My name is Joey Gacnik, 27 years old, born and raised in Pueblo Colorado. Moved to La Junta Colorado in 2000 to take a job with the La Junta Fire Department, at which I am currently ranked Lieutenant.

I met the women who I now call my wife in 2003. No kids yet but we hope to start trying late next summer. (Perfect timing as to not miss any hunting when she is pregnant!) I grew up walking in my daddy’s boot tracks chasing every game Colorado has to offer. With a few arrowheads and shed antlers thrown in for good measure. Killed my first coyote at age 12 with his 300 H&H near Gardner Colorado while Elk Hunting on the family ranch. Since I moved to La Junta predator hunting has consumed me. I often tell people that if I had to give up all other species of game to hunt just one, that one would be predators. My hunting career is not very star studded, but I consider myself lucky to have been taught by the best hunter alive, my father. Cottontails to big horns he’s been there and knows the way. I also consider myself fortunate to have hunted and continue to still-hunt with, Nick Genova. Not only is he the best shot I’ve ever seen with any firearm, he’s one great friend. And of course my rock, my wife Karen. Man she can shoot!!!

I got my start in wood working doing custom engraving on rifle stocks. My first predator call was made from a cow horn cut from a calf on a good friend’s place not far from here. I used my engraving tools and a Black and Decker hand drill to craft ol’ #1. After ruining nearly all my production hand calls’ trying to get the reeds out, I was successful and used the reed from a primos still cottontail call. Well, one thing led to another and here I am.

Seems like every time I start making a call I always change my mind or try something new. For this reason, when I set out to make a call I usually plan on it taking at least a day and a half if not two full days from start to finish. 90% of my calls are made from Desert Ironwood. I prefer ironwood for its sound quality, density, and different grain patterns. You never know what you’re going to get until you actually cut into it. Hands down my favorite material to work with. But man that stuff is hard no tools. I very recently got into hand making my own tone boards. Boy, talk about satisfaction! Over the past few years’ guys like, Al Woodard, Joe Bradshaw, and Jerry Latta really inspired me. There call designs, attention to detail, and obvious skill really stood out amongst all the other call makers. It seemed like every time I made a call, I made it with the image of their latest calls floating around in my head. Soon I came up with my own style. A style, that to me is obviously influenced mostly by these three call makers. I’m honored to have calls from all three gentlemen in my collection. I thank you all!

I don’t keep a large waiting list for my calls, as I have a family and other priorities constantly competing for my time. Also, I enjoy call making so much I’m afraid that if I treat call making like a job it will become exactly that and no longer a hobby. I enjoy taking my time turning out one call at a time. My rewards are the friendships forged. It’s far more enjoyable for me to share a good conversation with a fellow call maker or hunter, than it is for me to run to the bank with a check to cash. So give me a call anytime! In closing I would like to thank Al Woodard for lending a helping hand whenever I needed one and to offer advise whenever a problem arose. And to all other call makers and users, if there’s anything I can ever do please don’t hesitate to ask.

Joey Gacnik