Collecting Calls

[Bmac3138]

Anyone out there collecting turkey calls? I am getting into it on a small scale, for now. I would like to see pics of any calls if anyone is collecting.

[Jimmie in Ky]

I have a small collection of predator calls that I have swapped for over the last few years. I made 4 of my own custom turkey calls, Boyd smith made one, and the cherry box call I am not sure who made it. I got it in a wood for calls trade I made a couple of years ago. I made myself a cedar box , a scratch box,and a couple of tube calls. I have found I would rather tinker around making them than buying them. Jimmie

[Bmac3138]

I think I would rather make my own to, but I don't have the tools to make them, maybe some day I'll be able to make some. I do have one of Boyd's Kentucky Klucker I got it in cedar wood. Do you think if your collecting calls you should not use them? They sound so good I hate not to take them to the woods. Most things people collect they don't even take them out of the package. What are your thoughts on it?

[Jimmie in Ky]

I my opinion there is only one reason to buy calls and that is to use them.And I do use the best, and stash the rest. I have to admit that some of these real pretty calls I traded for aren't worth the wood I sent the maker. And some , the design is so bulky they don't feel right in the hand, but they sound so darned fantastic! Then there is the plain jane little call with the sweetest sound you ever carried to the woods. And also the butt ugly call you would not leave the truck without.

Go to the shows and check out the callmakers work if you can. That way you can play with the calls right there with the man who made it, and they are very happy to show you the best methods of working the calls.

Once you find a few good custom calls, you will never buy calls from the factories again!!

As for not having the tools, one of the best predator calls I have ever had the privelage of playing with was made from cow horn with only a dremel tool. Another was made from cpvc pipe and glue. With a coping saw, some glue , sandpaper and 1/8 thick cedar boards you can make some of the sweetest scratch box calls you ever played with.

If your Ky Clucker has the frosted Glass ,holler at Boyd and see if he has one in slate over glass, I am pretty sure he does. With those two pot calls you will be armed for anything in the turkey woods. Jimmie

[Bmac3138]

Thanks for the reply your right they are made to use. My Kentuchy Klucker does have the frosted glass I'll check on the other one, I might get it to. Thanks again.

[Bee]

if you want to get serious about call collecting , then you should consider obtainign one of the two book s written by Earl Mickel about collectable calls...wheteher it is right or wrong in its evalutations , he has produced the "go-by" reference for the calls made by many folks in the country up until about five years ago. Those first edition books go for 300-500 on ebay themsleves.ANy caslls made made since the book s came out has genrally been produced in larger numebers . You do not see a lot of recently made calls appreciating in value narly as much as the older very limited edition ones(the makers did not intend to make a "limited editin" they just did not make a lot fo calls. Except for a very few factory calls, the real escalation in call value is in the handmade calls from a few select makers. I have some I got from two custom call makers sources "way back there " when you could count the country's first class call makers on your fingers and toes, and have carried many time to the woods and luckily for me they are selling for 1000 each or more on ebay. 2 cents

[Jimmie in Ky]

Bee brings up a good point. Do get the books on the type of calls you intend to collect.

As for the number of folks that are making calls today, there are a lot of them who have taken up the hobby. You need to improve your skills in working the calls to the point that you can evaluate them.

I know that while making a call I choose whether it's good enough or not! I am my own worst enemy in the shop. I am not making the calls to sell but to call critters. If it doesn't look right , sound right , or feel right to my hands, it is history and there is a bucket full of those rejects to use for kindling. I judge my own work by the same standards I set for other makers.

I look for the same standards in other call makers. I am looking for the guy that wants to produce the absolute best call he can. He is not looking to get rich or get himself a name. He wants the best equipment he can get. You will see something diferent in each call he makes as he learns his chosen craft. This is the fellow serious about calling critters . These are the calls you want to collect.Jimmie

[schuyler olt]

Through the years I have managed to collect more duck, goose and turkey calls than I probably should. Nearly all are "working" calls, meaning that I still use them. That includes a Neil Cost paddleboat.

Several have been gifts from friends that were specially made for me, most in thanks for serving as State President of the NWTF. Obviously, they are very special to me, and because they are highly decorative and meaningful, they don't go to the woods.

As you might expect, I have a number of calls made by P.S. Olt, including a turkey diaphragm call in its original package.

I acquire calls for several different reasons. They may be historical, or a unique design, or they may be specially decorated to commemorate some event, such as the NWTF National Convention, or I may have had the opportunity to have the callmaker personalize the call specifically to me, such as a Dick Kirby that he drew a unique and personal drawing about me on the call.

I collect calls that I intend to hunt with solely on the sound and whether I think they will kill turkeys.

The single best thing I like about my collection is that every call in it reminds me of a special time, place or person. Their worth to me has no bearing whatsoever to what they might bring on E-bay.

[maxcam]

If you want to get a good idea of the calls out there to collect then make plans to attend the NWTF convention next February. You can find anything and everything down there that your heart may desire.....Be sure and save your money though.....I saw some calls or sets I should say that went for well over $1000 dollars.....!

[LakeBarkleyBob]

I have a custom built and numbered "Martin Bros" box call w/ certificate of autheticity that I have been considering selling. I bought at a NWTF auction 7 or 8 years ago. Drop me a line if you are intertested.:D

[dorris]

try out coalfield game calls there nice bill cartwright makes them also gobblers end calls by ed blankinship nice box calls and he makes one of the best sounding scratch box calls i have heard . very fair priced

[Turkin8or]

If you are serious about collecting, you should definitely get your hands on a few books on the subject. There are several good ones out there, including the Earl Mickel books. Actually Earl now has a third book out that came out last year that is currently still (possibly) available for $50. This book will soon be sold out and will be worth many times more than what you pay for it. Like Bee said, the other 2 books he wrote routinely bring over $500 on ebay.
Another good one is by Howard Harlan, " Turkey Calls, An Enduring American Folk Art", You can catch these sometimes on Ebay for around 60-75$, but they too are going up!
As far as collecting goes, collect what YOU want to, there are many nice calls out there that can still be bought reasonably that will only get more valuable; as well as calls by current makers that will be worth more as the years go by. There are nice calls out there to be bought for $50, and there are calls that bring over $2000 regularly, I know a guy from NC that recently gave over $10000 for a old call on ebay and says he stole it!!!!
So look around and buy yourself some nice, well made calls, no mass produced stuff, and you will enjoy a hobby that will not only is fun but also builds worth.
Also, you don't have to be totally afraid of using your calls either; calls that will be worth more will still go up in value even if used. You may want to think twice if you buy any real rare ones though.
If you need any info on the books or would like to know some more on collecting just holler.