Turkey hunting forum for turkey hunting tips

There was a thread started in the pot call forum on the top 5 pot call makers so I thoghr I would start this one.
Richard hudson
Lamar williams
Marlin watkins
Darren dawkins
Al shoemaker
Not in no particular order. I will add matt fulkson.

Watkins
Shoemaker's
Hudson
Paul
Fetters

Paul
Fulkerson
Dawkins
Watkins

     mike lapp
    scott  basehore
    irving  whit
    jeff  mckamey
    steve mann

add Scott Witter

+ Dan Wittenberg

If I had to be pinned down to 5...................

Dawkins
Williams
Mann
Watkins
Whitt

I am not sure if you could narrow a top 5 for box calls
Marlin Watkins
Lamar Williams
Scott Bashore
Mike Lapp
Al an Josh Shoemaker
Irving Witt
Jeff Mckamey
Albert Paul
Steve Mann
Richard Hudson
Matt Fulkerson
Morgan
Scott Witter
Eric Pettit
Jody Harrison

A box from any of these gentleman and I am sure I left out a few

Mike Lapp
Marlin Watkins
Scott Bashore
Scott witter
Matt Van Cise

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using Tapatalk

Calls I have and hunt with most often:

Darrin Dawkins
Steve Mann
Albert Paul
Mike Lapp
Tim Clayton - I don't think Tim is making calls anymore which is a shame he was a very talented call maker

I left some great ones out that I have Shoemakers, Tim Bullock, Billy White, Pat Strawser, Bob Harwell, Al Willis, Billy Bush, etc. but when I hunt I use the five listed above most often

Marlin Watkins
Scott Basehore
Albert Paul
Richard Hudson
Jeff McKamey

Mike Lapp
Irving Whitt
Tim Bullock
Richard Hudson
Ed Terefencko
Jody Harrison
Frank Kruer

Add Billy Buice. I think his box calls are very underrated

Watkins
Lapp
Mann
Eddleman
Baseshore

Mann
Watkins
Albert Paul
Dawkins
Bob Harwell,,sound wise might be the best

lamar williams
darrin dawkins

I see a lot of you have never played a Don Sitton.

Hard to believe Frank Kruer didn't make a single list.

Hmmmm......

Neil Cost
Marlin Watkins
Jeff McKamey
Ralph Snodgrass
Billy Bush

I was about to mention I couldn't believe someone hadn't listed Neil Cost, the teacher to many of our great box call makers now! There is a nice one of his calls on eBay now before anyone says you can't get one now!

Frank Cox

Neils awesome no doubt , but I should have said living.

Frank Kruer lll
Marlin Watkins
Dave Tyree
Irving Whitt
Scott Basehore

My top 5 - that are still making calls - in no order ( But I NEVER leave the truck without a Mannmade Paddle call) for me, his calls are MONEY... I mean Death to Longbeards..

Steve Mann
Darrin Dawkins
Bob Harwell
Albert Paul
Billy Buice

Quote from: ol bob on June 10, 2018, 03:22:31 PM
I see a lot of you have never played a Don Sitton.

Don makes a heck of a box call . I have been friends with him for over 20 years. And have about 20 of his boxes Cutt'n machines

Cant believe ed terenfenko only made one list. Is his boxes not as good as the other guys? Never had one but curious

Quote from: Pooh4459 on June 14, 2018, 04:08:53 AM
Cant believe ed terenfenko only made one list. Is his boxes not as good as the other guys? Never had one but curious

Ed T is in my top five. One of the best in my opinion.

Quote from: hunter22 on June 14, 2018, 07:26:33 AM

Quote from: Pooh4459 on June 14, 2018, 04:08:53 AM
Cant believe ed terenfenko only made one list. Is his boxes not as good as the other guys? Never had one but curious

Ed T is in my top five. One of the best in my opinion.

