The Best Turkey Call You've Never Used

by
posted on April 8, 2019
know-how-scratchbox_lead.jpg

I could see his hands moving, but the sweet sound coming from the ancient scratch box was barely audible—at least to me. Across the beaver swamp, the old gobbler heard every note and answered with a thunderous double-gobble that caused the hair on my neck to stand straight up. “He will be here directly,” whispered Charles Hudson through his facemask. “You best get ready.”

Of all the calls turkey hunters can carry in their vests, perhaps the one that is most overlooked is the scratch box. Many hunters have never seen a scratch box much less used one, but its effectiveness in the turkey woods spans centuries. The scratch box is thought to date back to the late 1700s or early 1800s. It still works today for savvy hunters like Hudson. (Pictured above: Little Big Mouth Scratch Box, $12.95; enticerturkeycalls.com.)

The two-piece design consists of a thin box made from cedar, mahogany or other hardwood, along with a striker (scratcher) made from a different wood or material. The striker is slid across the soundboard of the box (or vice-versa) to imitate the sound of a turkey. It’s called a scratch box because the two pieces “scratch” together.

The main difference between the scratch box and the more common box call is the latter has a connected lid or paddle. With the scratch box they are two different pieces, which makes the call more versatile. Switching from a cedar scratcher to one made from holly or even carbon can change the tone. Hudson prefers a carbon scratcher: “It makes the raspy sound I like and it also allows me to whisper to the gobbler instead of scream at him.”

Latest

Banish 30 V2 Lifestyle 3
Banish 30 V2 Lifestyle 3

First Look: BANISH 30-V2

New from Banish Suppressors, the Banish 30-V2 is an upgraded version of the company’s popular Banish 30 suppressor that is shorter, lighter, quieter and more versatile than ever.

First Look: Hornady 3-in-1 High Speed Power Case Trimmer

The ideal tool for high-volume handloaders, the new Hornady 3-in-1 High Speed Power Case Trimmer brings three case preparation steps into one space-saving tool.

First Look: Kifaru New 44 Mag Pack

Kifaru has announced the highly anticipated relaunch of the 44 Mag pack. First introduced in 2019, the original pack was popular for its versatility and size. While it was still a traditional top-loading pack, the capacity and organization made it a great option for single- or multi-day trips. 

First Look: Trijicon New MRO SD

The next generation of Trijicon’s Miniature Rifle Optic is optimized for use with a magnifier.

Revolver Build: Fink's Custom Taurus Raging Hunter .44 Magnum

This big bore revolver is tricked out for handgun hunting, defense against dangerous game and personal protection. 

First Look: JK Armament RPX .30Cal Suppressor

JK Armament is proud to announce its all-purpose .30-caliber suppressor, the JK 155 RPX .30CAL.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.