Turkey hunting forum for turkey hunting tips

Turkey Calls => Box Calls => Topic started by: TJ3152 on March 15, 2023, 03:37:53 PM

Title: Long Box Thoughts
Post by: TJ3152 on March 15, 2023, 03:37:53 PM
Who all uses a long box a good bit during the spring season? I got one from Marlin Watkins a couple of years ago and I use it on just about every hunt. I assume I may be in the minority on this, but curious what others think. Thanks for your comments!
Title: Re: Long Box Thoughts
Post by: packmule on March 15, 2023, 03:40:42 PM
Best post of the year  :TooFunny:
I always carry a longbox, it is my best turkey hunting tool.  Unmatched versatility.
Title: Re: Long Box Thoughts
Post by: Notsoyoungturk on March 15, 2023, 03:46:29 PM
I have a Steve Mann Cedar over Yellow Poplar that is always with me.  This call seems to always get a response.
Title: Re: Long Box Thoughts
Post by: paboxcall on March 15, 2023, 03:48:11 PM
Best post of the year  :TooFunny:
I always carry a longbox, it is my best turkey hunting tool.  Unmatched versatility.

 :agreed:

Snodgrass special in a Yoder holster, always on my belt.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/4748/26479256248_1c17fc76a6_c.jpg)
Title: Re: Long Box Thoughts
Post by: rong on March 15, 2023, 03:51:10 PM
My favorite call to use! Many hunts are just the long box and an easy to run mouth call in case I can't finish the deal with the box.
Title: Re: Long Box Thoughts
Post by: Will on March 15, 2023, 08:28:55 PM
I carry one on every hunt whether it’s Spring, Fall or Winter season. I’ve been carrying a Watkins Yellowheart over Black Limba the past few years and it has been the key to a few hunts. That box was used on 2 hunts this past Spring and was the demise of 2 birds.

What combo Watkins do you have?
Title: Re: Long Box Thoughts
Post by: turkey stew on March 15, 2023, 09:20:30 PM
My favorite is a SSCustom maple over butternut. Always gets the gobblers fired up!

Title: Re: Long Box Thoughts
Post by: Zobo on March 15, 2023, 10:07:52 PM
I love them, very versatile calls that can do so much in the right hands
Title: Re: Long Box Thoughts
Post by: Yoder409 on March 15, 2023, 10:10:19 PM
Thoughts ??

I think I have a couple of them.

Did somebody say "hunting with a Watkins fiddle paddle" ??  Sounds like a good idea !!   :toothy9:

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51102301960_2a9911100f_b.jpg)
Title: Re: Long Box Thoughts
Post by: Tyoung on March 15, 2023, 11:51:27 PM
Halloran Ipe over Black Limba and I roll together on nearly every hunt……
Title: Re: Long Box Thoughts
Post by: GuideGun on March 16, 2023, 04:33:48 PM
I much prefer a high quality long box over a short box. I'm at the point now of considering selling my short boxes and picking up another high quality long box. Better range of sounds and more versatile. A short box and paddle ride just the same in my Glenda Green satchel so transporting them is a moot point.
Title: Re: Long Box Thoughts
Post by: Sir-diealot on March 18, 2023, 06:32:22 AM
I use both a long and a short, depends on the day. Sometimes I will change up between longboxes, I have 4 to choose from and I try to get them all some action. The same goes for the short boxes.
Title: Re: Long Box Thoughts
Post by: Tarheel on March 18, 2023, 08:55:03 PM
This boatpaddle style long box has been the cause of death of a fair number of old gobblers......
Title: Re: Long Box Thoughts
Post by: Brwndg on March 18, 2023, 11:40:52 PM
I carry a lot of short boxes, but carry the Halloran Longbox a lot. I have both of his, the Ipe/Black Limba & the Ebony/Black Limba wood.  I prefer the Ebony paddled call.
Extremely versatile call and always gets ‘em gobbling. And it really pisses off a hen that has locked down a Tom.
Title: Re: Long Box Thoughts
Post by: Yoder409 on March 19, 2023, 09:29:35 AM
This boatpaddle style long box has been the cause of death of a fair number of old gobblers......

