The Man & Story Behind Gobbler Ridge Turkey Calls

Turkey season is here—and instead of just talking tactics, we sat down with a guy who lives and breathes it from a different angle.This episode features Josh Ermer, owner and call maker behind Gobbler Ridge Turkey Calls—a small-batch operation built from the ground up by a diehard hunter who learned the craft the hard way.We get into how he went from a kid getting his first bird called in by his grandpa… to building calls that are now killing birds across the countryThis one’s part storytelling, part craftsmanship, and part practical advice on what actually works in the woods.Josh’s story is about as real as it gets:Started turkey hunting at 12Shot his first bird in 2003 with his grandpaWatched a box call pull birds from 600 yardsThat moment stuck—and turned into an obsession  That early experience didn’t just hook him on hunting—it hooked him on how sound influences birds.Like most guys in this space, it didn’t start as a business.Began experimenting with calls in high schoolStarted with box calls first, then expandedEarly production run: ~80 calls to test and learn  What stands out is how much of it was trial and error—not theory.One of the biggest takeaways from Josh:Grain direction in wood is criticalThe interaction between paddle and box creates the soundSmall variations = completely different tones  That’s the difference between:A call that “makes noise”And one that kills birds consistentlyJosh dropped something interesting:His take:Box calls are the easiest to learnThey offer better range for locating birdsThey’re one of the most effective tools—especially earlyAnd yet… tons of guys skip them entirely.If you strip it down to what works:Start with a box call for volume and distanceCover ground and strike birds from trails or high points  Transition to softer calls (pot or mouth)Close the distance and adjust based on responseIf you’re building a simple, effective kit:His Stage 5 Cleaner (current go-to)Slate → easiest to learnCeramic → more durable, works in wet conditions  Split V or Batwing for versatility  Also worth noting:One of the best parts of the episode wasn’t about gear—it was about passing it on.Josh shared the story of his son’s first turkey:Long hours with no success the first yearCame back the next season and did it rightBird worked off the roost, into decoys, and got it doneThat full-circle moment—from being the kid to being the mentor—is what sticks.  Calling matters more than most guys thinkBox calls are massively underutilizedSound quality comes down to craftsmanship detailsThere’s no “one-size-fits-all” call—especially with diaphragmsTeaching the next generation is as rewarding as killing birdsThere’s a difference between buying gear… and understanding it.Josh isn’t just building turkey calls—he’s building tools that reflect years of trial, failure, and figuring out what actually makes birds respond.And if you listen close in this episode, you’ll pick up a few things that might just help you kill one this spring.🧠 How It All Started🔨 Getting Into Call Making🎯 What Actually Matters in a Turkey CallIt’s not just the call—it’s the details🦃 The Most Underrated Call in Turkey Hunting. A shocking number of hunters don’t even use a box call  🔊 Call Strategy (What He Actually Uses)Locating Birds Working Birds🧰 Recommended Call Setup (From Josh)Box CallPot CallMouth CallMouth calls are highly individual—what works for one hunter might not work for another.  🏹 The Moment That Makes It Worth It💡 Key Takeaways🔥 Quote From the Episode“I couldn’t believe that box call pulled those birds from 600 yards… that’s what stuck with me.”  🏁 Final Thought