Name: Craig Rusher
Address: 1404 Education Way Lane; Big Island, VA 24526
Phone: 434-299-5990 Fax:
E-mail: MoccaMocca@msn.com
Personal Website:

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 Terrapin Mountain Turkey Calls

Craig Rusher lives in Big Island Virginia a small town in Bedford County. Bedford County is located in the southwestern part of the state of Virginia and is bounded on the North side by the spectacular Blue Ridge Mountains and Parkway. Born and raised in this area, Craig has made this spot home with his wife and 3 young boys. The fact that Bedford is one of the top 3 counties in the state for deer and turkey is just one more reason he is not looking to move.

Sportsman organizations have always been a part of Craig's life. He is an active member of the NRA, Buckmasters and life member of the North American Hunting Club. An avid hunter for 25 years, Craig has spent most of his time hunting deer, bear and other small game on both private and National Forest land. However, to extend his hunting season he started spring turkey hunting about 7 years ago.

Callmaking for Craig originated from one of his past time hobbies, which is woodworking. Being the type of person that likes to try new and different things it just seemed natural to try his hand at making box calls. The results of this first attempt progressed into what one would call “call making fever”. Although new to the hobby of callmaking, Craig has overcome many of the novice obstacles that callmakers encounter. If you ask him if callmaking came naturally, Craig will tell you, callmaking is a challenge that keeps you trying new and different styles. The toughest challenge is how to improve your sound and make a call that is good enough to win a calling contest.

Craig currently makes two styles of box calls. The first is a glued and sawn type call. This call is 6 inches long and 1 3/4 wide at the base and similar in looks to a Rhom Brothers call only shorter. Combinations of wood include walnut, cedar, poplar & walnut, poplar & cherry, walnut & cherry, walnut & sassafras, cherry & sassafras, cherry & wormy chestnut. The second call designed specifically by Craig himself is bored from a solid block of wood. These solid block calls measure 8 inches long and 1 1/2 in width. Woods used include cedar, cherry, wormy chestnut and walnut.

Box calls are the preferred style Craig likes to make. They are easy to use and don’t have to be replaced every couple of years like mouth calls do. But don’t be fooled into thinking this is all he intends to make. Future plans include the design of friction calls and wing bone calls and the introduction of exotic woods. Yearly production of Craig’s calls ranges from 50 – 100 per year, but Craig hopes to see that change in the near future. If your looking to add a new call to your collection from an up and coming callmaker, be sure to contact Craig and order one of his Terrapin Mountain Turkey Calls.