Bill Zearing Cody Calls is on YouTube doing a podcast with Mossy Oak Gamekeeper sharing the story of Cody Calls if any of you are interested.
Mossy Oak Gamekeeper Podcast
Bill Said he still has number 1 Cody Call
Ha! I bet that makes the guy that brought thar $1,300 feel great!
I watched it today it was pretty good
Great podcast with Bill
N..KY call and scolding turkeys ... Awesome
He was talking about the very first call he made. Made years before the call that was sold the other day. The man that sold the #1 Spec 1 Legend has the #2, and #3 calls of that series as well. The call wss legit and the buyer knew it
Neat interview.
Yet, not a WORD about the business being completely unacessible... :(
Quote from: Yoder409 on March 05, 2025, 08:29:55 AMNeat interview.
Yet, not a WORD about the business being completely unacessible... :(
THIS...
You can damn near get a Buice Horn easier than a cody call i guess thats the aftermarket price increase
I gave it a listen yesterday. They talked about how he made videos on how to use a pot call. Mentioning he moves both hands. I can't find any references to this. Any one know where I can find his instructional videos?
Quote from: Ranger on March 05, 2025, 07:00:20 AMHe was talking about the very first call he made. Made years before the call that was sold the other day. The man that sold the #1 Spec 1 Legend has the #2, and #3 calls of that series as well. The call wss legit and the buyer knew it
Correct again Ranger :z-winnersmiley:
Quote from: Yoder409 on March 05, 2025, 08:29:55 AMNeat interview.
Yet, not a WORD about the business being completely unacessible... :(
Yes indeed. Let folks know where we stand for crying out loud.
:z-winnersmiley:
You know Zobo, there's a like button now that you can hit. You don't have to quote the post "we have a winner" any more. Yes Zobo, I know that, but where's the fun in it? Reminds me of stupid Facebook. Wake up and get with the times Zobo!
Sorry, but I need my beauty sleep 😴
I had the video years ago and lent it to a buddy never to be seen again! It was very instructional and had a few hunts with Bill also.
Quote from: Yoder409 on March 05, 2025, 08:29:55 AMNeat interview.
Yet, not a WORD about the business being completely unacessible... :(
Did you ever get your call back from them?
Quote from: redwad on March 05, 2025, 10:08:19 AMI gave it a listen yesterday. They talked about how he made videos on how to use a pot call. Mentioning he moves both hands. I can't find any references to this. Any one know where I can find his instructional videos?
His Facebook page, shows him running some calls
Quote from: JeffC on March 05, 2025, 11:39:31 AMQuote from: Yoder409 on March 05, 2025, 08:29:55 AMNeat interview.
Yet, not a WORD about the business being completely unacessible... :(
Did you ever get your call back from them?
No.
I tried calling a couple times, today, again. No go.
Pretty frustrating.
Quote from: Yoder409 on March 05, 2025, 09:02:00 PMQuote from: JeffC on March 05, 2025, 11:39:31 AMQuote from: Yoder409 on March 05, 2025, 08:29:55 AMNeat interview.
Yet, not a WORD about the business being completely unacessible... :(
Did you ever get your call back from them?
No.
I tried calling a couple times, today, again. No go.
Pretty frustrating.
That's crazy! At this point they are choosing not to respond.
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I tried calling a couple times, today, again. No go.
Pretty frustrating.
This is so unacceptable it actually angers me. What's wrong with this company?
For those that have a Cody, do they really sound much different than the plethora of excellent pots available today?
Quote from: ScottE on March 05, 2025, 09:49:26 PMFor those that have a Cody, do they really sound much different than the plethora of excellent pots available today?
Depends on which Cody call you have in the pot calls... Some are laminated pot calls, walnut pot calls and heart pine pot Slate / Glass ... Boxes are walnut, cherry and chestnut
One of my favorites is the Woodman Fatwood and striker
Quote from: ScottE on March 05, 2025, 09:49:26 PMFor those that have a Cody, do they really sound much different than the plethora of excellent pots available today?
