b'BLASTfrom the PastThe rstduckcallingcontestwaswasThomasE.WalshofGreenville, originatedbyThadMcCollumofMississippi.Hewonthecontest Stuttgart.Dr.H.V.Glennsoldthewithouttheuseofaduckcall.Mr. ideaofsponsoringthecontesttoWalsh, who raised ducks as a hobby at theAmericanLegionwhichthenhis home, produced the sounds in his appointed a Duck Calling Committeethroat. He walked off with a hunting to stage the event. The committee wascoat valued at $6.60, purchased by the madeupofthreemen-Dr.Glenn,American Legion from the John Oberly Chairman; Mr. McCollum and ArthurClothing Store. Shoemaker.Later,VerneTindallof StuttgartreplacedMr.ShoemakerasTheonlyothercontestanttowin a committee member, and the contest rst prize without use of a duck call was held. wasHermanCallouetofGreenville, Mississippi, who won the event in 1942. Total list of entries for therst duckThe only woman to ever win the contest callingcontestwas17.Financialwas Pat Peacock of Stuttgart, Arkansas, arrangementsweresuchthatnotain 1955 and 1956.largeprizewasoffered.Thewinner NOVEMBER 24, 1936 - FIRST NATIONAL DUCK CALLING CONTEST HELD IN STUTTGART, ARKANSASIN CONNECTION WITH THE ANNUAL ARKANSAS RICE CARNIVAL AND SPONSORED BY AMERICAN LEGION POST NO. 48.T he tradition continues in 2021 with the 86th Annual Worlds Champion Duck Calling Contest and Wings Over the Prairie Festival held during the week of Thanksgiving, November 20-27, 2021.National sponsors of this years Worlds Champion Duck Calling Contest & Wings Over the Prairie Festival include Purina, Benelli, Winchester Ammunition, Macks Prairie Wings, Saracen Casino, RightFiber by Ritter, and Lennox Industries.Other corporate sponsors include Michelob Ultra, Lost Forty Brewing, Ludwig Distributing Company, Express Employment Professionals, Riceland Foods, Walmart, Ducks Unlimited, Baptist Health Medical Center-Stuttgart, Scott Manufacturing, War Eagle Boats, Mossy Oak Camo, YETI, Sutherlands, Stuttgart A&P Commission, Gunner Kennels, and SITKA. The first contest was held in1936.First prize in 1947 was $1,000 cash. Todays winner receives a prize package worth more than $25,000.Stuttgart Official Sportsmans Guide 2021 7'