The Compassionate Savage The Latest From Black Lightning Custom Calls

After meeting Mr. Stanley in person, Equalized Outdoors takes a closer look at The Compassionate Savage—a handcrafted pot call built by a five-time Georgia State Champion turkey caller whose reputation continues to grow across the turkey hunting community.

By Justin Campbell | Equalized Outdoors

Some introductions in the turkey woods come through reputation. Others happen the way they should—face to face, with a call in your hands and the man who built it showing you exactly how it’s meant to run.

That’s how I was introduced to The Compassionate Savage, the newest pot call from Mr. Stanley of Black Lightning Custom Calls, when he placed it in my hand and showed me how he runs it.

I recently had the opportunity to spend some time with Mr. Stanley, talking turkey hunting and running calls at the 50th annual National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) Convention in Nashville last month. If you spend enough time around the turkey hunting community, his name eventually comes up.

Mr. Stanley, aka Black Lightning, is a five-time Georgia State Champion turkey caller, and his work has steadily gained attention among hunters who appreciate both craftsmanship and authentic turkey sound.

His presence has also become increasingly visible in the turkey-hunting world. Mr. Stanley has been featured on banners hanging outside the NWTF Convention parking lot. Mr. Stanley has also been featured in Turkey Call Magazine (July/August 2022 edition), a publication long respected within the turkey hunting community.

When he handed me The Compassionate Savage, it was immediately clear that the call reflects the experience behind it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDlt_AtW1aY

The Compassionate Savage

The Compassionate Savage is a crystal pot friction call designed to produce clean, natural turkey vocalizations without requiring excessive pressure.

One of the first things you notice when running the call is how responsive it is. The crystal surface allows the striker to glide smoothly, producing clear yelps, clucks, and purrs without forcing the sound. That responsiveness makes the call approachable for newer hunters while still offering the control experienced callers expect when working a bird that’s starting to close the distance.

Each Compassionate Savage call includes a matched striker, designed to complement the crystal surface and bring out a range of tones. The combination allows hunters to work through subtle vocalizations that often make the difference when a longbeard hangs up just out of range.

The Story Behind the Name

When Mr. Stanley handed me the call, I asked him about the name.

The answer was simple.

“I’m just a simple man,” Mr. Stanley told me. “But when I get on that stage during competitions, I’m going to be a savage.”

That contrast—humility off the stage and intensity when it’s time to call—is where The Compassionate Savage gets its name.

Anyone who has watched competition turkey calling understands the level of focus it takes to perform at that level. At the same time, hunters who spend even a few minutes talking with Mr. Stanley quickly see the other side of the name as well: a craftsman who takes the time to talk calls, explain technique, and share what he has learned over decades in the turkey woods.

Built by a Champion Caller

There’s a difference between someone who builds turkey calls and someone who builds them after decades of successfully chasing gobblers.

Mr. Stanley’s experience as both a hunter and a competition caller directly influences how his calls are designed. The focus isn’t simply craftsmanship—it’s performance. The goal is a call that produces realistic turkey sounds in the woods when it matters most.

Every call from Black Lightning Custom Calls is handcrafted by Mr. Stanley, which means availability can vary depending on demand. That hands-on approach is part of what has helped the brand gain traction among hunters who prefer equipment built by people deeply rooted in the sport.

Author's Compassionate Savage

Accessible Craftsmanship

Another notable aspect of The Compassionate Savage is its accessibility.

Custom turkey calls frequently climb well past the $100 mark, particularly as demand grows around a particular maker. The Compassionate Savage remains priced below that range, offering hunters access to a handcrafted call without stepping into premium collector territory.

For hunters who intend to carry their calls into the woods every morning of the season rather than keeping them on a display shelf, that balance between craftsmanship and practicality matters.

How to get a Compassionate Savage from Black Lightning Custom Calls

Hunters interested in ordering a call can contact Mr. Stanley directly through Black Lightning Custom Calls on social media. Because each call is handmade, there may be a waiting list at times, depending on demand and the time of year.

Final Thoughts

Calls like The Compassionate Savage from Black Lightning Custom Calls are a reminder that turkey hunting still has craftsmen behind it.

Meeting Mr. Stanley and seeing the care he puts into his work makes it clear why Black Lightning Custom Calls continue to earn recognition among dedicated turkey hunters.

When a call is built by someone who has spent decades studying the language of wild turkeys, that knowledge shows up in the sound.

And in the turkey woods, sound is everything.