Don Chancey ??
Title: Re: Long Box Thoughts
Post by: Tarheel on March 19, 2023, 09:21:52 PM

Don Chancey ??


No, this is a boatpaddle long box I built....when nothing else in my hunting vest works, this does.  My youngest son, who turkey hunts with me, has told me if I don't leave him any other turkey call he wants this one.
Title: Re: Long Box Thoughts
Post by: packmule on March 19, 2023, 11:30:21 PM

Don Chancey ??


No, this is a boatpaddle long box I built....when nothing else in my hunting vest works, this does.  My youngest son, who turkey hunts with me, has told me if I don't leave him any other turkey call he wants this one.

Would be great to see better pics. Looks like some great artwork on that call and a very nice design.
Title: Re: Long Box Thoughts
Post by: Bowguy on March 20, 2023, 01:54:14 AM
Imo there zero reason to carry a short box. Longbox does it all and more better.
Title: Re: Long Box Thoughts
Post by: Yoder409 on March 20, 2023, 06:27:02 AM

Don Chancey ??


No, this is a boatpaddle long box I built....when nothing else in my hunting vest works, this does.  My youngest son, who turkey hunts with me, has told me if I don't leave him any other turkey call he wants this one.



Would be great to see better pics. Looks like some great artwork on that call and a very nice design.

Agreed !!!!!

That is a BEAUTIFUL call !!!!!!
Title: Re: Long Box Thoughts
Post by: btodd00 on March 20, 2023, 10:03:24 AM
Halloran Ipe over Black Limba and I roll together on nearly every hunt……

Is the halloran smaller than other long boxes? I saw a video of him using it and it looked small compared to some I have seen
Title: Re: Long Box Thoughts
Post by: NCSWAMPFOX on March 20, 2023, 10:39:51 AM
nice looking single shot in photo as well!
Title: Re: Long Box Thoughts
Post by: Bringintheh2o on March 20, 2023, 11:44:32 AM
This is a subject I am finding very interesting. I started turkey hunting within the last 10 years after retiring. I hunt a lot by myself so everything I have learned is thru trial and error, watching videos, reading anything I can find and of course all of the available information on this site. I have a nice assortment of probably every type of call from some quality callmakers. I have always thought of a longbox as a call for striking birds but now I see it as a call to pretty much call a bird right to the gun. I have two long boxes from Roger Parks and a longbox from Jeff White which I definitely will be concentrating my efforts on more this season. I also recently learned the value of kee-keeing in the spring also. I always thought of that as a fall hunting call primarily. I really appreciate all of the opinions and advice this forum provides.
Title: Re: Long Box Thoughts
Post by: Rtr1987 on March 20, 2023, 04:02:04 PM
This is a subject I am finding very interesting. I started turkey hunting within the last 10 years after retiring. I hunt a lot by myself so everything I have learned is thru trial and error, watching videos, reading anything I can find and of course all of the available information on this site. I have a nice assortment of probably every type of call from some quality callmakers. I have always thought of a longbox as a call for striking birds but now I see it as a call to pretty much call a bird right to the gun. I have two long boxes from Roger Parks and a longbox from Jeff White which I definitely will be concentrating my efforts on more this season. I also recently learned the value of kee-keeing in the spring also. I always thought of that as a fall hunting call primarily. I really appreciate all of the opinions and advice this forum provides.

Those Roger Parks longboxes are the best Ive run for finishing a bird as well. Just great calls!
Title: Re: Long Box Thoughts
Post by: Yoder409 on March 21, 2023, 11:27:55 AM
nice looking single shot in photo as well!

If you're referring to the single shot in my pic............

