Class Winners

The Gibson Award

For the best box call in the competition

This award named after Henry C. Gibson who pioneered the first box-style turkey call. His unique design was easy to carry and made realistic turkey sounds. It had the distinction of being the first box-style turkey call patented in the United States under patent number 574,534 in January 1897. With the help of some financial backing from a wealthy investor and hunter, his Gibson Tukey Call & Gobbler was produced for decades with advertisements appearing as late as 1921. The impact of Gibson’s basic design is still felt by hunters and callmakers alike over 100 years later and will continue to stability the tradition of hunting for the generations of hunters & callmakers that follow. It is our honor-to-honor Henry C. Gibson for his contributions to this contest and our way of life.

1999 - Craig Shultz (Reynolds Station, PA)

2000 - Scott Basehore (Denver, PA)

2001 - Don Chancey (Baxley, GA)

2002 - Bruce Wurth (Suisun, CA)

2003 - Don Chancey (Baxley, GA)

2004 - Scott Basehore (Denver, PA)

2005 - Michael Lapp (Honey Brook, PA)

2006 - Michael Lapp (Honey Brook, PA)

2007 - Scott Basehore (Denver, PA)

2008 - Michael Lapp (Honey Brook, PA)

2009 - Niles Oesterle (Dardenne Prairie, MD)

2010 - Ed Terefencko (Pottsville, PA)

2011 - D. Marlin Watkins (Summitville, OH)

2012 - D. Marlin Watkins (Summitville, OH)

2013 - Jeff McKamey (Ooltewah, TN)

2014 - Frank Kruer III (Taylorsville, KY)

2015 - Jeff McKamey (Ooltewah, TN)

2016 - Frank Kruer III (Taylorsville, KY)

2017 - Bob Fulcher (Huber Heights, OH)

2018 - Neal Impson (Hope, AR)

2019 - T.J. Johnson (Independence, KY)

2020 - Al and Josh Shoemaker (Lebanon, VA)

2021 - Scott Witter (Lockport, NY)

2022 - Tim Bullock (Forest City, NC)

2023 - Jeff Lacey (Fairmount, GA)

2024 - Scott Witter (Lockport, NY)