Gerald Austin Turkey Calls

About Gerald Austin

The Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia have a tranquil beauty that can mesmerize and astonish the senses. Poets write about it, singers sing about it, hunters and nature lovers testify to it. Who can resist the beauty of the Redbud and Dogwood trees as they flower in the spring? It was in this rural setting that Gerald Austin not only learned the ways of life in these mountains, but also the ways of hunting in these mountains.

His father, neighbors, and other family members would all have a hand in teaching the youthful boy the skills necessary to become a successful sportsman. They showed him how to use all his senses to hunt a variety of animals. As that boy grew into a young man, Gerald’s passion for hunting became more focused on perhaps the most elusive and crafty game in all the region….the wild turkey.

Knowing that calling skills are critical to success in bagging a wild turkey, Gerald would spend hours practicing his techniques. He would experiment with different types of calls including: the wing bone, the box call, slate calls, and various forms of diaphragm calls. Practicing countless hours with each until he was satisfied that he was calling with just the right timing and tone. All that worked paid off. Gerald soon became very respected by his hunting peers as a knowledgeable and skilled turkey hunter.

Although very humble about his accomplishments, Gerald has quite a resume’ to prove his turkey hunting skillfulness. The National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) has recognized his achievement of the coveted “World Slam.” To qualify for this rare feat, a hunter must kill 6 different sub-species of turkeys. Gerald accomplished his “Slam” in a mere two-year period. Gerald is also featured in turkey hunting/callmaker legend Earl Mickel’s book, “Longbeards, Callmakers and Memories.”  He was included in the book after guiding Mr. Mickel to a successful hunt near Gerald’s Virginia home.

Always willing to give back the community, Gerald is a very active charter member of the Botetourt Longbeards. This local chapter of the NWTF delivers turkey meals to shut-ins around Thanksgiving; and sponsors a JAKES event that educates young people in respecting nature, sportsmanship, and the proper handling of firearms. 

Since 1991, Gerald has focused a lot of attention to making his own handcrafted box calls. (Which you can ORDER through this website!) They are a highly sought commodity among hunters in the region and neighboring states. Read these TESTIMONIALS from Carson Quarles, Dennis Mullins, Leon Smith and Dr. Carey Quarles.

Gerald’s passion in building these calls matches the passion he has always exemplified in all aspects of turkey hunting. He tunes each call, listening for that “just right” tone that his ears (and years) of experience know. By choosing the wood you like, you can order your own custom made Gerald S. Austin box call. Each call comes personally signed and numbered for authenticity.