What constitutes a callmaker as a legend?

[culpeper]

I have heard it referred to with a small group of callmakers now and then, somewhat loosely by some and others have stated it with more conviction.  What in your opinion 'qualifies' a callmaker without naming names, as a legend or legendary?  Some may be historic, some may be quite recent and some may already be gone, but to the point, what are the criteria/qualifications/skills, as you see them, that place a callmaker into such a status position?  For me, I don't believe because a certain callmaker has built say 1,000 calls or perhaps even more makes them a legend.  Is it awards, is it turkey's killed with their calls, is it something less tangible, but highly "valuable" that they have contributed to callmaking that "elevates" them to this standing?

[ChesterCopperpot]

A part of me wants to say it's when callmakers do things that haven't been done before. Sometimes they're well aware of the history and evolution and take one more step to make something their own. Sometimes they're not intimately aware of that history at all and instead just set their own path. But in both instances they're doing something new. But then I find myself thinking of some callmakers who didn't necessarily add anything new to the conversation but they perfected a certain style of call over the course of a lifetime and that can be equally admirable. All that to say, I'm unsure, but I know the living ones I'd consider in that class and I know the past ones, and in all those cases they fit into one of those three places. They either did something new or did something perfect, and often times both.


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[Greg Massey]

I will go back to the early years of call builders. Back in those days we new very few people in the call building world unless it was some outdoor magazine article about a certain builder or just a close friend of the builder. Now with social media it has really changed the game of finding these call builders and for them selling calls. I agree i don't necessarily know about calling these builders legends or whatever, but i feel reputation over the years plays a big part in who's a step ahead of other call builders. Some of these builders have created new calls and designs, while others have carried on the old traditional style of calls, like in following the Neil Cost designed boxes etc. I have to say some have done a better job in perfecting their craftsmanship in building JUST better calls with sounds and tones. What's also  amazing with buying calls is trying to understand what the call maker was thinking in terms of sounds and tones he was hearing from his calls as the old saying goes the turkey in his head. I think most all call builders hear different turkey sounds as we do in finding the calls we want to hear, hunt and buy. I do think the pioneers of turkey call builders before social media or ever news or magazine articles are the true legends of call builders. As time goes on others will become legendary as they leave their marks in the turkey call building world. I agree with they did something new or did something perfect, and often times both with perfecting outstanding calls in any type. It doesn't necessarily have to be high priced call either. Very interesting post culpeper.

[crow]

Somebody has to write a song about them,

and no, stuff written on the hunting club bathroom wall does not count.

[culpeper]

Greg & Chester....great replies guys and this is precidely the thinking and dialogue I was hoping to read. 

[ChesterCopperpot]

Somebody has to write a song about them,

and no, stuff written on the hunting club bathroom wall does not count.

A hen cluck or yelp or a thirsty jake burping / A man can do it all when he learns to run a Turpin


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[ol bob]

This is my idea of a legend. #1 the native American that put 2 wing bones together about 8000 years ago and found when he sucked on it it sounded like a turkey. DD Adams,Neil Cost, Simon Everitt,Henry Davis,Henry Gibson,Charles Jordan,Ben Lee,ML Lynch,Archibald Rutledge,Tom Turpin. Davis,Rutledge, more for the writing than calls. Earl Mickel he has done more for the call makers today than anyone. I know I have missed some but all theses people have one thing in common, They are all dead.

[Tom007]

I believe a legend in the turkey call arena is someone who has perfected their calls to a level far superior to their peers. The criteria of a legendary call maker incorporates craftsmanship, material, sound, and over-all quality. There are legendary production call makers, as well as legendary custom call makers. A lot of call making success lies in the "ears" of the beholders.  There are many legendary call makers on this forum that we are all lucky to have in our arena, we all know who they are. Be safe, great post....

[fallhnt]

You licking his boots.

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[Sir-diealot]

In addition to their call making abilities I think those that were/are ambassadors for the sport should fit in the category as well.

[RND1983]

In addition to their call making abilities I think those that were/are ambassadors for the sport should fit in the category as well.

I would agree with that.

[fordhunt]

I will go back to the early years of call builders. Back in those days we new very few people in the call building world unless it was some outdoor magazine article about a certain builder or just a close friend of the builder. Now with social media it has really changed the game of finding these call builders and for them selling calls. I agree i don't necessarily know about calling these builders legends or whatever, but i feel reputation over the years plays a big part in who's a step ahead of other call builders. Some of these builders have created new calls and designs, while others have carried on the old traditional style of calls, like in following the Neil Cost designed boxes etc. I have to say some have done a better job in perfecting their craftsmanship in building JUST better calls with sounds and tones. What's also  amazing with buying calls is trying to understand what the call maker was thinking in terms of sounds and tones he was hearing from his calls as the old saying goes the turkey in his head. I think most all call builders hear different turkey sounds as we do in finding the calls we want to hear, hunt and buy. I do think the pioneers of turkey call builders before social media or ever news or magazine articles are the true legends of call builders. As time goes on others will become legendary as they leave their marks in the turkey call building world. I agree with they did something new or did something perfect, and often times both with perfecting outstanding calls in any type. It doesn't necessarily have to be high priced call either. Very interesting post culpeper.

very well said Mr Massey

[Tail Feathers]

If I use one of his calls, he is legendary.  All you call makers who want that status, just send me a free call and by next year, BOOM!, you will be a legendary call maker.

[paboxcall]

In addition to their call making abilities I think those that were/are ambassadors for the sport should fit in the category as well.

[Howie g]

Mark Drury is a call making " legend !!
  He sold thousands of freaking silent dog whistles to turkey hunters , if that ain't legendary?
Then what is ?!?!