A New Brunswick man is set to take his award-winning duck calling skills to the world stage.
For Matthew Wilson, his love of the art of duck and goose calling began when he was just a little boy. The hobby turned competitive about a decade ago.
“At first I really go my hat handed to me,” says Wilson.
Despite the disappointment, Wilson was sure he had found his calling and didn't stop trying to improve.
“As I learned and asked other callers and judges how I could get better and steadily got better,” says Wilson.
Soon enough, Wilson began collecting hardware and had the opportunity to test his skills on the world stage.
“I got my first chance in 2007 to compete for Canada at the worlds, so that was a pretty big deal,” says Wilson.
Last year, he placed 30th in the world, as the only Canadian in competition, with his very own signature series duck call.
“The worlds has been going 80 years and nobody has ever taken a Canadian made duck call down there,” says Wilson. “To do well with it, made a lot of history last year, so it was pretty awesome.”
Earlier this month, Wilson cleaned up at the New Brunswick Sportsman Show, qualifying for another trip to the world championships.
Beyond competition, Wilson is also an ambassador of the craft.
“Here in the past couple weeks, the kids around this neighbourhood, I think every one of them has a duck call now,” says Wilson.
The World's Championship Duck Calling Contest takes place in Arkansas this November.
With files from CTV Atlantic's Nick Moore
