2022 Yonah Invitational Turkey Calling Contest Returns To Ag-Pro GON Outdoor Blast

A trip to Nashville to compete in the NWTF Grand Nationals will be on the line as the 2nd annual Yonah Invitational turkey-calling competition takes place at the Ag-Pro GON Outdoor Blast on Saturday, July 30.

Outdoor writer Donald Devereaux Jarrett and John Browning, of Pistol Creek Game Calls, are once again organizing the event with an eye toward making this one of the most prestigious turkey-calling contests in the nation.

The 2021 Yonah Open Division top-3 callers were (from left) Craig Wolfe, Michael Stovall and Hunter Young.

“The event started as just an idea that John Browning, owner of Pistol Creek Outdoors, had in the late summer of 2019. When he shared the idea with me, I couldn’t wait to do it,” said Donald Jarrett, a GON freelance writer for two decades and a pro-staffer for Pistol Creek Outdoors. “We kicked it around a little and then got in touch with GON.”

The Yonah Invitational is a “Grand National Qualifying Event,” which means it’s sanctioned by the National Wild Turkey Federation. Qualifiers give callers the opportunity to qualify for a golden ticket to the Grand National Calling Championships. Hosted in Nashville at the annual NWTF Convention and Sport Show, this turkey-calling contest is known widely as the Super Bowl of all turkey calling competitions.

“Many people were surprised to see a turkey-calling contest in August, but a serious turkey-calling competitor will tell you that it’s about stage time,” said Donald. “They want to stay sharp by practicing, and there is no better place for that than on the stage competing. They are either looking for that ticket to Nashville or staying on top of their game if they have already earned a trip to the big stage.”

The Yonah Invitational offers six divisions at the July Outdoor Blast: Owling, Poults, Juniors, Hunter, Friction and Open. Sign up will begin at 9:30 a.m. on July 30. The contest is expected to start around 11 a.m.

If you’re interested in more information on this year’s Yonah Invitational, call Donald at 706.473.8027 or email [email protected].

The Ag-Pro Outdoor Blast is presented by Georgia Drives Chevy and sponsored by Apex Hunting Competitions and Kenzie Optics. New this year is the Ultimate $1K Shoot-Out. Beginning at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 30, anyone at the Blast can step into the Truck-Buck Shoot Arena and qualify for the chance to win $1,000. Qualifying is $5 for one shot or $10 for three shots at an egg from the 45-foot stage. Qualifiers will shoot at the egg from 60 feet until we have a $1,000 winner.

Also new this year is the Bass Tub and Fishing Seminars, and APEX Competitions will conduct their deer and turkey awards show on Saturday.

The Gun-An-Hour Giveaway is back this year. During the Outdoor Blast we give away a gun every hour to a show attendee—no raffle tickets to buy. Also at the show will be the Chevy Ride-and-Drive Experience, Truck-Buck Shoot-Out, and the 2nd annual Yonah Invitational Turkey Calling Championships, an NWTF Grand National Qualifier. For calling-contest info, contact Donald Jarrett at 706.473.8027.  

As always at the Ag-Pro Outdoor Blast, GON’s Youth Big-Buck Contest and the Truck-Buck Shoot-Out will be held. The 2022 Ag-Pro GON Outdoor Blast will feature hundreds of hunting and fishing vendors offering products and services—and of course great deals with our Blast Bargains.

Vendor Booths Available: Larger building means more space for new exhibitors at the 2022 Outdoor Blast

The Ag-Pro GON Outdoor Blast has sold out of vendor space for many years, but with the move to the LakePoint Champions Center the show expands to more than 125,000 square feet. That means new exhibitors can join this special weekend to promote their products and services and meet thousands of sportsmen.

For details on the remaining exhibitor booth space, contact show director Mindy Burns at 800.438.4663, or email [email protected].

See the floor plan and more details about the event at www.gon.com/outdoor-blast.