In a day when $150, mass produced, acrylic duck and goose calls are as much of a social symbal as they are a tool for harvesting waterfowl, it's refreshing to see one call maker representing our waterfowling roots. Made from exotic woods from all over the world, Mike Stelzner of C&S Custom Calls, builds every one of his duck and goose calls by hand. And they sound good! Real good! In fact, for the 3rd straight year Mike has been named the Grand National Champion Call Maker of the Year by the NWTF. Known as a turkey organization, the National Wild Turkey Federation has long sponsored the "hunting" and "decorative" divisions for duck and goose call makers.

"The NWTF's Grand National Callmaking Competition is the premier call making competition in North America," said George Thornton, NWTF CEO. "This is the best place for up-and-coming callmakers to contend with seasoned veterans as they strive to outdo their creations from years past and win bragging rights."

"I never go in to the contest expecting to win", Stelzner says. "But that doesn't mean I don't try. It's my goal to make the best sounding custom duck and goose call and back it up with top notch customer service."

Over 400 calls were built in the shop attached to Mike's garage in 2009 and the number continues to rise each year.

If you're at waterfowl shows this summer or in the field this fall and you see a C&S call hanging from a lanyard, you probably won't witness boy-band style groupies in tow, but instead a truly custom, national champion call, made locally in a garage near you.

For more information on C&S Custom Calls on the web, go to: www.cscustomcalls.com

To see how Mike placed at the NWTF, go to: NWTF