NWTF Announces 2027 Grand National Calling Championships Hall of Fame Class

Voted on by former GNCC champions and previous Hall of Fame inductees, two individuals have been selected for induction in 2027: Steve Stoltz and Dempsey White. The induction ceremony is scheduled for noon, Saturday, Feb. 13, 2027, at Nashville’s Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center. This free event in the Davidson Ballroom is open to the public to honor and celebrate these two outstanding callers and their impact on the history of the GNCCs and turkey calling. The induction ceremony will take place before the GNCC Senior Open Finals, the Super Bowl of turkey calling, which is part of the 50th Grand National Calling Championships in 2027 (event was cancelled in 2021 due to COVID-19).

From 1977 in Hershey, Pennsylvania, site of the first GNCCs, to today’s grand contest in Nashville as a prelude to wild turkey hunting seasons across the country, many great callers and supporters have played a pivotal role in promoting the sport of competitive turkey calling and cut a path for future outdoorsmen and women. Without their efforts to champion wild turkey hunting and calling, millions of hunters who pursue the wild turkey each spring would not have the opportunities available today.

The 2027 class of the NWTF Grand National Calling Championships Hall of Fame features:

Steve Stoltz is one of the most recognized faces in the turkey and deer hunting industry. His resume includes scores of turkey calling contest wins through four decades, including the 1993 World championship, Grand Nationals Champion of Champions, the Mid-America Open and 20 state titles. A 20-time Grand Nationals Senior finalist, he has won or placed in more than 200 calling contests. He is a Grand Nationals judge and emcee and continues to volunteer to help local calling contests in the same capacity. A WoodHaven Custom Calls pro-staffer, Steve hails from Cantril, Iowa.

Dempsey White started competing in calling contests in 1982. He made six GNCC Senior Division finals appearances and won the Senior title in 1991. Dempsey also placed in the top five at the Worlds three times and won the World Senior title in 1996. At that time, he was only the second person to have won the World and GNCC Senior titles. His resume also includes many state and regional titles. He was a U.S. Open finalist, a Levi Garrett All-American finalist, and a Realtree Grand American finalist and three-time top-five finisher. Dempsey was also a runner-up in the GNCC Team Challenge and World Team Challenge. An avid turkey hunter for 58 years and member of the NWTF since its inception, Dempsey served on the pro staffs of Quaker Boy, Hunters Specialties and Lohman Game Calls.