Prostaff and Juior Staff

[Drake Whistle]

Hey hunters. I'm only 13 years old but I love calling and hunting. I would like to know what age you became a pro-field-junior staff and what did you have to do, also what did it take, like really good calling-contest wins? I know i can't be one at my age but i'm currious.

[Nick McArthur]

Drake Whistle,

I am glad you asked, myself and the Grinder were just talking this week about the several inquiries FMI gets over the message board from its members as to what it takes to be a Pro-Staffer, what you get when you are a Pro-Staffer, how you become a Pro-Staffer, etc, etc.

So I guess I will try and lay it out for everyone the answers as they would come from my mouth. And anyone after is welcome to add their opinion(s) as well.

I became a Pro-Staff member in Oct 04 or 03, I can't remember.....anyways. I guess you could say I rode the coat tails of my brother onto the Pro-Staff as he was asked my The Grinder the first year we were at our State Goose Calling Contest. The Grinder must have been impressed by something, which is surprising since he likes NOBODY!! Shortly there after he was offered Pro-Staff Contract....a couple months later Jeff was at a deal in St. Cloud, he was talking with my brother and asked me if I blew competetions, I said I was starting, he asked to hear me and told me to call the shop and get a contract...so there is that deal.

Out of the shoots I was mostly excited about having the title of Pro-Staffer, that was the DEAL and I thought that was the best. I really didn't much care for the FEW perks of the deal, I had already bought 14 Acrylic duck and goose calls from Foiles. After being part of the FMI organization for 2 or 3 years now, I have talked to several Pro-Staffers from the industry, talked to people who wannabe on a Pro-Staff....let me tell you, my eyes were opened to the Waterfowl Industry!!! Everyone wants to know WHAT I GET FOR FREE, whether it be calls, shirts, whatever. Those are the types of people FMI or any Pro-Staff for that matter does not want on their Pro-Staff...those just looking for a handout....and that just ain't me in no way, shape, or form in any situation in life. I signed the contract from Foiles because I guess I was a fan BACK THEN(not ashamed to say that now, and I ain't now, cause I heard somethings he did on a certain Mountain), I was excited about contest calling, I think his calls are the best, and I wanted to be a part of a TEAM of individuals.

Wow, this got real long, real quick....I guess, in my words, and from what I have learned as being a part of FMI Pro-Staff over the years, we want individuals who are NOT looking for handouts, individuals who ain't afraid to travel and go to shows that no one else wants to, dedicated, TRUSTWORTHY, and LOYAL!!!! The small number of Pro-Staffers I have actually met face to face over the years are GREAT people (well, most of them...anyway), some have become GREAT friends and I look forward to the show/contest season to be able to see them again.

Well, I now have some work to do, and I am sick of typing.....

[Nick McArthur]

Oh ya, and guys that can blow a duck and goose as well usually helps!!!

[Drake Whistle]

what age would be a good start? seeing as im only 13 - but what age do you think?

[ia_young_gun]

Bump

Maybe one of the mods or someone else could put in their 2 cents and elaborate a little more on Nick's explanation. Is it just a "by chance" kind of thing where you happen to meet a FOI pro staffer and they hear you call and like it? Does FOI offer junior staffer positions. If so, what are the differences?

Thanks

[SGTSLTR]

Do help better answer the question. There is an application process. You have to call the shop and ask one of the girls for an application. Fill it out, and wait and see what happens. Being able to blow a call and tune them helps alot.

I have had my application in for almost 6 months, and haven't heard anything yet. They are busy all the time, be it shows or hunting. I don't and you shouldn't expect an answer right away. Be patient and hope for the best!!!!

[hoosierhunter]

If you apply, make sure and put your application together professionally, included pictures of your hunts, etc. I would recommend you type it out, need something to really make it stand out, from what I've heard they are just swamped in applications and if it doesn't standout from the rest, it pretty much is going to just get pitched. So make yourself stand out!

[Nick McArthur]

I really woudn't say it is a by chance type deal, that is how I got on this deal....but I would say a lot of guys make it through the application process. And like was said, there are a lot of apps that get sent out, looked at, and processed and not processed....apps that are probably sitting in a pile right now waiting for Biggie or someone to get back and take a look at them!!!

As far as pictures of hunts, etc....I really don't know about that deal, all I can say is fill out the application first and foremost HONESTLY, and do so in a professional manner as well as be complete in your answers. And once you have the app in, it WILL take time, it is not a quick turn around deal, so calling the shop and Pro-Staff coordinators usually will not help, it gets processed when its processed....that is a BUSY place down there....hope this helps.....

[Mark Spence]

I think Nick did a good job explaining things. But I will add a couple things if you are not a comp caller.

