Briggs Wins Grand National Turkey Calling

They all sounded so good, but only one contestant could get his hands on that $3,000 check for first place. This year it was Benny Briggs from Harlem, as he made yelps, cackles and kee-kees sound effortless.

Benny, a former winner of the World Turkey Calling Championship, won the Realtree Grand America Turkey Calling Contest. The finals for the contest were held on Sunday, February 9 as part of the Perry Fisharama.

Neither Ricky Joe Bishop (sixth place) from Warm Springs or Joe Drake (eighth place) from Fortson made their way into the top five, something that has been a given in recent years.

Second place went to Sadler McGraw from Camden, Ala. Jeff Murphy from Rayle finished third, his best finish ever at this event. Jeff won the Atlanta Turkey Hunting Expo Friction contest on February 1.

Fourth went to Joseph Mole of Louisville and fifth was awarded to Doug Benefield of Sharpsburg.

The top five 2003 Realtree Grand America Turkey Calling Contest senior contestants stand from fifth to first (left to right): Doug Benefield of Sharpsburg, Joseph Mole of Louisville, Jeff Murphy of Rayle, Sadler McGraw of Camden, Ala. and this year’s winner, Benny Briggs from Harlem.

In the junior division, Cody Williams of Uvalda yelped his way into a first-place finish. Cody won $500, a set of camouflauge and a plaque. Terrence Williamson of Gordo, Ala. was awarded with a second-place finish, and with that came $300 and a plaque. Hailey Long from York, Ala. won $100 for third. Reidsville turkey caller Austin Martin came in fourth, and he was given a check for $75. Rounding out the top five was Justin Donaldson, and he was given $50.

The top five 2003 Realtree Grand America Turkey Calling Contest junior contestants stand from fifth to first (left to right): Justin Donaldson of Brooklet, Austin Martin of Reidsville, Hailey Long of York, Ala., Terrence Williamson of Gordo, Ala., and Cody Williams of Uvalda.

The two-man competition, where two contestants imitate sights and sounds in the turkey woods, was won by Jeff Murphy and Preston Pittman of Pickens, Miss. They split $400.