Ed's box calls have led to more turkey kills for me than any other box, and I have a variety of "name" boxes. The only box call in my vest last year was my ET

It's my screensaver in my studio!




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Jryser

What wood combination of his do you have

The best box call is the one that sounds the best to YOUR ears and you play the best.  That confidence factor added to ease of play is what calls in birds.  I could name fifty talented box call makers but hype doesn't call turkeys to the gun.  An average call will work if you know what to say and when to say it. 
All the names mentioned are great ones. 

Quote from: KentuckyHeadhunter on June 14, 2018, 08:04:43 PM
The best box call is the one that sounds the best to YOUR ears and you play the best.  That confidence factor added to ease of play is what calls in birds.  I could name fifty talented box call makers but hype doesn't call turkeys to the gun.  An average call will work if you know what to say and when to say it. 
All the names mentioned are great ones.

I agree 100%, Most people could get the job done with a lot cheaper calls but there is something special about a great looking custom call also. Custom calls keep me playing turkey calls year round now. I used to only get the calls out a couple of days before season.

Quote from: KentuckyHeadhunter on June 14, 2018, 08:04:43 PM
The best box call is the one that sounds the best to YOUR ears and you play the best.  That confidence factor added to ease of play is what calls in birds.  I could name fifty talented box call makers but hype doesn't call turkeys to the gun.  An average call will work if you know what to say and when to say it. 
All the names mentioned are great ones.

Well said. I have a friend who killed his biggest bird ever using a sawn and glued box he made over 10 years ago. No magic calls just what a gobbler wants to hear at that point in time.

Quote from: jryser on June 14, 2018, 08:16:09 AM

Quote from: hunter22 on June 14, 2018, 07:26:33 AM

Quote from: Pooh4459 on June 14, 2018, 04:08:53 AM
Cant believe ed terenfenko only made one list. Is his boxes not as good as the other guys? Never had one but curious

Ed T is in my top five. One of the best in my opinion.

Ed's box calls have led to more turkey kills for me than any other box, and I have a variety of "name" boxes. The only box call in my vest last year was my ET

It's my screensaver in my studio!




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180615/c0b0f3a0dd734cd3c7792077d014fedc.jpg)

I have to check which woods I have - I asked Ed to make both calls to specs he would want in his vest. I also had him make one for my son in law Troy and my best turkey hunting pal, Greg Clements.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Quote from: Happy hooker on June 14, 2018, 05:12:13 PM
Jryser

What wood combination of his do you have

Canarywood and butternut 2011
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180615/c8bbded9fb276b25f8239472163d4e1a.jpg)

Yellowwood and Black Limba 2015
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180615/99f70ebabd9138e00c35d7a8294fb501.jpg)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

You guys left out Josh Farley. One of the best sounding box calls i own.

I do not own enough boxes to make 100% informed decision, guys send me your box calls I will run them all and then make my list.

Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk

Quote from: TauntoHawk on June 20, 2018, 04:15:06 PM
I do not own enough boxes to make 100% informed decision, guys send me your box calls I will run them all and then make my list.

Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk

Send me your Corder and Platz calls and I have a couple I will send you! :angry9:

Its no doubt that a cheap production call will call in birds. Thats not why i started the thread. Most here have hunted long enough to know that the operator is what makes the call effective. I started this thread to list favorite box call makers , not be giving a sermon on what the turkey wants to hear , there are no holy grail box call and on and on. Its about custom box call makers who seem to turn out consistent and great sounding calls. Please continue with your top 5 favorite box call makers. Thanks guys.

Here's my list, but I have never owned/played a Hudson, Mann, Dawkins, Basehore, Williams, or Lapp.
Man... I am missing out on some good ones.

Watkins
Paul
McKamey
Whitt
Shoemaker

Quote from: va longbeard on June 20, 2018, 07:06:14 PM

Quote from: TauntoHawk on June 20, 2018, 04:15:06 PM
I do not own enough boxes to make 100% informed decision, guys send me your box calls I will run them all and then make my list.

Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk

Send me your Corder and Platz calls and I have a couple I will send you! :angry9:

I'll send you ALL of the zero Corder and platz calls I own

Quote from: TauntoHawk on June 21, 2018, 12:49:06 PM

Quote from: va longbeard on June 20, 2018, 07:06:14 PM

Quote from: TauntoHawk on June 20, 2018, 04:15:06 PM
I do not own enough boxes to make 100% informed decision, guys send me your box calls I will run them all and then make my list.

Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk

Send me your Corder and Platz calls and I have a couple I will send you! :angry9:

I'll send you ALL of the zero Corder and platz calls I own

Thanks I will pass on that one!

 Albert Paul
Marlin Watkins
Lamar Williams
Mike Lapp
Jeff McKamey

Josh Farley
Matt Van Cise
Bob Fulcher
Al Shoemaker
Jody Harrison

Lamar Williams
Marlin Watkins
Albert Paul
Darrin Dawkins
Bob Harwell

Long and short boxes from any of the top four
will get the job done. I Just can't get a long box
from Mr Bob Harwell .

If you do not have a box from Wendell Lancaster then you are missing out.

You SC guys kill me...  :toothy12:

I have a pretty unusual paddle call from Al Willis. All Dogwood. It's a good one. Sure hate he is gone..

Quote from: davisd9 on June 27, 2018, 02:04:32 PM
If you do not have a box from Wendell Lancaster then you are missing out.

Nobody mentioned Niles Oesterle... excellent box.

Frank Kruer
Jeff McKamey
Marlin Watkins
Ed Terefencko
Richard Hudson

Up and coming guys
Josh Farley
Neal Impson
Scott Witter
Brad Roberts

That last statement carries some weight from a Grand National Judge.

Quote from: SJ Strutter on June 29, 2018, 08:59:29 AM
That last statement carries some weight from a Grand National Judge.

Shows that maybe that judge isn't fair on judging calls.  No matter what a judges opinion is he/she shouldn't express it on an open forum.  As far as I'm concerned he's already swayed towards the names that are mentioned as up and coming guys. 
Stuff like this is exactly why a good number of callmakers don't bother entering calls at Nationals any longer. 

Kinda like a MLB umpire saying one of the teams in the game he's working is his favorite team.  You think his judgement/calls will be fair to all parties?   ???

Quote from: letinmfly on June 29, 2018, 05:51:44 PM

Quote from: SJ Strutter on June 29, 2018, 08:59:29 AM
That last statement carries some weight from a Grand National Judge.

Shows that maybe that judge isn't fair on judging calls.  No matter what a judges opinion is he/she shouldn't express it on an open forum.  As far as I'm concerned he's already swayed towards the names that are mentioned as up and coming guys. 
Stuff like this is exactly why a good number of callmakers don't bother entering calls at Nationals any longer. 

Kinda like a MLB umpire saying one of the teams in the game he's working is his favorite team.  You think his judgement/calls will be fair to all parties?   ???

I will tell you this, I dont hide behind anything. Say what you will, i have always judged fairly. I'm sure you are not going to believe me, because the people YOU want are not on my list.  Unlike a lot of other judges, I'm not afraid to post my stuff publicly.

I stand behind every score I put in!!

Some of the calls that I thought should win, did not. That's why there are multiple judges. Just because someone you think should win doesn't,  doesn't mean that cheating was involved.

EVERY callmaker I listed, all have one thing in common. CONSISTENTCY!!!! You never hear of a bad call coming out of their shops. That's why they are at the top of the game right now!!

You can all attack me all you want on your computers, but never have any of you confronted me fce to face!!! 

 :TrainWreck1:

I think a guy can say guys are up and coming and still be able to judge fairly. You dont have to be a judge to realize those guys are going to be good.

