Best Custom Grunt Call

What’s the best ones on the market today? Got folks asking what I want for Christmas this year and thought I’d go for one.

Well there’s a man David Leonard that makes a mighty fine grunt call. He’s still a member here but don’t think he posts much on here. He’s in phenix city I believe. I have one myself and it’s the best sounding call I’ve ever had

Old crow…

He’s a dang good guy too, he sent me one for free few weeks ago just for asking about his bow season this year…

Houndstooth walnut deer grunt ain’t bad

Houndstooth sound real good and adjustable

x2 on Old Crow

I’ve got Old Crow and David Leonard custom calls and they both sound and look terrific. Both solid dudes as well.

I just spoke with Mr. Leonard. Beautiful calls. I placed my order.

Rich

Hooks

Big Rack that is on Al deer and his dad make a good grunt call

I've been friends with David Leonard for about 10 years now. When I first met him,he would always show me cool stuff he made in his wood working shop as a hobby. After 2 years of me begging him to make me a grunt call,he finally did and the rest is history; he ain't looked back since. I've prob purchased 6 or 7 over the years for other people and have a few for myself. It's the best sounding call I've ever used. His are also tunable as well. If you slide the band all the way down the reed,it even makes a great doe bleet. Here's a vid of a 115/120" 8 coming to me on a string 2 days ago 3 minutes after I did a tending grunt sequence. He came to 5 yards and circled my tree 3x. I do not use bait either,so really no other reason he came to me other than looking for another buck.

David Leonard is a top notch guy and his calls cant be beat

can I just call the guy on the number listed above?

yes

quote=3bailey3]can I just call the guy on the number listed above?[/quote]

You can text him or call him. Either one. If you can't get ahold of him,send me a pm; I keep in contact with him pretty regular and can pass along the message or give him your number

I bought two from David Leonard recently and they sound superb. Plus they are absolutely beautiful

Just curious what do David’s calls typically run $ ? I’ve never looked into the custom side before.

Thank ya Sir.

I’ve got two on the way made by David Leonard

You won't be disappointed!

Johnny Broadway (RIP) made a good one. I have one of his earlier ones.

X2!! Mine is with me at all times in the woods

My buddy owns Heirloom Game Calls out of Louisiana. He makes very nice calls.

David’s grunt calls are $50 + Shipping. He has some Trappers that are a little more complex glueing patterns. They are $75 + Shipping. I just ordered one of each. He is a super nice guy, I’d recommend him to anyone considering a custom call!

I have 3 from Brian. Traded him a Shark Guard for em. They sound and look great.

Read this book- have not purchased call but it was an interesting read:
'https://www.amazon.com/Deer-Talk-Don-Laubach/dp/1931832463

Before ordering a few for Christmas gifts, for those of you that have recently ordered, what is the current turn around time?

I ordered yesterday he shipped them and scheduled to be here tomorrow

Hell, didn't know you knew Brian. He's talented.

David Leonard..... You will not regret it.... You will return for more..... David Leonard is a great guy.

Unless I missed David's # earlier in the thread, would someone post his number here?

Nm, just saw the number in the bag.

He finished mine up, and they should be here less than a week from when I ordered them.

How’s the sound of those compared to something like a Houndstooth call?

Here’s the set he made for me. Peruvian walnut and purple heart, and Peruvian walnut with cherry

I got a beautiful Carlo Walnut grunt yesterday from Old Crow. It looks great and sounds even better. Part of the reed mechanism is metal and it has a ball to keep the reed from sticking. Tone is adjustable. It'll get soft or loud and maintain a true tone. There's a lot of dead bucks in that call.

Houndstooth makes a good one

Where’d you get it?
That sounds like a killer

Old Crow Custom Calls . 850-503-2458 man's name is Val.

I told him I wanted a simple , darker wood with a sound that will challenge mature bucks. I think he hit a home run.

Val is a great guy, and absolutely hilarious. Also a veteran!

Got these 3 headed my way from David, Great guy to work with!

I ad two in the mail when I got home. They sound sweet.

Proof is in the pudding. I have 4 years worth of videos of bucks coming to my stand looking for the buck. David is a humble guy and will never talk up his own calls,but I'm here to tell you,they are the real deal. Way better than some 20 or 30 dollar call made in China rebranded for primos or realtree. I always try to make mine sound like a young buck,never real deep; that's what I hear most of in the woods so that's what I try to mimic,and it's worked pretty danged good. Enjoy those calls!!

Ill tell you something about David Leonard. I dont know him really well nor have i known him for a long time but we have talked some and got to know each other a little. Mr Leonard spends alot of time building these calls to help hunters have success. Thats a pretty big deal to me, putting forth effort to help others be successful. Yes, he gets paid for his work but in my opinion he dont charge near what he could. I believe to him its more about the result than the money. Just a good dude. I would rather do business with him that a sporting goods store, any time every time. Hope yall have the same experience with him. I would definitely give him a try.

I agree JW a class guy that builds a great caller! Slayin how do you make that sound you are talking about? soft grunts?