I've got a spec 1 and I sold a woodsman last year, both are definitely above average calls but I would not consider them on another level compared to calls coming from reputable custom call makers today. I was rather disappointed bill not giving updates to the company. I've been on the list for a call for a couple years now and Im indifferent to whether I get it or not at this point but there seems to be quite a few people on here that do deserve an answer to what's been going on with them
I totally understand and sympathize with the health struggles. I do.
But, for there to be no way to communicate.... No real updates. They do have a Facebook page where something could be said...
Closing in on 2 years my call has been "in for repair". I'd just like to be able to talk to someone there.
Quote from: ScottE on March 05, 2025, 09:49:26 PMFor those that have a Cody, do they really sound much different than the plethora of excellent pots available today?
I've got one my brother gave me as a kid, I carried it the first 10 or 12 years I turkey hunted and for that reason I keep it. It sounds like a turkey, but not any more so than my hunter specialties calls from the same time period or my M.A.D. Calls from that time and is in no way comparable in sound quality or tone with either of my David Halloran calls, or my Roger Parks call, or my Enticer calls or several others I can pull out. I feel that they are selling for what they do based on the nostalgia factor and make believe hype. But in my very limited experience with the one that I have, I wouldn't buy another and certainly not for the 500 to 1,500$ that they're bringing second hand.
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Quote from: ScottTaulbee on March 06, 2025, 02:34:46 AMQuote from: ScottE on March 05, 2025, 09:49:26 PMFor those that have a Cody, do they really sound much different than the plethora of excellent pots available today?
I've got one my brother gave me as a kid, I carried it the first 10 or 12 years I turkey hunted and for that reason I keep it. It sounds like a turkey, but not any more so than my hunter specialties calls from the same time period or my M.A.D. Calls from that time and is in no way comparable in sound quality or tone with either of my David Halloran calls, or my Roger Parks call, or my Enticer calls or several others I can pull out. I feel that they are selling for what they do based on the nostalgia factor and make believe hype. But in my very limited experience with the one that I have, I wouldn't buy another and certainly not for the 500 to 1,500$ that they're bringing second hand.
A couple things that are playing into the strong prices on Cody calls right now....
1. Perceived, future availability. Folks are realizing that the supply of new calls MAY be winding down. FOMO (fear of missing out) is a thing and it's a thing people will pay big money to avoid.
2. Future collectibility value. Maybe Cody calls do sound better than any other friction call out there. Maybe not. BUT.... Bill Zearing was THE #1 innovator of the wooden pot friction call. Just like Neil Cost was the innovator of the one-piece, checkered box call and the boat paddle. I've run a couple of Neil's boxes enough to know there are other guys who match him or beat him at his own design. BUT.... they aren't Neil. Their calls sell for 5X or 10X less than an original Cost.
I bought my first Cody back in the 90's from a country hardware store. The owner was a friend of Bill Zerings. The call at the time sounded better than any pot call I had heard. The call had a part come loose inside. I called Bill, he replaced no questions asked and told me about the new Spec 1 that he just developed. I bought one, #168, the year was 1994. It cost $75 dollars. To this day, I carry a Cody, whether it's a Spec 1, World Class etc with me. In my experience, turkeys will respond to my Cody's most of the time. I do use other pots occasionally, but always go back to a Cody. No doubt there are a plethora of fantastic pot calls out there from great call makers. Cody is truly a great call, their boxes are fine too. I wish Bill and his wife the best, hopefully they battle through their health issues and get back to producing their fine calls once again.
Quote from: ScottE on March 05, 2025, 09:49:26 PMFor those that have a Cody, do they really sound much different than the plethora of excellent pots available today?
Exact question I ask myself about any of these discussions. I understand the call-collector mind-set a lot of folks have, but anybody that thinks that a certain call brand will make a difference in their hunting success is looking in the wrong direction as to what they should be focusing on.
