From the early age of 9 years old, Paul Butski’s love and passion for the outdoors became front and center in his life. His father loved to fish, and his uncles and cousins loved to hunt. They all helped to teach him skills of the outdoors and respect for guns and nature. He spent every summer from ages 9 to 17 at a summer camp up in Haliburton, Ontario, first as camper learning survival skills, then a counselor, and later after learning the skills, a canoe trip guide in Algonquin Park.
In 1972 Paul met the love of his life Halina and had 3 children. 52 years later, they are still happily married with 7 grandchildren.
Paul’s biggest passion became turkey hunting. He started chasing turkeys at age 13 and 59 years later, his love of the sport hasn’t diminished one ounce.
The art of calling is what has made him one of the premiere turkey callers in the country for many years. Paul got into competition calling in the late 70’s and has won over 250 competitions from all over the country. To name a few of some of his most decorated wins, 8-time New York State champion, The Levi Garrett All American Open, The Master’s Championship, 6-time US Open Championship champion, and 3-time NWTF Grand National Championship champion in ‘85, ‘86 and ‘88.
Paul also competed and won 4 Grand National Owl Hooting Championships. Along the way Paul also guided many turkey hunters and introduced many people, including lots of children, to the sport of turkey hunting and the “how to’s”
Paul is also an accomplished 8-year Elk guide in the Sellway Bitteroot region of Idaho and has called and competed in that sport as well.
He has hunted from the Rocky Mountains to the swamps of Alabama. He has traveled all over Canada, Africa, and Hungry hunting and filming for TV shows.
Paul started his own game call company in 1986 after working in the call business for 6 years with Quaker Boy Game calls and Ben Lee Calls.
He has guided a number of celebrities including professional ball players, actors, and country music singers through the years and even old cowboys like Roy Rogers. His most rewarding guiding is giving back to the combat veterans who have given so much for the rest of us.
After working with Bob Walker, of the famous Walker’s Game Ear, for many years, Paul became a sales manager for GSM Outdoors when they purchased the Walker brand. 19 years later, Paul still works with the GSM company helping to develop calls and products to help hunters in the field be more successful. GSM Outdoors has truly become family to him.
Through all the hard work and years of hunting turkeys and hours of practice calling turkey’s, Paul’s most prestigious and recent honor in the outdoors was being inducted into the NWTF Hall of Fame in 2020. Being alongside fellow inductees, his mentors, competitors, idols, and especially friends meant the world to him and was an honor that has not been topped and holds a place in his heart.