Buck Gardner

DUC’s 2009 Duck and Goose Calling Championship Judge

Buck Gardner of Germantown, Tennessee is recognized as one of the top duck callers in the nation. He won the 1994 World Championship, and in 1995 he captured the ultimate duck calling trophy, “Champion of Champions”, which forced him into competition retirement. He now participates as a judge in contests around the country, and occasionally for the “World Contest” in Stuttgart, Arkansas.

Buck recalls his first duck hunt at the age of six, which was with his father. While picking up two ducks his father had shot, he stepped into a stump hole and went under water over his head, but proudly emerged with both ducks in his hands. As soon as he was dry and warm, he was ready to go out again. He says, "You might say this was my ‘baptism into duck hunting’. I continued to hunt with my dad at that very spot up to the point he could no longer go, at the age of 80, and we always talked about the day I got dunked."

In 1980, Gardner entered his first duck calling contest - and finished last when he was disqualified for talking during his routine. In 1981, he came back and won the first of three Alabama State Championships. In 1982, Gardner won the Mississippi Delta Regional, defeating 47 contestants from 17 states, including six former world champions. After much persistence, twelve years, and many high placing finishes, he triumphed to secure the coveted World Champion title and a place in duck calling history.

A hobby started by Buck in 1986 with a few basic duck calls soon became a growing concern and profitable business. Buck Gardner Calls, LLC now includes a full line of duck, goose, predator, deer and turkey calls, as well as accessories and clothing. Buck is recognized by consumers, retailers and other manufacturers as an innovator. BGC was the first call company to: produce a compact disc on duck calling, use Santoprene@ wedges instead of cork, put camo coating onto duck calls, and to utilize clam shell packaging. In 2003, BGC made available the first reasonably priced (another trademark of Buck’s company) laser-polished injection molded calls. In 2005, Buck introduced Interactive Displays to the retailer, which enables a customer, with the touch of a button, to receive audible information about his products. 2006 brought the personal Digital Calling Coach, sold with a call, which reproduces life-like calling sequences. Buck considers “Spit Tech” his greatest achievement. “Spit-Tech” is a unique design in his calls which guarantees it will never fail or stick, no matter how full of spit the call gets. If it does, Buck will refund your money! No other company makes that guarantee.

A priority for Buck is to pass along the love of the outdoors which his father gave him. He does this by participating in kid’s events throughout the country each year. His greatest joy comes in mentoring a young hunter or caller in the techniques of the sport. His company generously donates on average 20,000 calls to kid’s and other events each year. In 2005, he was recognized by his peers for his humanitarian contributions, as well as his positive impact on the industry, when he was inducted into the “Legends of the Outdoors Hall of Fame.”

Buck is a Ducks Unlimited Life Sponsor and a Delta Waterfowl Life Sponsor, and helps conduct the U.S. Open and Tennessee State Duck Calling Championships. He has partnership deals with Tanglefree/Casl Industries, Briley, Hot Hands, and Hodgeman. They use Buck to help promote and design some of their products. Buck also has strong ties and sponsorships with, Mossy Oak Brand Camo, War Eagle Boats, Remington, Gerber, Tri Tronics, Mud Buddy Motors, and Timex.

Buck and his wife, Marlene, with whom he works, have been married 37 years, and have three children, Brad, Elaine, and Patrick.