There are a lot more important factors in turkey-hunting success than the sound of any one kind of call. There are a lot of pot calls out there that will call in gobblers...and many of them are a lot less expensive and a lot more available than others.
But hey, if jumping through hoops to get a certain call "because you just have to have it" is anybody's thing,...go for it! :icon_thumright: :)
Quote from: Tom007 on March 06, 2025, 06:43:25 AMI bought my first Cody back in the 90's from a country hardware store. The owner was a friend of Bill Zerings. The call at the time sounded better than any pot call I had heard. The call had a part come loose inside. I called Bill, he replaced no questions asked and told me about the new Spec 1 that he just developed. I bought one, #168, the year was 1994. It cost $75 dollars. To this day, I carry a Cody, whether it's a Spec 1, World Class etc with me. In my experience, turkeys will respond to my Cody's most of the time. I do use other pots occasionally, but always go back to a Cody. No doubt there are a plethora of fantastic pot calls out there from great call makers. Cody is truly a great call, their boxes are fine too. I wish Bill and his wife the best, hopefully they battle through their health issues and get back to producing their fine calls once again.
Same here have all Codys top calls and world class slate has killed more than any other calls i used and I use a ton in 35 years.
Quote from: GobbleNut on March 06, 2025, 09:06:17 AMQuote from: ScottE on March 05, 2025, 09:49:26 PMFor those that have a Cody, do they really sound much different than the plethora of excellent pots available today?
Exact question I ask myself about any of these discussions. I understand the call-collector mind-set a lot of folks have, but anybody that thinks that a certain call brand will make a difference in their hunting success is looking in the wrong direction as to what they should be focusing on.
There are a lot more important factors in turkey-hunting success than the sound of any one kind of call. There are a lot of pot calls out there that will call in gobblers...and many of them are a lot less expensive and a lot more available than others.
But hey, if jumping through hoops to get a certain call "because you just have to have it" is anybody's thing,...go for it! :icon_thumright: :)
I concur. If you give a really good turkey hunter most any call he may not sound as good...but he's still going to kill turkeys.
That said, I have a couple Cody calls bought years ago and they sound turkey...but so do several other pots I have.
I carry the Cody Woodsman it was given to me from a good friend its gotten a couple gobblers. All depends on what the Gobblers wanna hear that day, :firefighter:
Quote from: GobbleNut on March 06, 2025, 09:06:17 AMQuote from: ScottE on March 05, 2025, 09:49:26 PMFor those that have a Cody, do they really sound much different than the plethora of excellent pots available today?
anybody that thinks that a certain call brand will make a difference in their hunting success is looking in the wrong direction
I have desirable high end calls from lots of famous makers. I love turkey calls, it a big part of the appeal of turkey hunting for me. But if you think any particular maker has unlocked a secret magic sound, you're kidding yourself.
I've called in turkeys with a rusty winch, and once using the bottom of an old aluminum pot with the butt end of a wooden spoon as a striker 😊
One thing to remember is that it's just him and his wife. Unfortunately she's battling cancer. And Bill is 72 years old now.
Quote from: Chad Snyder on March 06, 2025, 06:07:59 PMOne thing to remember is that it's just him and his wife. Unfortunately she's battling cancer. And Bill is 72 years old now.
Yep.
That's why I refuse to be upset or angry. :icon_thumright:
Quote from: Chad Snyder on March 06, 2025, 06:07:59 PMOne thing to remember is that it's just him and his wife. Unfortunately she's battling cancer. And Bill is 72 years old now.
