I got a wormy chestnut pot call, copper/glass from Jim Ward of Warbird Turkey Calls earlier this week and a vera wood, slate/glass from Matt McLain in Nashville last week and carried them this morning while scouting. I don't like to call birds before the season and educate them too much, but I also know that a call can't be evaluated in the house, but must be played and heard outdoors. I climbed a high listening ridge before daylight, it was cool @ 30 degrees and clear w/ no wind. About 7 am, I let out a few soft clucks on Matt's slate and immediately was answered by a couple of jakes and a few hens. They liked it!! I let the flock talk among themselves as I moved down the ridge nearer to them and watched the birds pitch off the roost. The birds moved through the woods towards a large pasture opposite my position and I couldn't resist giving them some soft flock talk and a few yelps w/ Jim's copper call. The woods rang with gobbles from three adult birds and a pitiful gobble attempted by one of the jakes. I had seen and heard everything I needed to at that spot and slipped out of the woods unseen. I'll kill some birds w/ these calls this year. A sincere thank-you and endorsement for two premier craftsmen, call makers, and gentlemen.
Craig
