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Oregon Represents At 2017 Elk Calling Championship

Still from YouTube video
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Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation

An Oregon man is this year’s world elk calling champion.  And as KLCC’s Brian Bull reports, this distinct talent runs in the family. 

The World Elk Calling Championship was in Salt Lake City this month, drawing dozens of people who took their turn before the judges.

The winner of the Professional Division was Bryan Langley of McMinnville. He describes his winning bugle.

“I just went to Walmart and bought a wiffle-ball bat, cut the ends off of it and put a fleece cover over it.” 

Credit Still from YouTube video / Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation
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Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation
Moriah Langley took top honors in this year's Pee-Wee Division.

Langley had four children compete as well.  His daughter, Moriah, placed first in the Pee-Wee Division, followed by his son, Gavin.

“They were excited, they’ve been driving their mom nuts for months, getting ready for the competition.” 

A member of the Confederated Tribes of the Grande Ronde, Langley says he hunts elk on the reservation or other parts of Oregon.

Credit Geoff Parsons / Flickr.com
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Flickr.com

“Even how loud we can be with a bugle, really doesn’t even compare to a real live elk.  I mean, they’re pretty intimidating at times, when you’ve got a big bull elk screaming down the back of your neck, make the hairs stand up.” 

The annual contest is sponsored by the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.  It uses proceeds towards wildlife conservation efforts.

Copyright 2017, KLCC News.

Brian Bull is an assistant professor of journalism at the University of Oregon, and remains a contributor to the KLCC news department. He began working with KLCC in June 2016.   In his 27+ years as a public media journalist, he's worked at NPR, Twin Cities Public Television, South Dakota Public Broadcasting, Wisconsin Public Radio, and ideastream in Cleveland. His reporting has netted dozens of accolades, including four national Edward R. Murrow Awards (22 regional),  the Ohio Associated Press' Best Reporter Award, Best Radio Reporter from  the Native American Journalists Association, and the PRNDI/NEFE Award for Excellence in Consumer Finance Reporting.
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