| Student turkey caller is world champion
By John Carter Shelton, staff writer When holidays such as Thanksgiving and Christmas arrive, friends and family of Brian Hook never encounter an empty meat platter on the dinner table. Hook, a freshman business major of Wynne, is the 1996 world champion turkey caller in the 17-and-younger age division. Now 18, Hook competes in the intermediate division, which consists of 16- to 20-year olds in all contests except the world championships in Birmingham, Ala. Hook, who has been hunting turkey since age 11 said his most recent win came at the Arkansas state competition Feb. 1. Because of collegiate obligations, Hook missed this year's world championships but said he plans to compete next year. During last year's world championships, Hook competed against 50 callers and in front of almost 2,000 people. At 14, Hook won the first competition he entered. He said he began to take the calling aspect of turkey hunting seriously and competed regularly. Supplied with knowledge and support from his father and friends, Hook has won 20 of the 40 competitions he entered during the past five years. He won 25 trophies, 12 shotguns and more than $1,000, including $150 at the world championships. MAD Calls out of Columbia, Mo., sponsors Hook, providing him with the calls and clothes he wears during competitions. Hook uses diaphragm calls that fit in his mouth and are not as cumbersome as other turkey calls. Hook can carry several turkey calls in snuff cans. Hook does not limit his game-calling skills to turkey hunting. He also enjoys hunting deer, rabbit, fowl and waterfowl in Arkansas. Although Hook said he plans to use his degree to open his own line of turkey calls, living in Twin Towers might provide a bigger challenge than earning a degree. "I need to practice at least an hour every other day, but when I practice in my room, people start knocking on my door complaining," Hook said. "I now have to drive around Jonesboro in my car just to practice. Hopefully, the citizens of Jonesboro will not mistake Hook's red pickup truck for a giant turkey. |