Should I go with Woodhaven, custom, or other?

LeviSS

LeviSS

New member
Up until this point I've been using diaphragm calls mainly and borrowing a couple friction calls from my dad, when I could. So, I'm going to buy a slate call and a box call.

Are Woodhaven calls worth the money? I'm not opposed to spending the money for quality and for something that is going to last a long time. But, I don't want to spend the money on a name alone.

Are the customs any better? I am all about customs when it comes to predator hunting, because they sound better. I'm not familiar with custom turkey call makers.

Other production calls? Are they just as good?
 
I tried the woodhaven calls at the dixie deer clissic this year and they sound great and easy to run. I just can't make my self send that much money on one for a hunting call, If i were still contest calling i would. I use a cody glass call and a knight and hale slate and have had good luck with them. I also like the sound of the primos jakepot slate it comes with a custom striker and it sells for $22.00 at wal-mart. You can also try different strikers it makes big difference in the sound of them. I like to use a rosewood with slate and laminated hardwood with glass. And for a box call the lynch fool proof and world champion are hard to beat. Hope this will help you.
 
Check Cumberland Rivers Game Calls, Talkin Stick, Cane Creek for some decently priced pot calls. For box calls at a decent price the ones from Lynch are pretty good as is the ones from Martin Brothers. Dad`s makes some custom strikers if you are interested. I have a Woodhaven Slate but I don`t really see much difference in it and my Cane Creek. jmho
 
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Custom turkey calls are a better buy IMHO than high end factory production stuff. They are handmade, custom tuned with a matching striker, and the real craftsmen will stand behind the calls with their name on them like no factory does. Top of the line Woodhaven and Cody calls are overpriced IMHO. Look to guys like Andy Kaiser, Wendell Rye, and Larry Gresser for great sounding calls, top shelf quality and customer service. Many of Wendell Rye's calls are only $40.00 + shipping and that is a bargain for the quality of call you receive. I really appreciate Andy Kaiser's pot/peg calls, they sound terrific and are beautiful works. Kaiser's run about $65.00 + shipping and worth every penny to me.
 
Thanks guys!

I've seen the Cane Creek calls in Midwest Turkey Call Supply's catalog. I'll give them a better look.

GC - How do I contact those guys to find out what they have or to order from them?
 
if you do go with cane creek I would go with the pro custom slate I also have the pro custom glass they are both great calls they are each 35 dollars a piece. I have not tryed there super tune or super tone calls I think these calls are made just to offer a good call at a lower price. Good luck and good hunting
 
I ended up ordering a Lights Out glass slate from Wendell. I'll let you guys know how I like it when I get it.

I tagged out this morning, so I don't really need it for this year, but I'll need one eventually.

I also found a good turkey hunting forum. They have a lot of custom call makers over there.

http://oldgobbler.com/TheForum/index.php
 
I think you'll like the Lights Out Call, good choice. What wood pot and striker did you get? I kept a sassy hen fired up for about five full minutes this morning and sometimes less than 10' from me with an Andy Kaiser glass call. The good stuff is worth the small added cost. Wendall Rye is a super nice guy too and does a good job with his calls.
 
I got an ambrosia maple glass top with a white oak striker. He said it has good volume and a crisp tone. He had it ready to go, so I took it. Then yesterday I shot a jake, so I don't really need it that quick.

I think I'll get one from Kaiser next year, and go with something raspy so I have two different sounding slates.

I'm going to try some of the Hooks diaphragm calls too.

Do you have any suggestions for a custom box call? Maybe your favorite or your favorite bang for the buck?

I already buy too many custom calls on this board. This could get bad...I already feel the addiction setting in.
 
First, congrat's on your gobbler! For custom box calls I have short box calls from Jerry "Dad" White of Dad's Calls and an Albert Paul. One is cedar/purpleheart and one is butternut/walnut and both have a couple of turkeys hidden in them - they sound really, really, good in the woods. The phrase "good in the woods" is about as high a praise as I can give a call and means everything to me personally. I can use about any kind of call and do pretty well with them all, but I REALLY enjoy working a good box call! Good box calls sound as realistic as it gets in the woods. I'm going to order a new longbox for next season from Marlin Watkins. You can check out some of his box calls and instructions on Youtube. They're worth the watching!
 
Thanks GC!

I have been trying to get one particular tom since the beginning of the season, but it just didn't work out. He was roosting about 100yds off of the property that I was hunting. I saw him several times, but could never get him into range. He was a nice one.
But, this season was weird because no gobblers were roosting where I could hunt, so it made it tricky. This jake flew off the roost and came right in front of me, so I thought I'd take the sure thing. I've only been (seriously)turkey hunting for a couple years, so once I get a few more under my belt I'll start being pickier.

I'll definitely check out those box calls so I know what I want when the time rolls around to get one.

I'll post my comments on the Lights Out when I get it. Hopefully Saturday.
 
Don't sweat shooting the jake. I'll have a new turkey hunter out this Saturday and I gave him instructions that he is going to shoot the first legal gobbler we call. Gotta get a few under your belt for the experience and then go from there. I took this guy on his first deer hunt last year and he killed a fat doe and was instantly hooked. He is already planning to buy a new rifle (I loaned him one of mine last year) and making plans for the coming deer season. I called his first coyote for him last winter also and he shot it on the run at 12 steps in his face... yep, he's hooked on predator calling too! I hope he does the same with turkey hunting. I've given him some calls and he is doing well with a box call and is ok with a slate. I'd like for him to do some calling and help work a bird, if he does he'll be addicted for life.
 
Another pot style callmaker to go with is Daybreak Calls. About the same price as a Woodhaven but twice the call.
 
I almost forgot to post about my Lights Out pot.

First off, it looks really good. Second, it sounds really good. I'm an amateur with a slate, so I'm still learning, but this call is really easy to work. He got it to me very fast. I would recommend them. Thanks for recommending them to me, GC.

I think I've decided on a box from Dad's Calls. I think I'll try an aluminum top slate from Kaiser or Light's Out for my next slate call. I'm going to try a tube call too. This isn't looking good.
smile.gif
 
Glad you like if Levi. Kaiser will do you right also, though I like glass much better than the aluminum pot/pegs. But that is personal, someone else would no doubt reverse that choice for them. What woods are you going with for your box call?

Are you saving up? This stuff is addictive and gets expensive after awhile!
 
Those Dad`s Box calls aren`t cheap. Check out McLaughlin Game Calls, Eastern Asassin, Gobblers Choice, there are a bunch of good ones out there. Congrats on tagging out. Might want to check out Hallorans Chestnut box call.
 


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