William Lester Trumpet Turkey Calls

William Lester makes handmade trumpet turkey calls in the Mississippi Delta. Contact him directly.

Updated Oct 23, 2026. Edited by: Ilyass Ben Hakim.

Where to buy

Lester sells small runs of handmade calls. His Instagram account is the most direct contact. Resales sometimes appear on eBay and call collector groups.

Professional insight

Call collectors judge a custom trumpet by maker marks, materials and tone. Provenance matters more than finish.

Ask for a signature or maker stamp photo.
Request a sound clip before paying.
Check mouthpiece and bell joints for cracks.
Ask what wood or bone the call uses.

Check the label

Maker name or initials stamped or signed on the call.
Year of make, if the maker dates his calls.
Materials named, such as wood type or bone.
Clear photos of the bell, tube and mouthpiece.
Any lanyard or case listed as included.
Seller name and return terms on resale listings.

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William Lester trumpet calls at a glance

Lester is a Mississippi Delta artist. He also makes watercolors, turkey and waterfowl block prints, and hand-carved decoys.

His calls are trumpet style, played by sucking air through the mouthpiece. He notes his design differs from a traditional Turpin trumpet.

Red flags

Listings that use his name with no maker mark shown.
Stock photos instead of photos of the actual call.
Sellers who will not share a sound clip.
Mass-made trumpets sold as custom work.

Tips

Trumpets take practice; start with soft yelps.
Keep the mouthpiece clean and dry after hunts.
Store the call away from heat to prevent cracks.
Carry it on a lanyard to avoid losing it.

Common questions

Does William Lester have an online store?: No store was found. Message his Instagram account to ask.
What is a trumpet turkey call?: A suction call with a tube and bell that mimics hen yelps.
Are his calls easy for beginners?: Trumpets take more practice than box or slate calls.