Joel Turner of Eatonville admits hunting is his life.

“I’ve been hunting since before

I could walk. My dad took me hunting in a backpack,” he said.

Turner named his 13-month-old son Bodie Hunter Turner so he can call him Bo Hunter.

It doesn’t matter what his quarry is, deer, elk, bear, Turner loves to hunt. One of his specialties is elk hunting. Those who hunt with Turner know he’s good at calling elk – after all, the 31-year-old has been calling since he was 12.

Turner’s so good he won the pro division world championship at the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation’s 24th annual expo in February in Reno, Nev. He received a trophy, $2,500 and other prizes.

The surprise is he took the top honor in just his third year of competitive calling, defeating several repeat winners in the process, and the world championship is the only event he’s competed in.

Turner first tried for the world championship in 2005, when his friend and hunting partner, Joe Lilley, owner of Rainier Archery in Graham, signed him up. Turner finished seventh.

In 2006, he moved up to third place.

After skipping last year’s event to be home with his wife and newborn son, Turner was back this year.

His rise to the top was aided by his experience at the previous events and a change in the competition’s format.

“It was a combination of learning what the judges like to hear and becoming more versatile in my calling,” Turner said. “They changed the competition this year. In 2006, you had 45 seconds of cow calls, whatever you wanted to do, and then 45 seconds of bull calls, whatever you wanted to do.

“In 2008, they gave you three specific calls you needed to do and then 30 seconds of free calling, the same for bull calls. It gave the judges some more common ground to compare people. You have to have some elk knowledge because you’re being asked to do a specific sound.”

Obviously, Turner sounds like the real thing.

He credits his ability – many would call it talent – to hours spent afield listening to elk. That’s why, when he’s doing seminars, he tells people to get outdoors.

“The main thing people need to do is go out and listen to real elk in nature. That’s the best teacher of them all, nature. Too many people listen to audiotapes or videotapes.”

When I asked Turner if his victory would mean a big change is his life, he chuckled and said no.

A couple of companies have called asking if he would join their pro staffs. Among the perks they’re offering is free gear and trips to seminars. “It’s not a huge deal like you’re going to see a lot of money,” he said with a laugh.

With the title in hand, Turner is now focusing on the upcoming hunting seasons. He’ll be out three days a week, hunting whatever is in season. And when the fall elk season comes, he’ll fine-tune his calling to defend his title next year in Fort Worth.

He’ll also work with little Bodie.

“He’s working on shooting a bow right now. He’s doing pretty well for a 13-month-old.”

Yes, hunting runs in the Turner family’s blood.

Jeffrey P. Mayor: 253-597-8640

jeff.mayor@thenewstribune.com

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