I'm No Turkey...

[silverdalesauer]

My wife might think I'm a turkey at times, but yesterday I made a discovery that might prove her wrong.

We held a yard sale at our house today, so yesterday I spent the evening pulling out all the stuff out of boxes. We had gathered a bunch of boxes from friends and neighbors who just didn't want to deal with their stuff. After pouring through boxes of knick-knacks and other junk, I opened a box that had a duffel bag embroidered with a familiar logo... the NRA.

Inside I found emergency preparedness kits, old Cabela's "candle lanterns", a fold up shovel & sheath that laces through your belt, and more. But at the bottom of the bag I found two items that I had never seen, nor used... turkey calls.

I'm not usually on this part of the Hunt-Wa forum. I hang around the classifieds, the deer hunting forum, and the virtual campfire. But I thought you turkey hunters would appreciate this. These are the real deal...

The first one I pulled out looked odd to me (I guess since I don't hunt turkeys they all probably look odd). On the top of it is printed "Lee's Champion Gobble Box." It's wooden and has some markings on the side that tell what it's used for. It's fairly touchy... as soon as I moved the handle, it sounded like a turkey. As I studied it more, I found that it had been autographed by the designer himself, Ben Lee, from Coffeeville, Alabama (see photo). So, I've done a little research on Ben Lee

An Article from 1983 Sports Illustrated on Ben Lee:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1121500/

What do you think this call is worth? I'm not really certain, but one sold on ebay in 2011 for almost $80!

The second one I pulled out came in a little box. Printed on the box was "OLT Model CT-220 Crank Turkey Call."  The box is in pristine condition and inside was another turkey call that looked all the more strange. (see photo).  As I turned the crank, the strange looking box made a perfect turkey call. I was totally enamored that such a weird looking box could make that sound.

Interesting fact about P.S. Olt (started his business in 1904)... nicknamed the "father" of the manufactured call. See more here: http://www.psolt.com/about/history.html

What do you think this call is worth?

Well, after checking it out on the web, I was surprised to see prices like $250 and up!

See link below:
http://sportingspirit.com/index.html?trig=manuf&manuf=Olt%2C%20P.S.&startatsb=261#


So, I guess the point is, I'm now the owner of two vintage turkey calls with some rich history... maybe it's time to look into gobblers. Or maybe one of you would like to own these two calls? 

[RadSav]

I went to a group dinner at the Red Lobster in Houston, TX I think the year was 1985.  Ben Lee and Gritz Gresham were seated rather close.  Between the two of them the restaurant was filled with nonstop laughter.  Those boys could really tell some tales.  I remember having clam chowder come out my nose a couple of times   Not sure a young punk kid from nowhere Oregon could have had a better time.

The next day less than half of the people at that dinner showed up for the S.H.O.T. show because of food poisoning.  Gritz was in the booth next to ours.  He was pretty sick, but giving the friendly face as best he could.  I said to him, "I haven't seen Ben Lee today.  He must of been one of the guys in real bad shape."  Gritz says, "When a man pushing 400# gets simultaneous shi*s and pukes...it's best he stay out of public spaces.  Nobody wants to see that!"

I really miss the days when shows were filled with larger than life personalities like that.  These days everyone wants to be a movie star.  Yet few have the personality to entertain and work a room like the old guys did.  If I could go back in time I wouldn't change a thing.  I feel pretty darned fortunate.

PM me with a figure if you end up wanting to sell those.  Not sure I would use them, but they sure do stir up some very fond memories of good ole' days gone by

[Austrian Hunter]

Ok, I just blew my lemonade out of my nose reading this, hahaha, thanks for a good laugh before I call it a night! 

Nice find by the way!!!  I would keep them! 

[silverdalesauer]

I went to a group dinner at the Red Lobster in Houston, TX I think the year was 1985.  Ben Lee and Gritz Gresham were seated rather close.  Between the two of them the restaurant was filled with nonstop laughter.  Those boys could really tell some tales.  I remember having clam chowder come out my nose a couple of times   Not sure a young punk kid from nowhere Oregon could have had a better time.

The next day less than half of the people at that dinner showed up for the S.H.O.T. show because of food poisoning.  Gritz was in the booth next to ours.  He was pretty sick, but giving the friendly face as best he could.  I said to him, "I haven't seen Ben Lee today.  He must of been one of the guys in real bad shape."  Gritz says, "When a man pushing 400# gets simultaneous shi*s and pukes...it's best he stay out of public spaces.  Nobody wants to see that!"

I really miss the days when shows were filled with larger than life personalities like that.  These days everyone wants to be a movie star.  Yet few have the personality to entertain and work a room like the old guys did.  If I could go back in time I wouldn't change a thing.  I feel pretty darned fortunate.

PM me with a figure if you end up wanting to sell those.  Not sure I would use them, but they sure do stir up some very fond memories of good ole' days gone by

Sounds awesome Rad! Wish I had been there to hear those stories too. I'm smiling just thinking about it.

I'll send you a PM later on. Heading out to church with the family right now.  I think you'll enjoy them much more than I ever will.

[BOWHUNTER45]

You just give old BH45 a call @ 360 333-9726 and play those bad boys for me ....I need to hear what you got ......

[silverdalesauer]

RadSav,

  PM sent... they're yours if you'd like 'em.   

[hillbilli]

that old lee box was the first turkey call I ever had or used, got it at a yard sale as a kid, still have it somewhere..