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I have heard it referred to with a small group of callmakers now and then, somewhat loosely by some and others have stated it with more conviction.  What in your opinion 'qualifies' a callmaker without naming names, as a legend or legendary?  Some may be historic, some may be quite recent and some may already be gone, but to the point, what are the criteria/qualifications/skills, as you see them, that place a callmaker into such a status position?  For me, I don't believe because a certain callmaker has built say 1,000 calls or perhaps even more makes them a legend.  Is it awards, is it turkey's killed with their calls, is it something less tangible, but highly "valuable" that they have contributed to callmaking that "elevates" them to this standing?

A part of me wants to say it's when callmakers do things that haven't been done before. Sometimes they're well aware of the history and evolution and take one more step to make something their own. Sometimes they're not intimately aware of that history at all and instead just set their own path. But in both instances they're doing something new. But then I find myself thinking of some callmakers who didn't necessarily add anything new to the conversation but they perfected a certain style of call over the course of a lifetime and that can be equally admirable. All that to say, I'm unsure, but I know the living ones I'd consider in that class and I know the past ones, and in all those cases they fit into one of those three places. They either did something new or did something perfect, and often times both.


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I will go back to the early years of call builders. Back in those days we new very few people in the call building world unless it was some outdoor magazine article about a certain builder or just a close friend of the builder. Now with social media it has really changed the game of finding these call builders and for them selling calls. I agree i don't necessarily know about calling these builders legends or whatever, but i feel reputation over the years plays a big part in who's a step ahead of other call builders. Some of these builders have created new calls and designs, while others have carried on the old traditional style of calls, like in following the Neil Cost designed boxes etc. I have to say some have done a better job in perfecting their craftsmanship in building JUST better calls with sounds and tones. What's also  amazing with buying calls is trying to understand what the call maker was thinking in terms of sounds and tones he was hearing from his calls as the old saying goes the turkey in his head. I think most all call builders hear different turkey sounds as we do in finding the calls we want to hear, hunt and buy. I do think the pioneers of turkey call builders before social media or ever news or magazine articles are the true legends of call builders. As time goes on others will become legendary as they leave their marks in the turkey call building world. I agree with they did something new or did something perfect, and often times both with perfecting outstanding calls in any type. It doesn't necessarily have to be high priced call either. Very interesting post culpeper.

Somebody has to write a song about them,

and no, stuff written on the hunting club bathroom wall does not count.

Greg & Chester....great replies guys and this is precidely the thinking and dialogue I was hoping to read. 

Quote from: crow on August 31, 2021, 02:23:16 PM
Somebody has to write a song about them,

and no, stuff written on the hunting club bathroom wall does not count.

A hen cluck or yelp or a thirsty jake burping / A man can do it all when he learns to run a Turpin


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This is my idea of a legend. #1 the native American that put 2 wing bones together about 8000 years ago and found when he sucked on it it sounded like a turkey. DD Adams,Neil Cost, Simon Everitt,Henry Davis,Henry Gibson,Charles Jordan,Ben Lee,ML Lynch,Archibald Rutledge,Tom Turpin. Davis,Rutledge, more for the writing than calls. Earl Mickel he has done more for the call makers today than anyone. I know I have missed some but all theses people have one thing in common, They are all dead.

I believe a legend in the turkey call arena is someone who has perfected their calls to a level far superior to their peers. The criteria of a legendary call maker incorporates craftsmanship, material, sound, and over-all quality. There are legendary production call makers, as well as legendary custom call makers. A lot of call making success lies in the "ears" of the beholders.  There are many legendary call makers on this forum that we are all lucky to have in our arena, we all know who they are. Be safe, great post....

You licking his boots.

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In addition to their call making abilities I think those that were/are ambassadors for the sport should fit in the category as well.

Quote from: Sir-diealot on September 01, 2021, 02:59:35 PM
In addition to their call making abilities I think those that were/are ambassadors for the sport should fit in the category as well.

I would agree with that.

Quote from: Greg Massey on August 31, 2021, 12:53:56 PM
I will go back to the early years of call builders. Back in those days we new very few people in the call building world unless it was some outdoor magazine article about a certain builder or just a close friend of the builder. Now with social media it has really changed the game of finding these call builders and for them selling calls. I agree i don't necessarily know about calling these builders legends or whatever, but i feel reputation over the years plays a big part in who's a step ahead of other call builders. Some of these builders have created new calls and designs, while others have carried on the old traditional style of calls, like in following the Neil Cost designed boxes etc. I have to say some have done a better job in perfecting their craftsmanship in building JUST better calls with sounds and tones. What's also  amazing with buying calls is trying to understand what the call maker was thinking in terms of sounds and tones he was hearing from his calls as the old saying goes the turkey in his head. I think most all call builders hear different turkey sounds as we do in finding the calls we want to hear, hunt and buy. I do think the pioneers of turkey call builders before social media or ever news or magazine articles are the true legends of call builders. As time goes on others will become legendary as they leave their marks in the turkey call building world. I agree with they did something new or did something perfect, and often times both with perfecting outstanding calls in any type. It doesn't necessarily have to be high priced call either. Very interesting post culpeper.

