I received an excellent Christmas gift from Skip that has more than a little history behind it.It is a Gibson crow call made from a very special pine tree that dates back into the early 1700’s.Darrell obtained some of this rare wood and turned a few crow calls from it.
Here is a little of the history on the wood used. In the 1700’s to ensure that the best of the mast trees were reserved exclusively for the British Royal Navy, the King of England declared the largest white pines to be his property.They were marked (with King George's broad arrow using a hatchet, an upside down “V” that was then filled with a red dye), protected, and harvested for the government's sole use.By 1776, most of the largest trees had been harvested for masts.
I think Darrell may still have a few of these unique calls left, if you are interested please reach out to him.You need a 287 year old Gibson call in your decrowing tool kit!
Thanks again Field Marshal Woody for your thoughtful gifting... (and the delightful fake crow, above, is courtesy of the one and only Lone Star Phil)
Regards,
-- Edited by Gadget Bob on Wednesday 9th of January 2013 07:30:43 PM
Interesting bit of historical information there. Here in Canada white pines were also considered of strategic military importance to the British Crown as well. Nice call!
Ted
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Bob I called Darrel and wil be ordering one of these calls,Thank you for the information. It was interesting talking with Darrel on the different types of wood he aquires to make calls out of. I finely found out what burl wood is. I have some apple burl wood I saved from part of the apple tree out in the yard. I should mail a couple of them to Darrel and have him make me a few calls out of them. Definitely a good contact. Pat
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Pat: By all means, send your burl apple..to Darrell. IF the wood is suitable, he will most definitely make you a call. IF all of this comes together, be sure to ask in to "sign" your call. It will be a very special part of your crow equipment.
Skip I'll box it up tomorrow. A friend of mine years ago use to shoot into living apple trees with a 22 magnum, When they cut the apple trees down years afterwards they would cut the disfigured tree up to make stuff, I seen a couple of picture frames made out of the wood, the grain pattern was nice looking. Pat
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Walk lightly, Carry a Big Stick & NEVER WALK AWAY!!!
Super!! IF Darrell can make a call out of the wood, you will cherish it for a lifetime. I would include my phone number and ask him to call you once he determines IF the wood will make a call or calls. You might want more than one. Please post pictures! I have never seen.. an APPLE wood crow call.
Back in 1984-85 I was a professional cowboy on a ranch just south of Salmon, Idaho. (I wish I was there still instead of a school teacher in Maine) The year before I arrived a large tree had fallen across a canyon trail and had to be cut to open the trail. Boise State University had come in and cut a couple of slabs and they dated the tree at several hundred years old, something like 750 but my old memory doesn't come through. plus, being an 18 year old, it wasn't important to me unless it had to do with girls, alcohol, big trucks or hunting/fishing.......not necessarily in that order...........
Good point... Since those trees were already huge in the early 1700's to be marked for the king, one should probably add a couple of hundred years to my estimated date. Maybe even 300 to 400 years.
Good point... Since those trees were already huge in the early 1700's to be marked for the king, one should probably add a couple of hundred years to my estimated date. Maybe even 300 to 400 years.
Regards,
Gadget Bob,
That King had many trees marked right here in Maine. My buddy's father worked as a ranger here and they found a couple white pines back in the 50's that still had the scars of the King's mark.
I'm not positive, but I think they have one of the log sections with the mark on it at the state museum.