“I’m in shock. When I think about the caliber of the competitors that I had to go up against, I honestly can’t 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.’ I’m grateful to RMEF for hosting this event and I’m 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 men’s 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 women’s 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
- Tony Gilbertson – Vernonia, Oregon
- Ruben Hunt – Anaconda, Montana
- Beau Brooks – Benton, Kentucky
- Avery Betty – Middleton, Idaho
Men’s Division
- Patrick Littrell – Florissant, Colorado
- Kelton Allman – Santa, Idaho
- Jaeger Evinger – Townsend, Montana
- Koby Holland – Dillon, Montana
Women’s Division
- Marisa Pagano-Noteboom – Anaconda, Montana
- Audrey McQueen – Luna, New Mexico
- Ella Lees – La Grande, Oregon
Voice Division
- Sam Wolcott – Rexburg, Idaho
- Rebecca Russell – Indian Head, Saskatchewan
- Danielle Oyler – Livingston, Montana
Youth Division
- Sam Jacobsen – Donnelly, Idaho
- Colton Rasmussen – Rexburg, Idaho
- Cash Madden – Canyon City, Oregon
- Jameson Cook – Julian, California
Pee Wee Division
- Hunter Littrell – Florissant, Colorado
- Wyatt Hedges – Missoula, Montana
- Jaxon Devaul – Colorado Springs, Colorado
- 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 Sportsman’s Warehouse, other contributing sponsors were Browning, Bow Spider, Buck Knives, Eberlestock, Hoyt, Leupold, Montana Decoy, Nosler, onX Hunt, Schnee’s, 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 America’s hunting heritage. Discover why “Hunting Is Conservation” ® at rmef.org or 800-CALL ELK.