Yes, But that's when you say "guys I'm retiring" because there are ultimately greater, more important things to attend to in life.
what was he saying in that interview about the type of wood he uses for those pots? laminate something
im glad he agreed with what i always said that slate and hickory stikers are supreme.
he also mentioned something about 20 thousand calls a year?? with no website??
huh??? how! lol
Quote from: kytrkyhntr on March 07, 2025, 08:41:42 AMwhat was he saying in that interview about the type of wood he uses for those pots? laminate something
im glad he agreed with what i always said that slate and hickory stikers are supreme.
he also mentioned something about 20 thousand calls a year?? with no website??
huh??? how! lol
I think for a while he made the calls redhead bass pro branded calls
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Quote from: ScottTaulbee on March 07, 2025, 08:42:46 AMQuote from: kytrkyhntr on March 07, 2025, 08:41:42 AMhe also mentioned something about 20 thousand calls a year?? with no website??
huh??? how! lol
I think for a while he made the calls redhead bass pro branded calls
Let's see, 20,000 calls a year equals 55 calls a day. I would like to see any individual make 55 "custom-made" calls a day. :angel9:
If he/they were putting out that many calls at some point, they certainly would not be considered to be custom-made...and I doubt seriously the quality control for each call would be there.
...Then again, maybe he wears a blue cape and has a big red S on his chest... ;D :D
Quote from: GobbleNut on March 07, 2025, 09:20:15 AMQuote from: ScottTaulbee on March 07, 2025, 08:42:46 AMQuote from: kytrkyhntr on March 07, 2025, 08:41:42 AMhe also mentioned something about 20 thousand calls a year?? with no website??
huh??? how! lol
I think for a while he made the calls redhead bass pro branded calls
Let's see, 20,000 calls a year equals 55 calls a day. I would like to see any individual make 55 "custom-made" calls a day. :angel9:
If he/they were putting out that many calls at some point, they certainly would not be considered to be custom-made...and I doubt seriously the quality control for each call would be there.
...Then again, maybe he wears a blue cape and has a big red S on his chest... ;D :D
He said that he doesn't consider himself a custom maker but an innovator
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Quote from: ScottTaulbee on March 07, 2025, 09:28:31 AMHe said that he doesn't consider himself a custom maker but an innovator
Whatever he considers himself to be, he has certainly made a name for himself, and his calls, based on the hype and praise he receives from just about everybody. I'm not surprised that a lot of folks are trying to get ahold of his calls. :icon_thumright:
he loved him some him lol that was the big takeaway for me
Quote from: kytrkyhntr on March 07, 2025, 10:00:30 AMhe loved him some him lol that was the big takeaway for me
Same, he was very arrogant on the podcast and the mossy oak guys just kept feeding it to him lol
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If I had accomplished just a little of what Bill has accomplished in his designs and innovations with his pot calls along with inventing a machine to press lamination of the woods outer wall of a pot call with a wood sound board inside the pot when others were still putting slate in plastic pots, I would pump my chest and be a little arrogant myself in all my innovations.
For myself, I enjoy him sharing the history and knowledge with his innovations in designing a wood pot call.
I didn't get the feeling he was arrogant at all. IMO
Bill started out in a call market and time when it was hard just to make a living and support a family on selling calls in the 30 - 100 price range, so I take my hat off to him and his wife and I give them both a big round of applause. If it wasn't for people like Bill and others we would have the calls we have today. IMO
Quote from: Greg Massey on March 07, 2025, 10:49:27 AMIf I had accomplished just a little of what Bill has accomplished in his designs and innovations with his pot calls along with inventing a machine to press lamination of the woods outer wall of a pot call with a wood sound board inside the pot when others were still putting slate in plastic pots, I would pump my chest and be a little arrogant myself in all my innovations.
For myself, I enjoy him sharing the history and knowledge with his innovations in designing a wood pot call.
I didn't get the feeling he was arrogant at all. IMO
Bill started out in a call market and time when it was hard just to make a living and support a family on selling calls in the 30 - 100 price range, so I take my hat off to him and his wife and I give them both a big round of applause. If it wasn't for people like Bill and others we would have the calls we have today. IMO
Agreed Greg. I respect what he has done, definitely a pioneer in the pot call arena. Cody pot calls no doubt helped me during my career in the turkey woods and for that I am grateful. I also respect the fact that when he was selling his calls lately, he did not take advantage of the exorbitant prices we are all seeing on EBAY.