Name/Title
Archibald Rutledge Miss Seduction Box CallsEntry/Object ID
VTC001A0004Description
Archibald Rutledge(1883 -1973) was a prolific writer, earning him the distinction of being South Carolina’s first Poet Laureate. He was even nominated for a Pulitzer Prize. As quoted from the 2026 book The Origin and Evolution of Turkey Calls by Rogers, Ellis, McDonald & Powell, "Among his favorite subjects in many of his books (of which he wrote upwards of 50) were the wild turkeys he hunted throughout the long fall season at his beloved Hampton Plantation. One of the oft-repeated phrases in the turkey hunting world is attributed to Rutledge, who wrote, “Some men are mere hunters, others are turkey hunters.”
The boxes are roughly constructed from thin wooden pieces and brads (small nails), with carpet tacks affixed to the sides of some. The modern hunter may harshly judge the sound of the boxes, but must consider that these boxes were not being used to produce strings of yelps and cutts chasing spring gobblers. Careful use of the boxes and following the instructions preserved from Rutledge yields the clucks of a young gobbler, a common call to make in fall hunting. The instructions call for loosely handling the cover (paddle) and "permitting it to turn, give it free play." This is important as with other early box calls, there is no spring under the screw between the paddle and base, so it operates differently than box calls made today.Collection
Danny Ellis CollectionCataloged By
Brent RogersCondition
Overall Condition
GoodDate Examined
Feb 1, 2026Created By
Brent@awthf.orgCreate Date
February 1, 2026Updated By
Brent@awthf.orgUpdate Date
February 1, 2026
