Some of New Zealand's top duck callers are preparing to head to the United States to compete in the World Waterfowl Calling Championships in the state of Maryland.
A builder from Luggate in Otago, Hunter Morrow, is the country's most successful duck calling champ, having won the New Zealand championships three times.
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He flies out to the United States on Wednesday night to compete in the world champs for the fourth time.
"I've been doing lots of practice, so all I can do is get up there and try," he said, having previously won a second and a third placing.
Mr Hunter said it may be his last trip to the world champs for a while given the expenses involved, so will be giving it his best shot.
Nelson teenager Holly Irvine has also competed in the world champs.
In 2017, she was the only female in the American competition and placed third in the junior duck-calling division, having previously won a number of New Zealand junior titles.
Also competing is 15 year-old Ekatahuna schoolboy Ben Schnell, who has placed in a number of Kiwi duck calling competitions.
Adam Rayner, organiser of the New Zealand champs recently held in Taupo, is delighted to see the Kiwis off to compete against the world's best.
"They've earned their shot at the world champs through hard work. Loads of practice - that's the pretty simple secret to becoming a top duck caller which calls for quite a level of skill, like playing a woodwind instrument," he said.
"The World Waterfowl Calling Championships at Easton in Maryland is international competition at the highest level, so reaching this standard says much about their talents and perseverance." said Mr Rayner.
Fish and Game communications advisor Richard Cosgrove said the organisation is pleased to see the group heading off to compete.
"It's great that we are up there competing at an international level - duck calling is such an important part of duck hunting culture and a key skill for all hunters," he said.
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