Tyrone Area High School Class of 1991 alumnus Mark Cornelius has built an impressive name for himself, crafting some of the best turkey calls in the world and using them to win competitions across North America.
Contrary to popular myth, turkeys are intelligent birds with keen eyesight, good memory, and complex social structures. They can produce over 20 distinct vocalizations for communication and have the ability to recognize individual humans and other turkeys from long distances.
In the sport of turkey hunting, a reliable and realistic device to mimic a turkey’s natural call is just about as important as the gun used to hunt them with.
That’s where Cornelius’ skill in hunting and craftsmanship came together.
“I wanted a better and more consistent call,” said Cornelius, who wasn’t satisfied with what was available in the commercial market and decided to combine his interest in woodworking and hunting and start building calls of his own.
Cornelius first developed a love for woodworking through his carpentry classes at Tyrone Area High School. That early spark has since grown into a lifelong passion and a thriving business.
Today, Cornelius is the owner and master craftsman behind MAC Custom Turkey Calls, a successful company he has been building for over two decades.
His products, which he promotes primarily through Facebook, have earned decades of loyalty from customers across the country and awards from the judges in several competitions.
Turkey calling competitions are like a sport within a sport, with events held across the country. Cornelius began entering competitions himself almost 20 years ago and has since achieved incredible success in the sport.
Among his many accomplishments, Cornelius holds the title of International World Champion from the North American Turkey Call Makers Championship held in Canada. He is also a Grand National Champion and a multiple state champion, always using a call that he crafted.
Making a turkey call is both an art and a science, requiring patience, skill, and precision.
Cornelius described his process step by step:
“Step one is to cut the wood into a 4×4 square, step two would be to turn that round, step three would be to put the sound holes in the call, step four would be to put it in the lathe and cut the call into its dimensions, step five would be to put the finish on the call, step six would be to glue the sound board and plain surface end, and step seven would be to play the call and make sure it sounds properly,” said Cornelius.
This meticulous process has led to years of success and growth for Cornelius. His craftsmanship and dedication have opened doors to remarkable opportunities.
There are many award-winning turkey callers and hunters across the country who exclusively use MAC calls.
Though he started with little experience, his determination and hours of trial and error helped him perfect the precise measurements and distinctive sound that define MAC Custom Turkey Calls today.
