Talking Shop with John Koepp of Addiction Calls

~ Award-winning duck, turkey and goose call business owner dealing with success.

A love for duck hunting, woodworking and rekindling an old hobby has brought John Koepp of Benton, Mo., celebrity status within the world of call making.

At 19 years old, he and his father began experimenting with call making. After making a few, John put down the hobby, saying he had other things on his mind at 19. In 2009, he began making calls again and was driven to make the best call he could possibly make. Koepp established his business, Addiction Calls, and began producing duck, turkey and goose calls for the masses. What began as a hobby has exploded into a company shipping calls nationwide and a sponsorship with an upcoming hunting show that will air on The Outdoor Channel. Koepp has won many competitions and has been recognized by several organizations for his calls. In 2012, he was awarded the title of National Call Maker of the Year by the National Wild Turkey Federation.

Q: Your business has had substantial success within the past few years. Did you envision this much success?

A: Yes, I did, just not this fast. When I first started the business I really researched marketing and business strategies, because I wanted this work. It has grown so much that we are currently looking into mass production systems. I hand-carve every call I sell right now and am so busy it's getting really hard to keep up.

Q: How much time goes into each of your calls and what characteristics makes a good call?

A: Depending on the material and design, I will spend between one and five hours on a single call. I make calls out of acrylic and domestic and exotic woods. One-of-a-kind calls take a lot of time. The process consists of a lot of carving and shaping the material. A good call comes down to the radius of a tone board, perfection and consistency. During competitions, a call maker is judged on craftsmanship, finish and performance, so the entire process is important.

Q: You recently signed to be the official sponsor for a show that will air on The Outdoor Channel called "Heartland Waterfowl TV." How do you expect this to affect your business?

A: I really hope it takes me to a whole new level. We are looking at mass production systems that will increase product output. Doing this will allow me to distribute my product to stores like Bass Pro. The show is going to be second to none and is expected to begin airing in July. I am really excited to be a part of it.

Q: So, do you watch "Duck Dynasty"?

A: Yes, I do, it's a great show. It has been really good for the market and this business.

skluesner@semissourian.com

887-3636

Pertinent address:

Benton, MO