I can't seem to bring myself to use one. Maybe because
I don't like the one I have, and don't think the turkeys
Do either. So am I missing out? If so who would y'all
Recommend to make me one. Also what's your favorite
Flavor(wood types), that has been the most consistent
Producers for you? :bible:
With you guys on the box call. I have one and never use it. I love the yelps but to my ear I am not wild about the Cutts and purrs. My main thing is I don't like the bulk of carrying it around. Maybe one day I will change my ways but I wouldn't bet on it. Thinking I will go scratch box next year. Used to have one years ago.
I was that way for years.. I now love box calls and could make lots of suggestions.
First place I'd strongly suggest to start would be a call to Al at SS custom calls he has amazing sounding boxes in every price range and fast turn around times.
Another fun little entry to the box world would be beard buster mini single sider.
Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk
I live and die by the box! Lol.....in all seriousness I think the box is the most versatile call around. Just carry one with your slate or mouth call and give it a whirl
I got a wilmper "pocket rocket" and love it. Already called in 3 rios and a few merriams this years. Great yelp and pretty good purrs, I love its size fits in my front pocket as the name would imply! Favorite call!
As a turkey hunter I believe I evolve into a more versatile ant thus better hunter. Over the past four or five years I've went from never to very often.
Call Al from SS
Quote from: TauntoHawk on April 11, 2016, 09:32:32 PM
First place I'd strongly suggest to start would be a call to Al at SS custom calls he has amazing sounding boxes in every price range and fast turn around.
Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk
I'll second contacting Al from SS. I've got three custom boxes this year. A Lonnie Mabry, an SS and a Richard McKinnis. I loaned the McKinnis to a buddy of mine to try out this year. The Mabry is currently in my vest only because I've not taken the time to swap in the SS. It will be there before I leave this weekend though. I've been playing with it big time at the house and because of that, it's been sitting on the table in my man cave. To be fair, the Mabry box is quite good. The yelps between the two boxes are about the same. The difference for me is the cuts on the SS box are easier to manipulate and the purrs are a touch better on the SS as well. I've used various store bought boxes for years. Used a Primos box cutter for quite some time with only one regret. I wish I'd have gotten a custom box much sooner. Primos was good to me but these boxes are much better.
for a box I mainly use a lunch raspy hen(no longer made) one sider. Not to bulky & turkeys love it. Its split in several spots & glued back together and keeps on working. Mike
Thanks guys!!!! Sounds like I'll be giving SS calls a ring. :mycross:
Might need the phone # anyone have it? :bible:
276-794-7771
Could also just pm him on here. Al check back pretty often and would probably reply either tonight or tomorrow.
...I'll just add, when you get a GOOD box in your hands, there will be a world of difference! No comparison. And with that, you'll hesitate going into the woods without it.
He's right you know.
IMO a well made box is an extremely effective, versatile, killing call. You won't be disappointed with any call you get from the SS guys.
I plan on having a custom box by next year. Right now I have a primos box cutter I've had for several years. It's my go to call when trying to strike a bird especially mid day.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I've been using them for 30 years...no plans to stop...but yes, it needs to be a good call...Albert Paul for me...
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I've probably bought & sold a half dozen over the years. 4 were SS calls & sounded great but I just don't seem to use them enough to keep them. I'm probably missing out by not using them more. I do have a single side cody I carry every once in a while on a windy day.
Worked 2 birds for my neice this morning. Shame she missed twice but that a different story. Regardless, worked them both with a Yingling crystal and Yingling aluminum with the exception of the fly down cackle and a few assorted yelps from the SS box. No joke, soon as I did the first fly down cackle, one of the birds flew down. Did another fly down cackle shortly thereafter and her came the other. Had some other answers later on the SS box as well but I believe the hens may have been a bit of an issue at that point. Love that box.
Quote from: Treerooster on April 12, 2016, 09:12:25 AM
I started out using mainly pot calls but gradually switched to using a box call as my main call. Just got better results from the ones that count...the turkeys....I always have a mouth call tucked in my cheek though.
My experience as well, once I got a hold of a quality box there was no going back. To carry one call in the woods, weather not being a variable, it would be a long box. There isn't a turkey sound you cannot make on a quality long box.
The right BOX will cost you for sure :-) Not only in dinero but also in addiction.
Thanks guys, I need to go ahead and get one. Then
Just take it and a mouth call with me, so I'll have to
Use it. Then I'm sure that will build my confidence with
It. That's what I had to do with a crystal pot call. It seemed
Like I never could get a response with one, then I decided
To buy a loftis crystal screamer and used it almost exclusively
On opening day and had birds come in just out of range. So I now have
Confidence in a pot call that's not a slate or ceramic.
Box call and scratch box were game changes once I got them and learned how to play them well.
But you have to hunt with what you have confidence in, it just helps to be confident with a wide variety of calls.
Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk
I've been using an SS short box the last few days. It's a mahogany box w/ jatoba base & lid. It is a 6 brick check and has inlays. This box is beautiful, and I love the weight of the box and lid. It has an outstanding sound. If I knew how to post a sound file, I would. Those guys made an outstanding box when they made this one. I highly recommend one.
I started with a box call and "matured" into a mouth call... Never really got into the pot calls, cause I lose the little sticks.
I now use a box call more than any other. When you figure out the sweet spot of a good call, it just seems to generate a response. Nothing seems to irritate a hen more than a box call... Soft tree yelps to loud shock "cutts," and just plain fun to use.
I'll be honest and say I've never really wanted to use a box call while hunting turkeys. Looking back it seems the guys who weren't very good at calling birds would be using a box call.
Fast forward several years now and I feel I need to have the box call in my arsenal. I'm sure I'll feel more complete with the box in my vest. I gave Al at SS custom calls a shout and he answered all my questions.
He's making me a Butternut/Maple field grade short box. Sure it won't be ready before this season runs out, but that's ok. I'm sure I'll have it with me in the Fall . Can't wait!
A good box for a guy who don't normally like to carry one should be the beard hunter single sider mini box. Effortless to run, loud, stays silent with the little elastic band it comes with around it during carry and can fit a shirt pocket. Things a screamer too
Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk
Quote from: Happy on April 11, 2016, 09:21:54 PM
With you guys on the box call. I have one and never use it. I love the yelps but to my ear I am not wild about the Cutts and purrs. My main thing is I don't like the bulk of carrying it around. Maybe one day I will change my ways but I wouldn't bet on it. Thinking I will go scratch box next year. Used to have one years ago.
Maybe the particular call you have??? I was just reading this post, and oddly, I feel that a box call really clucks and cutts well... Purrs seem to be variable between different calls... With the purrs you have to play with the angle, pressure, and side tension a bit till you figure out how the call wants to be played (and admittedly, I have some boxes that I cannot make a decent purr out of).
My last hunt, I really had a chance to hear some hens cutting and yelping. There is a hollow resonance to a live hen calling that a box call captures really well. I have not heard a call that is better at emulating those single excited popping clucks than a box... Tough to beat a good box call for that resonating yelping as well...
Listening to these birds calling, I was trying to figure out if that resonance is from the birds or a product of the wooded environment they are in, or some combination therein??? I noticed that this "resonance" seemed to disappear as the birds came in close. (I also realized there were way too many hens romancing that tom for me to stand a chance with him)... Probably a good topic for another thread though.