I have almost as much money in the fiddle paddle as I do the gun.   :TooFunny:

But, thank you.  It's an integral part of my K.I.S.S system and it IS a turkey hammer.
Title: Re: Long Box Thoughts
Post by: Cut N Run on March 24, 2023, 06:22:32 PM
I've killed way more turkeys with a long box than a short box. I only own one short box and that's a Hustlin' Hen by Billy White.  I love how well the long box works in windy conditions and at striking birds.  Even though I've used it from start to finish, I don't use it much for close work to minimize movement.  They definitely talk the talk.

Jim
Title: Re: Long Box Thoughts
Post by: chbarnha on March 24, 2023, 11:46:02 PM
Thoughts ??

I think I have a couple of them.

Did somebody say "hunting with a Watkins fiddle paddle" ??  Sounds like a good idea !!   :toothy9:

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51102301960_2a9911100f_b.jpg)
That gun is phenomenal! Boyd’s stocks or original? Also interested in getting two of your box call holsters one for a fiddle paddle and one for a fiddlebox.


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Title: Re: Long Box Thoughts
Post by: Yoder409 on March 25, 2023, 06:21:40 AM
Thoughts ??

I think I have a couple of them.

Did somebody say "hunting with a Watkins fiddle paddle" ??  Sounds like a good idea !!   :toothy9:

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51102301960_2a9911100f_b.jpg)
That gun is phenomenal! Boyd’s stocks or original? Also interested in getting two of your box call holsters one for a fiddle paddle and one for a fiddlebox.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thank you, sir !!

The stock is OEM equipment.  The laminates were a little on the uncommon side.  Most of them were on limited edition NWTF guns (and most of those were youth .410s).  This one's not one of those.  Kinda an oddball.  But a great shooter.

I'll PM ya on the holsters. 
Title: Re: Long Box Thoughts
Post by: PalmettoRon on March 25, 2023, 08:58:54 AM
Use a TJ Johnson long box often, fall and spring. It has ALL the turkey sounds. Have found jake yelps which are easy to run on it often seal the deal when the gobbler is interested in the hen, but is hesitant to come in.

The long box also has the ability to sound like a young hen, middle of the road hen and an old raspy hen.

Title: Re: Long Box Thoughts
Post by: Yoder409 on March 25, 2023, 10:15:36 AM
TJ builds a NASTY good fiddle box !!!!

Yep.
Title: Re: Long Box Thoughts
Post by: mountainhunter1 on March 25, 2023, 12:52:09 PM
Imo there zero reason to carry a short box. Longbox does it all and more better.

I really cannot argue with that thought brother. Even better if you also have a scratch box in the vest with the longbox.  ;)
Title: Re: Long Box Thoughts
Post by: mountainhunter1 on March 25, 2023, 01:01:03 PM
I picked up a beautiful bloodwood over butternut long box at Unicoi 2023 this past January from Marlin that was likely (based on what he said) the best of what he had on the table. Could have sold it several times before I left and even again in the parking lot. It is just beyond full of turkey. I said I would just put it up to keep, but more and more I am thinking it is going to the woods.

I have a bunch of short boxes and they sound great, but there is just something about a long box that sounds a tad more like a hen from a distance in the woods. Most long boxes (at least to me), just seem to run a bit higher pitched, but they have that live hen sound from several hundred yards somewhat more than most shortboxes when I hear them ran in hunting situations.

Seems that so many think that a long box is harder to run than a short box. Call me crazy, but I have always felt that all things being equal, the long box is easier to run than a short box. 

Title: Re: Long Box Thoughts
Post by: mountainhunter1 on March 25, 2023, 01:03:30 PM
Thoughts ??

I think I have a couple of them.

Did somebody say "hunting with a Watkins fiddle paddle" ??  Sounds like a good idea !!   :toothy9:

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51102301960_2a9911100f_b.jpg)

Nice Bird, even nicer box, and man that gun is just plain awesome.

