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Turkey Calls => Scratch Box Forum => Topic started by: ChesterCopperpot on February 06, 2023, 11:39:56 AM

Title: Turkey Trotters
Post by: ChesterCopperpot on February 06, 2023, 11:39:56 AM
This is an ode to what I consider one of the most overlooked and under appreciated calls, especially in the scratch box world. Here’s a small group of Turkey Trotters I’ve collected. I’ve got a pre patent mulberry call from 1999, a patent pending paulownia call from 1999 that was made for Ves Kyle with wood provided by Curtis Terrell (all three callmakers in Mickel’s second book), a cedar and walnut patented call from 2000, a mahogany and walnut patented call from 2001, and an all walnut numbered patent call from 2003. If you’ve never played one, they really are wonderful callers. Most have the slate striker. Only one I have that is a solid wood striker is the paulownia. Nice thing about the slate ones is that they give you two striker choices, the slate on the front or the wood on the back. Just thought I’d share some a few of you might appreciate.
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20230206/c59f840d246fd63ffdc325ff69af740a.jpg)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20230206/6fc90c9dee6ac7c8a7e5ac41f0ea5f15.jpg)


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Title: Re: Turkey Trotters
Post by: packmule on February 06, 2023, 12:10:25 PM
A ton of thoughtful design options in those + great craftsmanship!  I'm curious, do you ever feel limited by the length of the leather tether? 
Title: Re: Turkey Trotters
Post by: ChesterCopperpot on February 06, 2023, 12:25:26 PM
A ton of thoughtful design options in those + great craftsmanship!  I'm curious, do you ever feel limited by the length of the leather tether?
The one I play the most is that paulownia and it’s got the shortest of all. Doesn’t bother me, but I’m not all that good on a scratch box and this is mainly the call I learned on. I could see it maybe bothering folks who were really proficient and had a certain style of play. The length on the others is pretty long, though, so maybe not. I love how the strikers fit so snuggly in the box, and how they’re basically just a shirt pocket design. Great sound on all of them.


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Title: Re: Turkey Trotters
Post by: packmule on February 06, 2023, 12:39:02 PM
Thank you, good info.
Yes, I totally agree about the striker fitting in the box.  Also, having slate and wood playing surfaces is big bonus.  Really enjoyed seeing those, thanks for posting.
Title: Re: Turkey Trotters
Post by: callmakerman on February 06, 2023, 03:26:54 PM
Love Charlie's work and always wanted one of his scratch boxes. I own three now in walnut, maple and mahogany. He always thinks outside the box and his craftsmanship on all his calls looks and sounds amazing.
Title: Re: Turkey Trotters
Post by: Zobo on February 06, 2023, 07:32:56 PM
Very cool, awesome calls!
Title: Re: Turkey Trotters
Post by: richard black on February 07, 2023, 07:41:25 AM
Wow those are real beauties for sure. Glad you hunt them too as that’s what they’re made for.
Title: Re: Turkey Trotters
Post by: 3bailey3 on February 07, 2023, 12:41:13 PM
Those are some very nice callers, thanks for sharing!
Title: Re: Turkey Trotters
Post by: crow on February 07, 2023, 08:43:50 PM
Cool looking scratchers, I think that body feather on the walnut is one of the nicest feathers I've seen
Title: Re: Turkey Trotters
Post by: Yoder409 on February 12, 2023, 08:52:40 AM
Very nice calls !!!!!!
Title: Re: Turkey Trotters
Post by: Sir-diealot on February 12, 2023, 09:18:08 AM
Those are some neat calls, love seeing all the different ways the makers come up with making scratch boxes or other calls for that matter. Would love to hear them sometime.
Title: Re: Turkey Trotters
Post by: Hevishot 13 on March 22, 2023, 02:17:00 PM
I’m not familiar with this type of call. Can you lay one out so I can get a better description of it? I never knew these existed and now you have peeked my interest. Similar to a scratch box I presume, but, is the “box” of this call truly a box? Or merely a thick single piece of wood?
Title: Re: Turkey Trotters
Post by: Sir-diealot on March 22, 2023, 03:17:49 PM
Those are some nice looking calls. I have one part of a scratch box call and I lost the other, the striker part is much like the strikers there with the slate at the side of the wood and not on the flat, I wish the guy was still in business, it was the easiest to play scratch box I have ever had and had some of the best sound of any that I have ever played as well. I sure wish I could find someone to make me a striker for it.
Title: Re: Turkey Trotters
Post by: mountainhunter1 on April 05, 2023, 12:43:31 PM
That's a nice flock of hens!
Title: Re: Turkey Trotters
Post by: KentuckyHeadhunter on April 11, 2023, 07:17:28 AM
I've got one in hackberry made for Mike Battey.  Great calls and a great callmaker
Title: Re: Turkey Trotters
Post by: Lcmacd 58 on April 21, 2023, 10:01:49 PM
Nothing better than a gorgeous call you hunt with
Title: Re: Turkey Trotters
Post by: MattM on May 10, 2023, 05:33:52 PM
Is he still making calls.
Title: Re: Turkey Trotters
Post by: KentuckyHeadhunter on May 23, 2023, 05:06:58 PM
Is he still making calls.


Trumpets mostly.  He just invented a new design also.  He's on Facebook.