The "Small Shop” Makers

Here is a little about Justin Miller and how he got started making calls.

    I started building calls in 2010 as a Small Shop Call Maker because I had pulled my old Taylor Made call out of storage and just wanted to see if I could make one.  For a long time I made calls out of a little 6’x 6’ room and eventually buying a new home with a 10’ x 16’ building which I still use today.  As does a lot of call makers, I completely hand make all my calls.  I have never had my calls CNC made.  I actually stopped making calls completely in 2016 and didn’t start back until 2019 and that was only to get a call made for the Reelfoot Tn. call maker contest.  Since then I have continued making calls to this day  , for most of the time I only make one or two calls a week . But if I’m bored I will make a couple more calls . 

      I started with acrylics because of the acrylic Taylor Made calls I had , and that was actually the call that made me want to make calls.  Honestly my tools and how I make calls is probably as old school as I can get.  Just a wood lathe and a chisel with a chainsaw file to cut my lanyard grooves.  That’s how I still make calls today. 

     I had my own custom jig made from one of my tone board's.   I used a hacksaw and a table vise to come up with my tone board  back then.

Justin makes calls as a Hobby and lives around the Hot Springs, Arkansas area.  Be sure to stop by and check out his Facebook Page.

Here is a little about Gordon Bragg and Bragging Rights Cut Down Calls. 

  Gordon began chasing ducks at an early age with his dad and uncle in the famous Boeuf River Swamp near Columbia La.  Ever since killing his first mallard at the age of 8 years old, Gordon has been hooked on duck hunting.  As most hunters do, chasing ducks to find that hot spot Gordon progressed in to hunting the rice and Ag fields of North LA and Southern Arkansas.  Gordon upped his game and started guiding in 1995.   He has guided many  hunters all around Louisiana and Arkansas for 26 years, and currently guides for Arkansas County Guide Service still today.   Gordon is known for "cutting" down old "Olt Cutdowns", and after many years he finally took his love for duck hunting and Cutting "Olts" to a new level when he started, Bragging Rights Cut Down Calls. 

   During the off season you can find Gordon cutting calls at his home in Calhoun, Louisiana.  

  If you have an Olt that needs re-tuning, Gordon is your man!

Be sure to stop by and check out Bragging Rights Facebook Page.

Cocobolo and African Black Wood

Here is a little about Chad Gunzenhauser and how he got started making calls. 

    I started making Duck Calls in 2012 as a Small Shop Call Maker.  I’m a middle school wood-shop teacher and had some students that wanted to try their hand at making duck calls.  This was in the beginning of the “Duck Dynasty” era when the craze was really taking off.  So during study halls we messed around with trying our hand at them.  I always hunted geese but ducks were not something we normally targeted.  I got hooked on trying to get a duck call made, that sounded somewhat like a duck.  I had most of the equipment at home from making pens so I started trying different combinations until I had something that sounded somewhat realistic.  

    I made a homemade jig out of wood first, then I made one using tool steel.  It was close but not perfect.   After that I thought I would try my hand at Pot calls for Turkey Hunting.  This was in 2015 when I first made a Pot Call.

    I love to make duck calls using figured burls and hardwood.  For Pot calls, my favorite is a Slate over Glass in a Cocobolo Wood in a Pot call.  

   I believe I got my first custom duck call jig in 2017.  The insert I used to get my custom jig made was one that I made and sold to a customer who happened to be a good friend.  He had it for a couple years and everyone that heard it said they loved it.  I knew that was the one I needed to send in for a jig to be made from.  At that point I was either gonna stop making calls or bite the bullet and pay for the custom call jig.  After some negotiations to get the insert back from my buddy,  I took the dive head first.   

    The thing that keeps me going at it is the feedback from customers. I love the pictures of successful harvest and hunts in the field.  Additionally, my love of woodworking keeps me focused and loving what I do. 

     My biggest accomplishment in duck call making was being named the 2020 Amateur Working Duck Call Maker of the Year at NWTF.  It is an honor to receive such an award and keeps me wanting to improve and continue with each call I make.

    Chad makes calls as a Hobby and lives around the Royersford, Pennsylvania area.  Be sure to stop by and check out his Facebook Page to see his craft.