So what we looking like on price? Got a son about to graduate from high school and this and maybe a good turkey call could be a good gift

For the pitch,I'll slide the band (on the reed) to the portion of the reed that most closely resembles what I would classify as a younger buck grunt,ie,higher pitch-if you slide the band farther than necessary ,it will actually sound more like a doe bleat. For the cadence,I'll usually do a tending grunt-short quick grunts,making sure to change the direction I'm facing each time. Deeper buck grunts sound cool and like a big nasty swamp donkey,but I don't always think a buck wants to face the biggest,baddest buck on the planet. Maybe they like going into fights they think they can win?

lefthorn $50 a steal of a good deal for a great caller, I can put you on a great turkey call for a great price also...

How do you order one? I messaged him a week or more ago on Facebook and never heard back from him.

I know he's been real busy lately,and truth be told,he just got on facebook,so may not even know how to access his messages. I'd shoot him a text or call the number listed on the business card that was posted earlier in this thread. He should get right back with you; I know he just got a new batch of wood last week. Some really good looking stuff to. May have him turn me another zebra wood grunter. Can never have to many

I set mine on the deeper tones , I want to challenge the big, mature studs.

In my short tenure hunting (30 years) I have heard less than 10 deep bellowing grunts in the woods. Heard about 10 times as many young bucks grunting in the higher pitch. I'm just saying what has worked for me,and worked very well on our place.

After seeing the replies I quickly ordered one last week. Talked to Mr. Leonard via text and had one in my hand by the end of the week. Call looks good, but more importantly it sounds good. Thanks for the recommendations!

His number is posted earlier, but is 706-249-3003. His turkey tube is some count, too.

Ordered 2 from him last week. Looking forward to receiving them.

Yes he answers text almost immediately!

I texted with David Leonard some this evening. He said thanks to everyone who placed orders. He is doing his best to get them all out in good time.

Someone must have given him my number, which is great. Thanks. He just texted me.

I did

thanks!

Please, please don't do what I did, he wood burns them to you or if a gift to the person you want to send it to! David typed out what I wanted for a buddy and ask twice if I was sure that was right and I said yep that's it. Right before I went to bed last night I looked at the pic again and I had spelled my buddies name wrong, I texted David about it after 10:30 last night, call was boxed and ready to go, he unpacked it and fixed my mess up! That is a super nice Man right there!

My wife called David less than a week ago to order a custom Trapper for me for Christmas, it arrived yesterday, that thing is super sweet and sounds amazing.

I had contacted him after reading this thread, just got mine in the mail yesterday. He was great to work with, could not have been easier.

I'll have mine Wednesday. Would have already gotten it but I asked him to wait and mail it today so it wouldn't get wet. Now it's gonna get delivered Wednesday while it's coming a monsoon. Sheesh

I’m headed back from Kansas and should have 2 there when I get home.

Sent a text to the phone # posted on here and…… nothing.

After reading all the reviews about David, I gave him a text last week. I have an Old Crow grunt from a couple of years ago but I wanted to try a different grunt. David was very easy to work with and very prompt. I know he is swamped with all the orders, but he dropped my grunts in the mail yesterday. Although I havent used the grunts yet, I would highly recommend David.

I text him yesterday afternoon and got a response. I’m on the waiting list

Val with Old Crow builds great calls; both deer and turkey. He has won a bunch of call building awards and those are typically judged by other call builders. And as mentioned, retired Navy and ridiculously funny.

^^^
Sounds like good call - prob next one I buy but I prob good for this year

I really like David - super nice guy and I like his grunt - but when I try the one I just bought w the one I got from David - I like houndstooth grunt bettr - but best I remember houndstooth cost lot more too

How much are David Leonard and Houndstooth calls?

My hounds tooth was like $34 plus tax

Can remember what I paid for David’s last year - but was guessing it was not that much

Davids has an awesome sound and awesome guy to deal with and it may just be mine - but it is very low volume - not sure u could hear it past 60 yards and on a day w 10 plus mile hour wind - doubt u hear that far and when I try to produce more volume - it gives a real jacked up sound 😀

Spoke with David yesterday, I’m like #72 on the list but looking forward to getting my hands on it.

I ordered two of them, should be here on Thursday!!

Mine is getting mailed tomorrow

Called Val at old crow today. He had about 14 he just finished today. I got 2 coming my way. Great guy to talk to.

Mine came in today. I like it

Ordered two and they should be here Monday. David is a great guy to deal with, you will not be disappointed!

I got my David Lenard grunt out and was using it today n the house - just did not sound that good and if blew hard at all it started squealing 🤣

I got to playing w the Reed and changed it moving the oring - thing sounds dang good now - so I got 2 good ones In this and the houndstooth

On a side note some of u may not know - David also makes a dang solid slate call - he made me one - good dude

I have a couple of his turkey call and crow calls
They are excellent

He text me a photo of mine Saturday should have it before the rut kicks in, looking forward to using it.