Quote from: letinmfly on June 29, 2018, 05:51:44 PM

Quote from: SJ Strutter on June 29, 2018, 08:59:29 AM
That last statement carries some weight from a Grand National Judge.

Shows that maybe that judge isn't fair on judging calls.  No matter what a judges opinion is he/she shouldn't express it on an open forum.  As far as I'm concerned he's already swayed towards the names that are mentioned as up and coming guys. 
Stuff like this is exactly why a good number of callmakers don't bother entering calls at Nationals any longer. 

Kinda like a MLB umpire saying one of the teams in the game he's working is his favorite team.  You think his judgement/calls will be fair to all parties?   ???

If you think the umps don't have favorite teams then you are foolish. They can have their favorite team and still call straight. Calling a mans honor into question is wrong. He has his own opinion and is due it just like anybody else. All the competitions I have ever seen run by or sponsored by the NWTF are blind competitions so he would not know who's is who's anyway. (Calling anyway)

I will put it this way, I am a die hard Pittsburgh STEELERS fan and I flat out hate Dallas and New England but if they are playing my STEELERS and somebody makes a great catch from those teams I acknowledge it is a good great play even though I don't like them. I am sure he is capable of doing the same thing. That said I did not watch the NFL last year and won't this year either. Go Sooners!

Quote from: KYTURKEY on June 29, 2018, 06:59:18 PM

Quote from: letinmfly on June 29, 2018, 05:51:44 PM

Quote from: SJ Strutter on June 29, 2018, 08:59:29 AM
That last statement carries some weight from a Grand National Judge.

Shows that maybe that judge isn't fair on judging calls.  No matter what a judges opinion is he/she shouldn't express it on an open forum.  As far as I'm concerned he's already swayed towards the names that are mentioned as up and coming guys. 
Stuff like this is exactly why a good number of callmakers don't bother entering calls at Nationals any longer. 

Kinda like a MLB umpire saying one of the teams in the game he's working is his favorite team.  You think his judgement/calls will be fair to all parties?   

I will tell you this, I dont hide behind anything. Say what you will, i have always judged fairly. I'm sure you are not going to believe me, because the people YOU want are not on my list.  Unlike a lot of other judges, I'm not afraid to post my stuff publicly.

I stand behind every score I put in!!

Some of the calls that I thought should win, did not. That's why there are multiple judges. Just because someone you think should win doesn't,  doesn't mean that cheating was involved.

EVERY callmaker I listed, all have one thing in common. CONSISTENTCY!!!! You never hear of a bad call coming out of their shops. That's why they are at the top of the game right now!!

You can all attack me all you want on your computers, but never have any of you confronted me fce to face!!!

Thank you for your response. Makes complete sense to me. Honestly - the first responder about national judges being prejudiced made me wonder about your initial post but then your response was spot on. That opened my mind so thanks! 

I had to judge singers one time; and once I knew EXACTLY what we were supposed to judge it was easy. BC I knew what was supposed to be measured and I have the expertise to provide it. The winner was not a "favorite" but delivered what was asked.

Now - back to turkey calls - from a personal standpoint the measure of my calls are what I bring turkeys in with.  Some of the worst calling I've ever heard in my entire life came from actual turkeys! LOL


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Quote from: Spitten and drummen on June 11, 2018, 11:41:49 AM
Neils awesome no doubt , but I should have said living.

OK, living then, though most of those mentioned studied under Mr. Cost, or studied with someone who studied under Mr. Cost.

So, I'm adding Mr. Fulcher to the list, and my list is in no way in some descending order either. It is quite impossible to separate the ones at the top of the profession. Most importantly, all are great people.

Marlin Watkins
Jeff McKamey
Ralph Snodgrass
Billy Bush
Bob Fulcher

Quote from: paboxcall on June 10, 2018, 05:09:59 PM
Hmmmm......

Neil Cost*

Marlin Watkins
Jeff McKamey
Ralph Snodgrass
Billy Bush