Pleasant Surprise

JohnP · March 16, 2010, 08:11:33 PM

On the way home last night I stopped at the mail box for the days mail. I noticed a bubble type envelope but paid no attention to it as I expected it was something the wife had ordered. Threw everything on the table and grabbed a forbidden beer. As she was going through it she flipped me the brown envelope and said this is for you. I looked at the return address and thought who in the heck is Bill Grove? After I opened it I discovered a beautiful looking Manzanita closed reed call, perfectly tuned and realized Bill Grove is Bill's Custom Calls. Bill and I have since exchanged PM's and he will not tell me who the mystery person is that bought it for me. However due to the recent auction you need not be a rocket scientist to figure it out. So I would like to thank Bill for his excellent craftsmanship, the Canadian who told him to send it to Arizona and to all the members here who make this place an enjoyably "home". I have truly enjoyed my time here and have been welcomed from the day I joined. Also, Mr Jim Champion, thank you, for making "this place" "the place"!

The next time I post a picture of this call it will be with a dead predator, however it may be a while as I'm still not to mobile.

Bills Custom Calls · March 16, 2010, 08:18:35 PM

I am glad you like it John
Now just because you got a new call that doesn't mean you have to go hurt your feet trying it out

I can wait to see that call with a coyote
Enjoy it

FinsnFur · March 16, 2010, 08:25:36 PM

When you say that "the next time you post a pic of that call it's going to be with a dead predator"....somehow I do not doubt you even the slightest.

I've seen your work Sir.

As far as this place being the place...and needless to say... it's people just like you and Barry that make this place what it is John. All I do is keep the lights on so we can see what you all is doing.

pitw · March 16, 2010, 09:17:23 PM

Hope you enjoy the call John.

alscalls · March 16, 2010, 09:26:16 PM

coyote101 · March 16, 2010, 09:34:56 PM

There are a lot of good folks on this site, and this is just another example. Nice call John, I hope you get to use it soon.

Pat

Hawks Feather · March 16, 2010, 10:26:34 PM

Looks like the call made it to an appreciated home. As for who sent it, you never can tell. Maybe someone made Barry bid on the call. No one will ever know for sure, but whoever it was did a good thing.

Jerry

GunDog · March 17, 2010, 02:26:23 AM

There is no doubt in my mind that we'll get to see the first fur put down with that fine call. Hats off to all involve in this FNF mystery!

HaMeR · March 17, 2010, 08:07:58 AM

Another purdy cool thing done by one of the great FnF'ers here.

John-- While I don't doubt your praise for Jim it's always the Members that make this board what it is. Just as it is with any of the better boards on the net.

Ech Hunter · March 17, 2010, 04:13:10 PM

Thats a beautiful call

pitw · March 17, 2010, 06:36:19 PM

John the reason you ended up with the call is it's like you, kinda/sorta famous

. After ragging Bill to bid on it and him doing so which I believe is a first in the call making industry I knew I'd be buying it[I think everyone knew that

] but I couldn't have it as people would maybe talk about how I was trying to set a precedent on auctions[and ways for unorthodox people to gather more cash] on the net. Fortunately here at FnF we have some of the most stand up guys I have ever had the chance to mingle with and whom I feel comfortable with pissing around with on these type of deals. Imagine if you will what would have happened on a couple other sites we all know about if a seller were to bid on his own auction[about scared you didn't it].

SCcoyotehunter · March 17, 2010, 07:37:56 PM

I hope you can get out soon for a try. Nice looking call and good luck.

Bills Custom Calls · March 17, 2010, 08:15:43 PM

John
I have to admit I knew the call was gonna be gifted,if Barry won it,but didn't know who it was going to till the day after the auction.I don't that Barry was the one behind it completely,it don't matter though,cause nomatter how ya mix it there are alot of good folks here and this is not the last time this will happen

Thats the only thing I am sure of

clynn · March 17, 2010, 08:26:15 PM

Great story and Great people

FinsnFur · March 18, 2010, 05:16:46 AM

Quote from: pitw on March 17, 2010, 06:36:19 PM
Imagine if you will what would have happened on a couple other sites we all know about if a seller were to bid on his own auction.

That thought went through my mind, and with catastrophic results. I couldnt see anything good coming from from it happening here either.
I shoulda just stopped for a minute and considered who the instigator was though.

HaMeR · March 18, 2010, 08:07:47 AM

The end reason it worked tho was because of the quality of the Members here. If someone did disagree with Bill bidding on his own call they woulda just let it happen & moved on.

JohnP · March 18, 2010, 10:11:29 AM

Although I've only been here a short time compared to some of you guys the thought of it ending in a shouting match never entered my mind. I guess that was because of the type of individuals involved. Whereas if it was on another board I would have grabbed a cold one and some popcorn. Just another reason why I will make an honest effort to attend the next LBL hunt.

P.S. I tried to get out this morning, just could not do it, boots, shoes hurt like hell, and slippers just wouldn't make out in the cactus patches.

KySongDog · March 18, 2010, 03:12:58 PM

My thought while watching the bidding in that Manzanita call thread was "this is a hoot

". Never once did I think anyone would get or be upset. Just because of the kind of guys on this site.

Sure hope you make it to the LBL next February, John. Whether you want to hunt or just BS by the campfire (or both) we'll get you taken care of.