2021’s Best Elk Buglers Sing: RMEF World Championships

Call it a changing of the guard at the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation’s 2021 World Elk Calling Championships (WECC), presented by Sportsman’s Warehouse. RMEF, with the help of its sponsors, doled out more than $50,000 in cash and hunting gear while crowning five new champions in the head-to-head, bracketed format including Cody McCarthy of Nampa, Idaho. McCarthy was the only caller to go undefeated in the professional division.

“I’m very thankful for this opportunity that RMEF put on. I hope me winning can help motivate and encourage more people to come out and participate in the lifestyle and traditions of elk hunting,” said McCarthy.

McCarthy donated $500 of his winnings to the family of Damian Pagano, the 2017 men’s champion who recently and unexpectedly passed away.

Jessi Jacobsen of Donnelly, Idaho, won her first women’s world title, two years after finishing fourth.

“It’s pretty awesome. I didn’t practice a whole lot last time and this time I put in the work and practiced so it just felt good that practice pays off. It’s really exciting and fun,” said Jacobsen

Tony Gilbertson of Vernonia, Oregon, last competed in the WECC about 20 years ago but returned to capture the men’s division title after rallying out of the consolation bracket.

“I was overwhelmed. It was a very gratifying and humbling experience to be a part of that whole competition,” said Gilbertson. “I’m grateful for the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and its efforts to conserve wildlife and habitat.”

There are also new world champions in the youth (age 11-17) and pee wee divisions (age 10 and under). Kelton Allman of Santa, Idaho, won the youth title while Hunter Littrell of Peyton, Colorado, captured the pee wee championship.

Below is a list of the top finishers in each division.

Professional Division:

1st        Cody McCarthy        Nampa, Idaho

2nd      Josh Fields               Columbia Falls, Montana

3rd       Austin Rose               Nampa, Idaho

4th       Beau Brooks            LaCenter, Washington

Men’s Division:

1st       Tony Gilbertson        Vernonia, Oregon

2nd     John Simper              Tooele, Utah

3rd     Patrick Littrell           Peyton, Colorado

4th      Kurtis Garvin            Rawlins, Wyoming

Women’s Division:

1st       Jessi Jacobsen        Donnelly, Idaho

2nd     Ella Lees                     LaGrande, Oregon

3rd      Audrey McQueen    Luna, New Mexico

4th      Amy Morris                Springville, Utah

Youth Division:

1st        Kelton Allman          Santa, Idaho

2nd     Christopher Fong    Middleton, Idaho

3rd      Joseph Simper          Tooele, Utah

4th      Brylie Garvin              Elberta, Utah

Pee Wee Division:

1st       Hunter Littrell          Peyton, Colorado

2nd     Jace Wangsgard        Eagle Mountain, Utah

3rd      Kohen Garvin             Elberta, Utah

4th      Maxine Littrell           Peyton, Colorado

Randy Newberg, an avid elk hunter, strong advocate for public lands and public access issues as well as a RMEF volunteer, life member and former board member, served as emcee.

In addition to presenting sponsor Sportsman’s Warehouse, other WECC sponsors include Browning, Eberlestock, Gerber, HHA Sports, Hoyt Archery, Leupold, Montana Decoy, Nosler, Schnee’s, Swagger and Traeger.