In the world of turkey calling, a Pennsylvania man is the new king. Matt Van Cise of Brookville won the 2008 U.S. Open Turkey Calling Contest, held recently at the Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World store in Nashville, Tennessee. His efforts netted $5,000 in cash, a $500 Mossy Oak clothing package, an automatic entry to the finals of the 2009 contest, and an expense-paid trip to next year’s finals and to the 2009 National Convention of the National Wild Turkey Federation.
Sadler McGraw of Camden, Alabama, called in for second place, earning $2,500, a $250 clothing package and a $500 Bass Pro Shops gift card. Billy Yargus of Ewing, Missouri, was the third-place caller, taking home $1,500, a $150 Mossy Oak clothing package and a $400 Bass Pro Shops gift card.
Contestants were selected during qualifying rounds at the Bass Pro Shops locations in Pearl, Mississippi; Orlando, Florida; Prattville, Alabama; Nashville and Sevierville, Tennessee; Clarksville, Indiana; Springfield and St. Louis, Missouri; and Charlotte, North Carolina. The winners of the qualifying rounds received paid travel and hotel accommodations to attend the finals in Nashville.
Sponsors of the 2008 contest were Mossy Oak, Quaker Boy Game Calls and Bass Pro Shops.
“This U.S. Open contest was truly one of the best contest I have ever attended,” says George Davis, a Quaker Boy pro staff member. “Over the last several years, Bass Pro Shops has taken this contest to new heights making it one of the most prestigious national calling events. It was an honor to be a part of it.”