the state title and a return trip to the world competition in Stuttgart, Arkansas. A cattleman by trade, White began competing in 2011 and previously qualified for the World’s Championship just once during his 15 years of competition.

“It’s been a while so I’m looking forward to going,” White said.

Weston Grunst, left, of Truckee was named the Intermediate Specklebelly Goose Calling Champion on Sunday, with Will Herrnberger placing second.

White said he did not prepare much leading up to the state contest but plans to change that before competing with top level callers.

“I’ll probably practice a lot more before I go to World's,” White said.

The 91st annual World’s Championship Duck Calling Contest will be held Nov. 28 as part of the Wings Over the Prairie Festival. Only winners of sanctioned state, regional and international contests qualify to compete for the world title.

Duck calling has been part of White’s life since childhood. Growing up on a ranch, he and his siblings learned to call while hunting with their father.

“My dad took us when I was four,” White said. “As soon as we could walk, he would pack us out there and that’s where we started to learn how to duck call.”

Waylon Elwess, front right, took first place and Luke Peterson, to his left, placed second in the Junior Specklebelly Goose Calling Contest Aug. 29 in Colusa. Both walked away double winners of sorts, with Elwess winning the Junior Duck Calling Contest and Peterson receiving special recognition for “owning the stage” during competition.

A day earlier, 23-year-old Ryan Huff of Los Banos won the Butte Sink Regional Duck Calling Championship, earning his first trip to the World’s Championship. Huff, also an avid hunter, first picked up a duck call when he was about 12, but the Butte Sink contest was only his third competition.

“I'm super pumped,” Huff said of the Thanksgiving weekend festival that attracts about 30,000 people each year. And his preparation is straightforward.

“Practice, practice, practice,” Huff said.

The Colusa event, sponsored by Kittle's Outdoor & Sport Co. since 2011 brings together competitive callers, families, hunters and outdoor enthusiasts from throughout the region and beyond.

Vendors filled Memorial Park with booths offering duck calls, apparel, hunting gear and other outdoor products, while conservation organizations provided information about their programs and efforts. Food vendors were also on hand throughout the weekend as spectators moved between the calling competition and expo.

The event also placed emphasis on younger callers, providing youth competitions that give children and teenagers an opportunity to take the same stage as experienced competitors and continue the tradition of competitive duck calling.

Vendors filled Memorial Park with duck calls, hunting gear, apparel and other outdoor products during the California State Duck Calling Championship and Waterfowl Expo Aug. 29-30 in Colusa.

Stuart McCullough, the 2025 World Senior Duck Call Champion and one of the sport’s most accomplished callers, once again served as master of ceremonies for the youth and intermediate duck and goose calling competitions. McCullough, the 2025 California State Duck Calling Champion, returned to defend his state title on Sunday and placed second behind White.

For McCullough, the youth events are the most important part of the weekend. He has been a strong advocate for introducing young people to hunting and calling and encouraging them to find mentors who can help them get started.

Waylon Elwess of Dairyville won the California State Junior Duck Calling Contest, with Anson Campbell placing second. Will Herrnberger took first place in the Intermediate competition, followed by Hank Hawes in second. Following a call-off to break a tie, Elwess also won the Junior Specklebelly Goose Calling Contest, with Luke Peterson placing second. The Intermediate Specklebelly Goose Calling Champion was Weston Grunst of Truckee, with Will Herrnberger placing second.

Finishers in the youth and adult divisions, which also included two-man competitions, received Kittle’s Outdoor & Sport Co. gift cards, plaques and gear. White and Huff each received $1,000 for winning the California State and Butte Sink championships to help with travel expenses for the world competition.  

McCullough will also return to Stuttgart this fall to defend his title, giving California three callers headed for the world competition.

“I’m very happy for Ryan and Dillon,” McCullough said. “Two really good quality callers are going to represent our state. I’m going to go back for the senior world again.”