Duck caller bowing out with last shot

Hunter Morrow competing in the 2016 National Duck calling champs. Photo / Andrew Warner.

New Zealand's premier waterfowl imitator is stepping away from the solo duck-calling game, but not before he has one last shot at the world title.

Luggate builder Hunter Morrow with the New Zealand Duck Calling Championship trophy he won in Taupo at the weekend. Photo / Supplied

Reigning New Zealand duck-calling champion Hunter Morrow won his third straight open title at the national duck-calling championships in Taupo last weekend.

The Luggate builder said it was his last time taking part in the open competition at the championships, but he would return next year as a judge and would still compete in the team event and goose-calling category.

"I was going to step down anyway. It's probably time I let some of the other guys come through and I'm more than happy to help them out and whatnot," Morrow said.

But before putting away his duck caller, he will travel to Maryland in the United States to compete at the world championships for the third time, with the goal of finishing in the top three.

"I've got fourth the last two times, so definitely that's the goal - to finish in the top three - but all you can do is give it your best go."

The duck-calling skills of the younger generation made it easier to step aside, he said.

"There's a lot of talent. Some of the kids getting out there now, they're only 13 or 14, but man they have just come so far with it in such a short time."