AURELIUS - The chorus of quacks coming from Bass Pro Shops' goose calling contest Sunday could probably be heard for miles around.
But competitive calling is much different than what hunters do in the field.
"With contest routines, you're calling the judges, not geese," said Jason McKeen of Auburn, who took first place in Sunday's contest.
McKeen has been perfecting his calls since he was 15. He's taken it to a competitive level, placing third in last year's Empire State Goose Calling Contest.
"I kind of became a fanatic at it," he said. "I always liked the sound of geese and wanted to hunt them."
Callers went through a routine of fluctuations in pitch and volume they would do to attract a flock of geese.
Like fine musical instruments, not all goose calls are created equal. There are several kinds, including short reed and flute varieties. But most of them use a reed to create that distinct goose honk.
"It's like blowing a saxophone reed," McKeen said.
As part of the Bass Pro Shops' Fall Hunting Classic, free seminars were offered to teach shoppers everything from waterfowl calling to bowhunting. Nine-year-old Mitchell Thurston of Union Springs competed in his first goose calling contest Sunday after only a week of practice. He placed third in the youth competition.
"I'm not old enough to shoot, so I thought I'd try the calls," he said.
His dad, Richard, used to hunt and wants to get his family back into it. "Now the kids are getting older and are taking an interest in it," he said.
Mitchell's practice has been persistent so far. "He's been blowing that thing all week," Richard said.
With anything, practice is necessary to get really good at goose calling, said Jason Barnes of Frontenac Fowlers Guide Service.
"You can give them the pointers, but it takes practice," he said.
Barnes, who lives in Union Springs, helps hunters hone their skills when his guide service takes them out into the field. He's sure to show them safety and the best places in the area to hunt.
"It's like having a guaranteed hunting partner on the weekend," he said.
Sunday's competition helped gear up area hunters for the waterfowl season, which peaks in late November or early December, then again in late December or early January.
Hunting has been a lifelong passion for Barnes. The lanyard he hangs his calls from was adorned with dozens of metallic bands with numbers of different birds he's shot. The state Department of Environmental Conservation bands birds to track their migration.
Hunters who call in the birds after they are shot can keep the bands. Many hunters can go for years without shooting a banded bird.
"When they do shoot one, it's like jewelry," Barnes said. "It's like a trophy for the guys to have one."
Staff writer Liz Hacken can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 267 or elizabeth.hacken@lee.net
"With contest routines, you're calling the judges, not geese," said Jason McKeen of Auburn, who took first place in Sunday's contest.
McKeen has been perfecting his calls since he was 15. He's taken it to a competitive level, placing third in last year's Empire State Goose Calling Contest.
"I kind of became a fanatic at it," he said. "I always liked the sound of geese and wanted to hunt them."
Callers went through a routine of fluctuations in pitch and volume they would do to attract a flock of geese.
Like fine musical instruments, not all goose calls are created equal. There are several kinds, including short reed and flute varieties. But most of them use a reed to create that distinct goose honk.
"It's like blowing a saxophone reed," McKeen said.
As part of the Bass Pro Shops' Fall Hunting Classic, free seminars were offered to teach shoppers everything from waterfowl calling to bowhunting. Nine-year-old Mitchell Thurston of Union Springs competed in his first goose calling contest Sunday after only a week of practice. He placed third in the youth competition.
"I'm not old enough to shoot, so I thought I'd try the calls," he said.
His dad, Richard, used to hunt and wants to get his family back into it. "Now the kids are getting older and are taking an interest in it," he said.
Mitchell's practice has been persistent so far. "He's been blowing that thing all week," Richard said.
With anything, practice is necessary to get really good at goose calling, said Jason Barnes of Frontenac Fowlers Guide Service.
"You can give them the pointers, but it takes practice," he said.
Barnes, who lives in Union Springs, helps hunters hone their skills when his guide service takes them out into the field. He's sure to show them safety and the best places in the area to hunt.
"It's like having a guaranteed hunting partner on the weekend," he said.
Sunday's competition helped gear up area hunters for the waterfowl season, which peaks in late November or early December, then again in late December or early January.
Hunting has been a lifelong passion for Barnes. The lanyard he hangs his calls from was adorned with dozens of metallic bands with numbers of different birds he's shot. The state Department of Environmental Conservation bands birds to track their migration.
Hunters who call in the birds after they are shot can keep the bands. Many hunters can go for years without shooting a banded bird.
"When they do shoot one, it's like jewelry," Barnes said. "It's like a trophy for the guys to have one."
Staff writer Liz Hacken can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 267 or elizabeth.hacken@lee.net