So i started my vacation monday and needless to say we had a horrible cold front dropping the temps to just above freezing and a steady downpour late sunday and the whole day monday. Got up and chose not to hunt. Sat around and decided that instead of wasting the day, to find something to do. So i called mr albert paul of pauls calls to talk to him about his box calls. After talking for a bit he invited me to his shop in collinsville ms. I got dressed and made a 3-1/2 hour drive. Why not being home alone and bored. Man am i glad i did. He and his wife are some of the nicest people you will ever meet. We went out to his shop and i was shocked at the size of his one man operation. I drooled over the shelf containing stacks of different wood type boxs without lids on them yet. On another shelf there were piles of lids. Art work was beautiful. He started assembling the calls running and tuning them. A screw tighten or loosen here, light sanding there. Removing wood from the rails. It was great watching him bring the calls to life. We talked about hunting, calls , calling , and about his friendship with neil cost. I ended up leaving with a walnut over walnut box that i just couldnt leave on his bench. He had seven holly pocket call boxs in clamps that would be ready for the ebony lids in another day. He is truely a very fine individual and i was invited back any time. The storm had blew a small tree across his driveway and i moved it for him. Sorry about the long post but i just wanted to share me experience with you fellow turkey hunters.
I too enjoy those visits with these respected call makers. I had the pleasure of spending some time with Lonnie Mabry twice this year and of course couldn't leave without a couple of calls each time.
Albert is a class act.
like to meet him myself
Quote from: Shellwaster on April 15, 2014, 10:25:25 AM
I too enjoy those visits with these respected call makers. I had the pleasure of spending some time with Lonnie Mabry twice this year and of course couldn't leave without a couple of calls each time.
A visit to Lonnie can turn into an all-day affair. I've never had a short visit (or an uninteresting one).
Wonderful post. I leave tomorrow morning for Greenwood, SC to do some hunting with Steve Mann of Mann Made Calls. I am sure that no matter how the hunting turns outs just getting to visit with him and spend some time in his wood shop will prove to be priceless. Best part of turkey hunting is the people we meet and their willingness to share their knowledge and experience with those of us wanting to learn and pass it on.