2002 Grand America Turkey Calling Results

For the past seven years, the senior division of the Realtree Grand America Turkey Calling Contest has been a turkey calling duel between Georgia’s two premiere callers — Joe Drake, of Fortson, and Ricky Joe Bishop, of Warm Springs.

During that span, either Joe or Ricky Joe has taken first place SIX times (Joe four times; Ricky Joe twice). Four times during the past seven years, the two callers have filled first and second place.

In 2002, the duel of high-quality kee-kees, yelps, clucks and purrs was won by Ricky Joe Bishop, who edged out Joe for the top spot.

Top callers at the 2002 Realtree Grand America: (L-R) First: Ricky Joe Bishop of Warm Springs; Second: Joe Drake of Fortson; Third: Sadler McGraw of Camden, Ala.; Fourth: Cameron Harrington of Athens; and Fifth, William Terry of VanWyck, S.C.

The finals were held February 10 in Perry. Ricky Joe received a $3,000 check for the first-place finish; Joe received $1,500.

Third-place in the senior division went to Sadler McGraw, of Camden, Ala. Cameron Harrington, of Athens, won a call-off with William Terry, of VanWyck, S.C., to take fourth place.

In the junior division, Terence Williamson and Brandon Sims, both of Carrolllton, Ala., placed first and second, respectively. Terence won $500, Brandon won $300. Third place went to Jarrod Duffy, of Gordo, Ala. Cody Williams, of Uvalda, won fourth, and Hailey Long, of York, Ala. placed fifth.

Another winning streak was extended to four years by the 2-man team of Jeff Murphy, of Rayle, and Joe Williams, of Atlanta. Jeff and Joe split $400 first-place money.

Doug Benefield, of Sharpsburg, and Preston Pittman, of Pickens, Miss., placed second in the 2-man.

The 2-man calling competition was held between the junior and senior division contests and a big crowd was on hand. They heard an array of calls, ranging from cows and owls to squirrels and turkeys, and saw the hilarious gobbler-imitating antics of the two teams.