STRUT Commander Turkey Box Call Review
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Turkey hunting is a game of patience, strategy, and calling ability. While some hunters prefer diaphragm or slate calls, box calls are a favorite for ease of use, realistic sound, and proven field performance. The STRUT Commander Turkey Box Call gives hunters a simple yet effective way to make realistic turkey sounds without years of practice.
This box call is portable, dependable, and right for everyone, from first-time to experienced turkey hunters. The Commander makes loud, clear yelps and cuts that distant gobblers can hear, but it can also make softer clucks and purrs for close-in work.
In this review, we’ll go over the product specs, build quality, ease of use, performance, and the most common questions hunters have before they buy.
STRUT Commander Turkey Call Specifications
| Type | Dual-sided turkey box call |
| Style | Dugout Pallbearer |
| Measurements | 11” x 2.5” x 5” |
| Weight | 4.64 ounces |
| Material | Hardwood |
| Intended Use | Turkey hunting and locator calling |
| Price | $23.47 Amazon |
The lightweight nature of this call is one of its strongest advantages. Turkey hunters often walk long distances and spend hours moving through woods and fields, so gear weight is important. The Commander’s small footprint is easy to carry without being bulky or cumbersome.
The call may be small, but it still makes a big sound. That balance of portability and sound projection makes it useful for hunters covering different types of terrain, from thick hardwood forests to open farmland.
STRUT Commander Turkey Box Call: Build Quality & Reliability
One of the first things you will notice about the STRUT Commander is its solid hardwood construction. The Commander uses high-quality hardwood components to create the crisp, high notes and raspy finishes. The lid and sound chamber fit together well, which is important because even small inconsistencies can negatively affect sound quality in a box call.
The finish is clean, and it feels durable enough for repeated use throughout multiple seasons. These points matter where equipment gets exposed to moisture, dirt, and rough handling.
Reliability in the Field
This call is particularly reliable. The paddle movement is smooth and controlled, which makes it easier to produce a consistent sound. Some cheaper box calls will start squeaking or develop a funny tone after a while, but the Commander is solid with just basic maintenance.
Portability is another strong suit. Its slim profile easily fits in a vest pocket or side pouch without snagging or adding any additional weight. Constantly on the move, hunters look for birds and appreciate not having to lug oversized gear.
Like most wooden box calls, you should protect it from excessive moisture. Wet conditions can have a temporary effect on sound quality, though that is common with almost all traditional wooden turkey calls.
Ease of Use & Setup
Another selling point of the STRUT Commander Turkey Box Call is its ease of use for beginners.
Unlike diaphragm calls, which often require extensive practice and mouth control, box calls are far easier to learn. The Commander follows the traditional box call format: simply drag the paddle across the lip of the box to create turkey vocalizations.
Most hunters can produce recognizable yelps within minutes of first using the call.
Beginner-Friendly Design
The Commander is particularly good for beginners because:
- It requires very little setup.
- The strong sound comes naturally, with minimal technique and no excessive effort.
- The paddle grip feels comfortable and controlled.
The call can create:
- Yelp sequences
- Clucks
- Purrs
- Cuts
- Excited hen calls
The learning curve is relatively short compared to other call types. Even inexperienced hunters can create convincing sounds with a little practice.
Maintenance & Setup
It is a sparse setup. In most cases, the call is ready to use. Hunters only need to keep the striking surfaces clean and dry.
Some hunters use chalk to maintain friction and improve sound consistency, but generally, maintenance is straightforward.
The simple design means there aren’t many mechanical issues to worry about. No electronics, no batteries, no complicated moving parts that might fail on a hunt.
Why Would Hunters Buy the STRUT Commander Turkey Box Call?
The STRUT Commander Turkey Box Call excels in one primary area: producing loud, realistic turkey sounds with minimal effort.
Hunters buy this call because they want:
- An easy-to-use turkey call
- Reliable sound quality
- Strong volume for locating gobblers
- A dependable backup call
- A beginner-friendly option
- A lightweight field call
For hunters using diaphragm calls, the Commander is a simpler alternative that delivers authentic turkey sounds.
What the STRUT Commander Turkey Box Call Does Well
Excellent Volume
The Commander projects sound extremely well. Loud yelps carry long distances, making it effective for striking birds across ridges, valleys, or open fields.
Realistic Tone
The hardwood construction adds natural rasp and tone variation to the call that many hunters look for in turkey calls.
Operation Simplicity
The call does not require advanced skill and performs consistently. You can spend less time worrying about complex calling techniques and more time on setup and movement.
Adaptability
It is a very good locator call, though it can also be used for softer calls in close-range work.
Excellent Value
For many hunters, the Commander offers strong performance without the premium custom-call pricing.
Potential Drawbacks of the STRUT Commander Turkey Box Call
No turkey call is perfect, and there are a few limitations:
- Wooden calls can be affected by moisture.
- It may not offer the ultra-refined tonal range of high-end custom calls.
- Box calls are generally louder and harder to conceal than mouth calls.
Still, for most hunters, these are relatively minor trade-offs given the call’s simplicity and effectiveness.
Common Questions: STRUT Commander Turkey Call
Is it pre-chalked?
STRUT Commander Turkey Box Calls arrive pre-chalked and ready to use. Regular chalking helps preserve friction and maintain clean sound quality.
Is it for beginners?
Yes. This is one of the best aspects of the Commander. The call is very beginner-friendly because it produces realistic sounds without requiring advanced technique. New hunters can quickly learn basic yelps and clucks, making it an excellent starter turkey call.
At the same time, seasoned turkey hunters will appreciate its reliability and volume.
Is it made in the USA?
Yes. It is hand-built in the USA by “craftsmen who have a passion for turkeys.”
STRUT Commander Turkey Call: Cheap & Effective
The STRUT Commander Turkey Box Call is a reliable, budget-friendly turkey call that does the job well. Lightweight hardwood construction, realistic sound quality, and ease of operation make it particularly attractive to the beginner and the casual turkey hunter.
What I like about this call is that it’s simple but effective. It emits loud, realistic turkey sounds and requires little practice or a complicated setup. If you are a hunter looking for a reliable locator call or an easy-to-pack-in-the-field option, you will probably be very happy with its performance.
While not a complete replacement for the top-end custom calls that serious hunters use to produce very specialized sounds, the Commander is a great overall value for the vast majority of turkey hunters.
If you’re in the market for a portable, entry-level, reliable turkey box call that performs well in real hunting situations, STRUT Commander is definitely worth a look.
My overall rating of the STRUT Commander Turkey Box Call: 5/5 
- Durable Poplar Wood: Crafted from strong poplar this box call is built to last through rough hunts and changing weather making it a dependable choice for anyone who needs a call that works season after season
- Realistic Two-Tone Turkey Sounds: Dual-sided design helps you produce rich yelps and clean rollover sounds with natural tone change that brings gobblers in close with lifelike realism you can count on in the field
- Pre-Chalked and Hunt Ready: Skip the prep this call comes pre-chalked and ready to use right out of the box saving you time and effort so you can get straight to calling when the moment counts
Looking for more turkey call reviews? Check out our review of the Glass Hammer Pot Turkey Call.