Neil Cost
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As a result of dedicated game conservation measures and volunteers, wild turkeys began to make a comeback by the late 1960s. Several states were enjoying a spring turkey season for the first time in two generations. Turkey hunting, as we know it today was enjoying a newfound resurgence. Calling contests were also becoming poplar and the majority of competition callers were utilizing mouth diaphragm calls.

I had the good fortune of ordering my first Neil Cost turkey call at the cost of a mere $15. In 1979, while a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army stationed at Fort Benning, Georgia, I had the opportunity to attend the NWTF Grand Nationals in nearby Birmingham, Alabama. It was there that I finally had the opportunity to meet Neil Cost in person. Box calls were simply not utilized among the competition callers who considered them too passé. Billy O'Daniel from South Carolina was crowned Grand National Champion in 1979; he was also a personal favorite of Neil's who also hailed from South Carolina.

What evolved for me from that initial encounter with Neil was a close relationship and friendship that lasted until his death in May of 2002. Along the way, Neil introduced me to countless people, establishing many enduring relationships and friends.

Much has been written about Neil and his call making skills, his innovative ideas, talents as a master craftsman and role as an unquestioned pioneer in the custom turkey call making industry. However, Neil never was one for resting on past accomplishments; he remained driven throughout his life for excellence in his work and in the sound of his calls. His passion for a better sounding and working turkey call would result in the development of various types of calls.

Neil through experimentation, trial and error would try almost anything once. This resulted in many prototype calls, which Neil made and would often give as gifts to friends. Some of these prototype calls were signed while others were not. Neil was also not satisfied to make only box calls; he experimented with slates, strikers and an occasional wingbone or trumpet style yelper. He also was willing to share ideas or opinions with others. Some of his more recognized works in this category are his Hen Tricks, scratch boxes and goose bone strikers.

FRIEND, MENTOR AND LEGEND

Neil D. Cost in the Gobbler Shop

Neil Douglas Cost

 

Neil was an extraordinary individual. He grew up in Oklahoma during the Great Depression and dust bowl era. As a combat medic during World War II and Korea, Neil risked his life to save others. His service almost cost him his own life on two separate occasions. For these selfless acts of heroism, Neil received two Purple Hearts and two Bronze Stars for Valor. Neil also received the highly coveted combat medic badge, which is only awarded during times of conflict. Neil retired from the Army after serving more than twenty years for his country. During this period of his life, Neil also endured the losses of his only son and his wife. Despite these hardships, Neil Douglas Cost remained a great patriot, friend and mentor. For those who met him and knew him, he was invariably a gracious host and a giving friend.

It was at Unicoi State Park in Georgia that Neil first introduced my wife and me to the renowned author and turkey call guru Earl Mickel. Shortly after Neil's death, Mickel, who had been his hunting partner and good friend, had this to say. "Neil Cost was the finest custom call maker this country has ever seen, I have nothing more to add."

Col. Bruce Elliott

United States Army