very well said Mr Massey

If I use one of his calls, he is legendary.  All you call makers who want that status, just send me a free call and by next year, BOOM!, you will be a legendary call maker. :OGani:

Quote from: Sir-diealot on September 01, 2021, 02:59:35 PM
In addition to their call making abilities I think those that were/are ambassadors for the sport should fit in the category as well.

:icon_thumright:

Mark Drury is a call making " legend !!
  He sold thousands of freaking silent dog whistles to turkey hunters , if that ain't legendary?
Then what is ?!?!

I would think that one of the criteria would be handmade. A call that comes out of a CNC machine is like one that is factory produced, just put a piece of material on the red dot ???? , program the machine, and push the button is not it.

A legend: unique, lauded, valued, talented, copied, respected, enduring.

There are several different angles to look at this question.  First, there are the "pioneers" in the development of turkey calls.  These are almost exclusively the older generation of turkey hunters, most of whom are no longer with us, who were the innovators in developing call designs,...and then tweaking those designs to achieve the maximum realism in turkey sounds they could accomplish with the tools and knowledge that they had at the time.  They should be recognized as legends per the definition, even though their initial designs, in many cases have been significantly improved upon by those that followed in their footsteps.

The next group of "legends", in my mind, are those that took the various call designs those innovators came up with and modified them to take that call design to "the next level" of realism in making turkey sounds.  An example, in my mind, might be D.D. Adams who, to my knowledge, was the innovator of the modern "pot call" using two sound boards.  That innovation in pot call design, and the newer call makers that have expanded upon it, are one primary reason why just about any beginning turkey hunter can pick up a call and, within a short time, reproduce just about any sound needed to call in a gobbler.  The same could perhaps be said about Lynch or Cost regarding the box call.  No doubt, folks like them would fall into that "legends" category.

The final class of folks I personally would throw into the "legends" mix are in the "artists" category.  These are those folks that have taken the artistic element of turkey call making to another level.  The "traditional" artwork they combine with the fundamental art of call making is a separate and unique talent that requires a natural ability that, quite frankly, few of us possess,...at least I recognize I don't.  Because of that, I would personally give them a special spot in the "legends" category. 

Finally, there are a few folks (a number of them right here on OG) that have taken the woodworking craft to a level where I look at their calls and say,..."How in the world did they do that?"  I don't know if they are "legends" yet, but they sure as heck have caught my attention,...and earned my respect.    :icon_thumright: :)

My idea of a legend is a guy who makes calls that make hens mad and toms gobble. It doesn't matter what a call looks like, it matters that the call elicits gobbles and mad hens. A mad hen when she comes in drags toms in at times. And a call that is a siren maiden that brings toms in to their deaths, that is a legendary call maker. I have some calls from makers that just make good calls and they could care less about being a legend. They care about calls that make turkeys respond. One guy that comes to mind is Tommy Loboric, I have one long box from him and it gets toms attention. Legends, nothing against them, but in my mind there are unsung call makers out there whose sole passion is capturing the sound, all they care about. Hope you meet one someday. :z-twocents:

A legend in call making is one that makes a considerable difference. One or two metals for an award doesn't make it in call making nor calling. The main reason for this is because it's only a few peoples opinion and politics get involved in that along with another factor such as, the best guy just didn't participate this year so you won.

I believe it is one that really makes a difference. It could be innovative to call making or calling that brings turkeys in. Call makers that really lets you know that person has dedication to the sport, the chase, or the Wild Turkey. The passion. I'm not popular of CNC machining however if one makes a call that puts a quality call and affordable call into turkey hunters hands so they can enjoy the sport then they are a legend imo. Not everyone can afford to get on the call makers list that has made a million calls and pay 200-300.00 for them. Some of these call makers are good but pricey doesn't make them a legend. I've put my hands on some expensive calls that I wouldn't hunt with nor did they consistently sound good and I've bought a cheap call and killed a turkey. The call maker that will talk to anyone about turkey, not just the guy that wants to spend money or has a huge farm to hunt on. Familiar with the history of the wild turkey.

L- likes turkey
E- eye for the chase
G- good person
E- evidence in knowledge of the sport
N- nothing to hide
D- dedicated

Just my thoughts.


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