You need or should have a good reputation in your region for your hunting and/or calling skills. Every time out in the field you need to carry yourself in a well mannered and professional way. Don't be afraid to ask others who want to hunt the same field as you to hunt with you...assuming there is room in your party. Be cordial to people in the field.

TAKE PICS of ALL your hunts...send them into the website. Prove to the FMI team that you have the skills to pile up birds. Get yourself noticed...get your name out there.

You MUST be loyal to Jeff and FMI...promote FMI in all aspects. Jeff is HUGE on loyalty. If you can show that you are loyal to Jeff and FMI, and that you are not swayed by others in the industry...this is a big bonus!!! Not to mention, loyalty will get you respect...not only from Jeff but from other in the industry as well.

Those are just a couple things to add. But one thing you MUST remember...being on the green wing team, field staff, pro-staff, or gold staff is a lot of work. It is not always all fun and games. And you should not expect free gear. There are some perks....but you work for them. You do shows, seminars, attend events in your area to promote FMI, you travel to other areas to do the same. You WILL miss out on some hunting to do these things. If you are not willing to do these things...chances are if you do make the team, you will be cut for lack of participation or you will not make the team to begin with.

Call the shop and get your applications....fill them out as indicated in the posts above and send them in. From that point, it is a waiting game to see if you are sent a contract. I will say this, as I think Nick already said, DO NOT CALL THE SHOP REPEATEDLY asking about the status of your application. When Jeff or Big Sean or Rennecker or whoever else gets the time to review the applications, they will review them. You would never believe me if I told you how busy the people at the shop are on a daily basis. So, send it in, go about your business and hopefully you will get a contract in the mail!!!

[Beretta_hunter_forlife]

Yeah about all of this im only 14 and wanting to get into this stuff to. I can call good, but i dont have a foiles call. Im wondering the exact same thing. I hunt almost every weekend i have and when everyone is out deer hunting or pheasant hunting, im either out in a field with my friends, or hittin the wetlands going for them bands. Got one this year so far, a wooduck so i have had some good look. Got 25 ducks and 15 geese this year. im really intrested in it and would like to get further instructions or what ever u do to help me. Thanks a lot

[Drake Whistle]

what kinda calls do you use? just curious

[Beretta_hunter_forlife]

Well i mostly am into the cheaper ones that sound kinda good. I use right now a primos wench, quach head quacker stacker and a buck gardner double nasty II. I am saving up for a strait meat mallard which is 125. Buying a double reed because i have used them al l my life and have no need for a single where i hunt. What calls do u use??

[Justin Mcdonald]

hey drake whistle, Im one of the yunger prostaff members I started when I was 15 and I am currently 16 so I havent been with foiles for that long . and It dosent take much to be part of foils prostaff depending on what part of prostaff you can be on. If you have any state wins under you theyl start you off at a higher leval and if you dont they will start you out at a lower leval and you will have to work your way up. You can contact the shop and they will tell you every thing you need to know .allso, you can start competion calling at any age notheing is holding you back so get out there and give it a shot you might be suprized at how well you do. good luck and good callin.

[Drake Whistle]

Benelli, Well i use a HPH, Buck gardner canada hammer, and double nasty- I am also savin for a double reed foiles - I have done calling comps- my first it was a novice and i got smoked....and next couple i did the juniors and got 2nd for duck and goose - for the 2 man i got 2nd for duck and 1st for goose - i want to keep continuing comp calling, but i'm having trouble getting a really goosey sound, it could be my hand position or the way i use my air but i need a lil work on that- anything else I should know if i wanna apply for an AP. in the future?

[Steve DeMaster]

I started when I was 13 and have been on the team as long as anyone has. I have seen people come and go. I have been with jeff for 5 to six years. Man all you have to do is work hard supporting the call manufactor and also go with a call company that will take care of you and not stab you in the back!! Other then that go there and have fun before you sign onto a prostaff, cause when you do all the fun and game are over. Its is like almost getting married. When you leave a company ussally there is hell to pay. I am not trying to talk you out of getting on a prostaff, all I am saying is watch you back and pick a call company that will help and support you the most.

[nicklentz]

I have sent in an application about 2 to 3 weeks ago and I was wondering if I am going to get a response or am I going to have to keep wondering what is going on.

[HRK]

hang on brother it takes time! the girls have a pile about 2 feet deep!!! jeff and big sean have to look at em all, see if you meet the criteria, how many staffers are in your area, ect, ect if you are selected they will send you out a contract hope this helps. PS its killin time so it will take a little longer

[Nick McArthur]

It will definitely take some time, like HRK said, Foiles is hunting, Biggie just got done guiding in Ontario. They have several apps to take a look at, and one thing I do advise is not to call and check several times on the status of your app. It will get looked at and if you are qualified, you will recieve notification. Thanks!!!

[nicklentz]

That is what I thought. I was just wondering how long it usually takes. Thanks.