Bill’s Custom Turkey Calls Owner Bill Keith Interviewed

Jan. 18, 2011 - PRLog -- Grandview, IN – Maximum Draw Products (MDP) has recently become the exclusive distributor of Bill’s Custom Turkey Calls. This new marketing alliance will showcase the dedication and high-quality craftsmanship of Bill’s owner Bill Keith.

Keith, who calls Grandview, IN home, started making turkey calls several years ago and for a period of time sold his calls on the honor system out of a pickup truck – while working fulltime at another job. His turkey call business has grown substantially since then, but Keith still handcrafts every call one at a time and it shows.

Q. Bill, what made you decide to start handcrafting turkey calls?
I thought it would be a neat idea to make a call for myself to hunt with. I found out pretty quickly that it was a lot harder than I thought it would be. It became more interesting as I went on and soon it was something that I enjoyed doing in all my spare time. Even today when I finish a call I feel like I’ve done something pretty neat.

Q. Did you ever think you’d end up making a living off of the calls?
Not even close. I’m still just as dumbfounded as I am grateful.

Q. How long does take to make one of your turkey calls from start to finish?
I can usually have a call ready in a little less than two hours. This doesn’t count the drying time for the sealing and finishing coats inside and out or the adhesive clamp time. That adds about 12 hours.

Q. Explain the differences between your top calls: the Two Faced Loudmouth and the Hilltop Hen?
The Two Faced Loudmouth is actually two calls in one. One side is 3 1/2″ slate and the other is 1 1/2″ aluminum. The slate side has as much volume and versatility as any call you will find. The slate plays easily with very little effort and can be played with as much or as little volume as you want.

The aluminum side is my favorite for the higher volume and long distance needs. The excited cuts and yelps you can make with this call really come in handy for a middle of the day hunt yet it can be quieted down to give raspy yelps, clucks and purrs for the morning hunts.

The Hilltop Hen is a 3 1/2″ slate over glass. This call requires so little effort to use that many people will try to play it too hard at first. It is a super easy call to use. I carry and use both calls in my vest. This is the call that I use to teach kids at shows how to use because it’s so easy to play.

Q. Are your turkey calls guaranteed?
My calls are guaranteed as long as I’m above ground. If there is a problem with any call I make, send it back and I’ll repair or replace it and pay the postage both ways.

Q. How did your relationship begin with Maximum Draw Products?
At my very first time out at a show I met Ronnie Giles (MDP co-owner). He was impressed with my work and we hit it off. We stayed in touch back and forth and he introduced me to Chuck Fisher (MDP founder and co-owner) and it’s all gone from there.

Q. How many times per year are you able to get out of your office and
turkey hunt? What states do you typically hunt in?
Not nearly enough yet. I usually get my bird and then go with anyone else that calls me to go gang up on a Tom.

Last year I hunted Oklahoma and Indiana. This year I have Indiana, Oklahoma, Kentucky, Mississippi and Arkansas planned. Those are my plans but with my calls going well I may have to modify some plans.

Q. How quickly can a novice turkey hunter become proficient at calling?
Actually a person can learn to use a call pretty quickly – especially if they have someone to give a small bit of coaching in the off season. I’ve taught literally hundreds of young people at outdoors shows how to yelp, cluck, and purr in just a few minutes.

Q. Which outdoors industry events and shows do you usually attend?
This year I will be in Tulsa, Oklahoma – Indianapolis, Indiana – Columbus, Ohio – Corbin, Kentucky. I also get to participate in some fund raisers for a couple of good causes.

Q. Why is it so important to introduce hunting to young people?
As many people say these days, it’s the generation that will carry on our sport and continue the important traditions that began many years ago. They will also continue the conservation and management of the outdoor resources for generations to come.

As for myself, the love of the outdoors is the one thing that kept me from heading in the wrong direction as a youth. I firmly believe that going to bed early and being under a hickory nut tree, sitting in a treestand, or listening for the first gobble at daylight is a good choice for a young person – but they have to know about it and it’s up to us to show it to them.

Bill’s Custom Turkey Calls are available to dealers through a marketing alliance with Maximum Draw Products. Interested sales agencies can contact MDP for more information about opportunities in the Northeast and Southern regions of the U.S.

About Maximum Draw Products
Located along the banks of the Mississippi River in Carlisle County, Kentucky, Maximum Draw Products (MDP) was established in late 2005 by average, blue-collar deer hunters. All had a desire to develop quality deer attractants and other hunting products that hunters could actually afford. MDP’s EarthQuake is a leading mineral deer attractant and nutritional supplement that offers a money-back guarantee. MDP is also the exclusive distributor of Bill’s Custom Turkey Calls. Dealer inquiries are welcome. For more information and to see MDP’s entire line of high-performance outdoor products, visit their website at: http://www.MaximumDraw.com

About Bill’s Custom Turkey Calls
Since his first turkey hunt in the Big Cypress area of Florida more than 25 years ago, Bill Keith has been hooked. He went on to design and develop the highest-quality line of hand-crafted turkey calls available. From his humble beginning years ago selling turkey calls out of his pickup truck, Bill’s Custom Turkey Calls are now some of the most sought after calls on the market. For more information about Bill’s Custom Turkey Calls, visit: http://www.BillsCustomTurkeyCalls.com

Media Contact Information
Wild Sports Marketing
Phone: 419-330-1010
Web: http://www.wildsportsmarketing.com