Bryan Langley outdueled friendly rival Corey Jacobsen to claim first place in the professional division at the 2017 World Elk Calling Championships in Salt Lake City, Utah, presented by the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and the International Sportsmen’s Expositions.
“It feels pretty good. It’s been awhile. Corey and I have gone back and forth every year,” said Langley. “The first sequence I felt that my call was breaking up a little bit so I switched to a different call and I felt like I hit all the notes I needed to.”
Langley is a three-time champion in the professional division having also won titles in 2012 and 2013. He also won the men’s division in 2009.
Jacobsen has five pro division titles to his credit. He also won the men’s division in 1998 and the adult division in 1995. Additionally, Jacobsen won the Champion of the Champions invitational in 2013 that featured previous pro division winners from the first 25 World Elk Calling Championships.
Langley’s family also shined in 2017. Bryan’s oldest son, Brayden, competed in the men’s division for the first time while younger siblings Moriah, Gavin and Abram dominated the pee wee division by finishing first, second and fifth respectively.
Seventy-eight contestants, the most to take part since 2005, competed in six different divisions.
2017 World Elk Calling Championships winners:
Professional Division
Bryan Langley, McMinnville, Oregon
Corey Jacobsen, Boise, Idaho
Cody McCarthy, Post Falls, Idaho
Men’s Division
Damian Pagano, Rexburg, Idaho
Dirk Durham, Orofino, Idaho
Matt Toyn, Harrisville, Utah
Women’s Division
Lydia Smith, Rigby, Idaho
Misty Jacobsen, Vacaville, California
Jamie McCarthy, Post Falls, Idaho
Voice Division
Hannah Holiday, Northglenn, Colorado
Paul Griffiths, Somers, Montana
Kailee Brimmer, Keno, Oregon
Youth Division
Jacob Simper, Tooele, Utah
Joseph Simper, Tooele, Utah
Hunter Lewis, Herriman, Utah
Pee Wee Division
Moriah Langley, McMinnville, Oregon
Gavin Langley, McMinnville, Oregon
Fisher Lewis, Herriman, Utah