Gilbertson Leads Championship Parade to Capture 2024 World Elk Calling Title

Posted on: Jun 18, 2024

MISSOULA, Mont. Been there. Done that. But this time, in a more thrilling fashion! Tony Gilbertson, 2021 men's division winner, beat 10-time champion Corey Jacobsen and two-time defending winner Beau Brooks on his path to claim his first professional division title at the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundations 2024 World Elk Calling Championships, co-presented by Sportsmans Warehouse.  

Im in shock. When I think about the caliber of the competitors that I had to go up against, I honestly cant believe I won, said Gilbertson, an RMEF life member from Vernonia, Oregon. Corey has been a huge influence and mentor for me. Beau is a phenomenal caller and Ruben (Hunt), when I saw him continue to win, I said, This is going to get real. Im grateful to RMEF for hosting this event and Im looking forward to next year. 

Other former champions shined as well. Patrick Littrell was the only unbeaten caller in his division and claimed his second consecutive mens title. Marisa Pagano-Noteboom, a winner in 2018 and 2019, won a rare three-way call-off to defeat two other former champions and take the womens title. 

Sam Wolcott, two-time, defending pee wee champion aged out, so he shifted to the voice division and won the championship. After knocking on the door the past several years, Sam Jacobsen broke through to win the youth title while Hunter Littrell, the 2021 pee wee champion, capped an unbeaten run through the field to reclaim that championship. 

Professional Division 

1.      Tony Gilbertson Vernonia, Oregon 

2.     Ruben Hunt Anaconda, Montana 

3.     Beau Brooks Benton, Kentucky 

4.     Avery Betty Middleton, Idaho 

 

Mens Division 

1.      Patrick Littrell Florissant, Colorado 

2.     Kelton Allman Santa, Idaho 

3.     Jaeger Evinger Townsend, Montana 

4.     Koby Holland Dillon, Montana 

 

Womens Division 

1.      Marisa Pagano-Noteboom Anaconda, Montana 

2.     Audrey McQueen Luna, New Mexico 

3.     Ella Lees La Grande, Oregon 

 

Voice Division 

1.      Sam Wolcott Rexburg, Idaho 

2.     Rebecca Russell Indian Head, Saskatchewan 

3.     Danielle Oyler Livingston, Montana 

 

Youth Division 

1.      Sam Jacobsen Donnelly, Idaho 

2.     Colton Rasmussen Rexburg, Idaho 

3.     Cash Madden Canyon City, Oregon 

4.     Jameson Cook Julian, California 

 

Pee Wee Division 

1.      Hunter Littrell Florissant, Colorado 

2.     Wyatt Hedges Missoula, Montana 

3.     Jaxon Devaul Colorado Springs, Colorado 

4.     Gracelynn Devaul Colorado Springs, Colorado 

 

Participants competed for more than $45,000 in cash, hunting gear and other prizes. In addition to co-presenting sponsor Sportsmans Warehouse, other contributing sponsors were Browning, Bow Spider, Buck Knives, Eberlestock, Hoyt, Leupold, Montana Decoy, Nosler, onX Hunt, Schnees, Sitka and Swagger. Gunwerks also supplied the top two youth finishers with opportunities to go to on cow elk and deer management hunts in New Mexico.

The competition took place at Big Sky Resort in Big Sky, Montana. 

About the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation: 

Founded in 1984 and fueled by hunters, RMEF has conserved more than 8.9 million acres for elk and other wildlife. RMEF also works to open and improve public access, fund and advocate for science-based resource management, and ensure the future of Americas hunting heritage. Discover why Hunting Is Conservation  at rmef.org or 800-CALL ELK.