Callmaker Spotlight: Tim Ellrich(TN)




I live for three things in life: Turkey hunting and woodworking are two of them. I have always been fascinated with big game birds. When I was seven, I devised a clever live-trap for pheasant roosters at my grandparents in New England. The trap required me to operate it from the screen in bedroom window. It was there where I discovered the excitement of trying to out smart game birds. I was hooked.
Naturally, in Tennessee, Turkey is the big game bird. Making box calls became a hobby due to my love for turkey hunting and a passion for woodworking. About five years ago, my brother sent me an antique box call and asked me if I could make one like it. I took it out to my shop and studied it. Pretty soon, I came up with a pretty good rendering of the old box call. Over the years, I have perfected the design, experimented with several species wood, furniture, and finish.
The journey has been a work in progress. I sold some and gave some as gifts over the years. As people would call me to brag about the Toms they bagged, I learned that my calls were extremely effective. I sold some to the local hunting store, and they too had people comment on their effectiveness--and now ask for them every year. I am giving the world an opportunity to try my Turkey calls now. I will still keep my day job, but I hope to help some hunters become better turkey communicators with Tim’s Turkey Calls. Some people may choose a Tim’s Turkey Call to add to a collection, and some may just want a good hand-crafted tool to use to talk to the Toms. Either way, you cannot go wrong with Tim’s Turkey Calls. Species Comment: I make box call sides out of specific hardwood and one softwood for a reason. I use Black Walnut, Butternut, Mahogany, Tennessee Cedar, or Swamp Ash. I find that these species lend themselves to great sound boards (sides) and have the proper resonance. If you want something made out of something exotic, or your piece of wood, email me, and I will give you a quote. Nevertheless, the species I have mentioned have excellent properties for box calls. Except for the cedar call, I use vertical grain walnut for the striker or paddle. Cedar box uses cedar striker.

For more information, contact Tim by email




NOTE: The "Callmaker of the Month" page is meant to highlight custom turkey call makers, both new and well-established, whether they sell their calls or not. If you are a callmaker and would like your calls to be featured here, along with your contact information and web link, simply email your info and call pics (must have at least one pic) to theboxcallpage@hotmail.com.

Because this is meant to be a non-commercial site for sharing information, I won't post specific prices or inventories here, but I would be happy to include a general price range in your information.

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