The first annual Predator Masters Hunt marked the presentation of the first annual Will Craig Award. Congratulations to
Randy Watson, the winner of this years award. The moderators of Predator Masters voted for an individual who they felt had worked to make Will Craig's dream of Predator Masters, an organization dedicated to the betterment and furtherment of predator calling.
The award was presented at the hunt and the following speech was presented by Bill Gardner of Extreme Dimension Wildlife Calls:
"Thank you for coming to the first annual Predator Masters Hunt. It’s a pleasure for me to be here. Unfortunately, I am here, but the award is not! We had a little snag in the delivery system and so the plaque was detoured by a Midwest snowstorm. I’m told it’s very attractive so just use your imagination and visualize a walnut plaque, about this big.
I have the honor of announcing this year’s winner of the Will Craig Award. The Will Craig Award recognizes the efforts and accomplishments of a Predator Masters member for the furtherment of predator hunting, and the furtherment of Will Craig's dream for the Predator Masters organization". The fine moderators of the Predator Masters forums nominate worthy recipients and final vote was held for the winner.
I think the best way to describe Will’s dream is to use his own words. The following is a combination of two emails sent to my wife, Tasha and myself by Will Craig in February of this past year.
Will wrote: “I have a proposal for you guys.
I’ve registered the domain name of Predator Masters. I am trying to implement a long held dream of mine: an organization exclusively for predator callers. So far there isn’t such a beast and I think the sport of predator calling has increased to the point where it would support such a concept. You know, something similar the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation but for predator callers.
I’m in the process of designing a new website for Predator Masters and think a forum for the site is vital. I propose to you that since you already have a board, that we transfer it over to Predator Masters. We list you guys as the sponsor for the board and try to attract other predator calling related products and services advertising.
If you agree, I’d like to recruit some of those whom I consider to be the top in their field when it comes to calling or knowledge about predators to act as moderators. Once everything is in place, we’d generate a massive mailing list to make predator callers aware of the new site.
We could also have a quarterly edition of an online magazine that addresses all calling subjects, reloading, new products, etc.
Yes there are some good boards out there already, so why Predator Masters?
I’ve noticed several things about predator callers but they all seem to have the overwhelming trait of loyalty to certain things like, the message board they visit, the particular caller they use, rifle, camo, etc.
I firmly believe that predator callers want to belong to something that they can contribute to and support, and something that will support them in return. The message boards give them such a place but the identification stops the minute they logoff the board. The assorted message boards out there are basically like one’s favorite watering hole where people get together and swap a few stories and then they all go their own way.
I envision Predator Masters as a sport specific organization with the intent of promoting and protecting the sport of predator calling throughout North America. My dream includes a web site full of "how to information," "state by state info, political issues, and an online magazine. Also in time promotional items like hats, decals, membership cards, etc. predator callers would fight to get their hands on such things because there is nothing out there yet that gives callers the type of identity I envision. Paid Predator Master members would be given discounts on calls, and other items, from vendors wanting to increase their web sales.
On the subject of the message board, I intend to recruit the best of the best as moderators. I think the board should be the A to Z in predator calling and calling big game animals. I’d like to develop a method where we could contact a vast number of predator callers, via email, to attract them to the site once its up and running. I think a web site that offers the best in design, graphics, and content, I conjunction with the message board, will blow the others off the map in a short period of time.
I think the mission of Predator Masters should be to inform callers on the various calling methods and the equipment used and let the individual caller makeup their own mind as to which product they buy. Predator Masters must promote the sport of calling and that includes the promotion of equipment that makes the sport possible. Personally, I think there is enough room for all equipment makers to become part of the equation. I think it is in the best interest for all call makers to unite behind Predator Masters because political unity is needed to address the concerns of the industry; issues that often effect the predator caller will impact the call maker down the road. The gun-makers and reloading industry have such an organization to protect their interest, so why not the call making folks?
Yes there are many things to think about and discuss, I know I don’t have all the answers, but merely this dream that I’ve held to myself for a long time. This was the original intent of the Shade Tree and Posse Country but everyone keeps waiting for someone else to do something. I realize that I can’t do it by myself but with the help of a few we should be able to attract others to join our cause.”
Before I announce the winner, I want to thank ALL of the people who helped Will realize his dream. Rita, thank you for allowing your husband to give so much of his time and resources. To the moderators, thank you for your efforts in helping with the administration and monitoring of the board, for your efforts in organizing this hunt, but most of all for being the “best of the best” that Will had envisioned, sharing your knowledge with those who are just being introduced to the sport.
And the envelope please
This years winner of the Will Craig Award is Randy Watson. Randy couldn’t make it to this years hunt, and doesn’t know that he is the winner. On behalf of Extreme Dimension Wildlife Calls, and the Predator Masters team, Congratulations Randy!"
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