I too need a longbox holster if you can work me in please sir.
Title: Re: Long Box Thoughts
Post by: mspaci on March 25, 2023, 04:31:14 PM
I usually have an Ernie Fetters bloodwood over wormy chestnut, called many w it, and I also carry an Eddleman stribbling call that calls e up, I guess not technically a long box but the gobbler side is phenomenal. You can do anything w it. Mike
Title: Re: Long Box Thoughts
Post by: Yoder409 on March 25, 2023, 08:32:58 PM

Nice Bird, even nicer box, and man that gun is just plain awesome.

I too need a longbox holster if you can work me in please sir.

Thanks for the kind words, sir !!

PM'ed ya !!
Title: Re: Long Box Thoughts
Post by: jwp0020 on March 30, 2023, 03:48:11 PM
The old school Camp Caller’s Screamin’ Hen (2004 and before) is hard to beat in my opinion.  The thin lid is what separated it from others.  After Doug died and they started making them with thick lids, they weren’t the same.  Donnie Gallahar broke away from Camp Caller’s a little over a year ago and made some up the way they used to.  I got one and it sounded pretty close to the way the old ones sounded.  Still hard to beat the long boxes from 2004 and before. 
Title: Re: Long Box Thoughts
Post by: TJ3152 on March 31, 2023, 12:17:08 AM
My Marlin Watkins longbox is yellowheart over black gum. It has six or seven different turkeys in it. It also has an x marked on the inside where Marlin told me this box made it to the final cut of Nationals calling contest the year I bought it. It’s definitely a killer!
Title: Re: Long Box Thoughts
Post by: 357MAGNOLE on April 03, 2023, 10:32:56 PM
How do I get ahold of Marlin Watkins? Can't find contact info anywhere. Thanks
Title: Re: Long Box Thoughts
Post by: ManfromGreenSwamp on April 03, 2023, 10:45:39 PM
How do I get ahold of Marlin Watkins? Can't find contact info anywhere. Thanks
Facebook


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Title: Re: Long Box Thoughts
Post by: ManfromGreenSwamp on April 03, 2023, 10:49:51 PM
When not using pot calls, all I personally use are long boxes. All the makers…all cedar over butternut. Adore them.


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Title: Re: Long Box Thoughts
Post by: Wvgobbler on April 05, 2023, 07:56:42 PM
My favorite is a SSCustom maple over butternut. Always gets the gobblers fired up!
I will second this!!! My SS maple over butternut is my favorite long box I own. Never leave home without it.
Title: Re: Long Box Thoughts
Post by: Notsoyoungturk on April 06, 2023, 05:21:56 PM
This South Carolina gobbler thought my Steve Mann Cedar over Poplar was his lady love.
Title: Re: Long Box Thoughts
Post by: Lcmacd 58 on April 17, 2023, 07:48:12 AM
Started using a DH this season
Wont leave home without it
Title: Re: Long Box Thoughts
Post by: packmule on April 17, 2023, 09:14:00 AM
This South Carolina gobbler thought my Steve Mann Cedar over Poplar was his lady love.

That is a turkey killer, great call.
Title: Re: Long Box Thoughts
Post by: shatcher on April 21, 2023, 08:37:17 AM
x3.  Awesome call
Title: Re: Long Box Thoughts
Post by: ManfromGreenSwamp on April 21, 2023, 09:19:24 AM
Do yourself a favor and buy one from every maker. (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20230421/7d33c11d0f5fb19f3f568a9c6334b989.jpg)


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Title: Re: Long Box Thoughts
Post by: Dazzler on April 22, 2023, 12:01:04 PM
Does anyone have experience with Persimmon Hills longboxes from Mr Shelley?

I see them on eBay at reasonable prices. All I can find on the internet are reviews of his pots. His bloodwood over wormy black limba looks nice.
Title: Re: Long Box Thoughts
Post by: Haggstromjohnd on June 11, 2023, 07:46:20 PM
I have a Steve Mann Cedar over Yellow Poplar that is always with me.  This call seems to always get a response.

I have a Steve Mann field grade currently and am on the list for a longbox. Pumped!