Fan Mail
Turkey Beads Spark Light Bulbs
I read with interest J.J. Reich’s article on “Bead-It Turkey” (July/August 2009 Turkey Call).
Having harvested my first bird, back in 1975 in Michigan, and hunting here in South Carolina for 25 years now also, my “light bulb” came on a few years back!
Just wanted to share a picture of my killer collar hat, and to say that I support all my feathered friends organizations.
I’m ready to go to layer two on the hat, with the two sets of spurs from this year.
Charlie Southworth, Gaffney, S.C.
Turkey Country Feedback
I just finished my new Turkey Country magazine and I must say it is probably the best looking magazine I have seen in some time. I worked in the magazine publishing business for 40 years, working on top name magazines such as Field & Stream, Southern Living, American Rifleman, Leatherneck, Car and Driver, Bon Apetite, NewsWeek, U.S. News & World Report and many others.
The new format is absolutely stunning and the print work is perfect.
I guess I should say I am a relatively new NWTF member and second-year turkey hunter. I have hunted all my life. I just got into turkey hunting and I love it. I look forward to each issue and read them through and through.
Keep up the great work and pass along my thanks and appreciation to all involved for a job well done.
Ken Houchin, Maditon, Tenn.
As an avid turkey hunter and faithful subscriber to Turkey Call, I can’t tell you how disappointed I am in the new format of Turkey Country. I always looked forward to reading the articles and helpful hints in Turkey Call. If I were interested in the other magazines I would have subscribed to them. Combining all of them into one does not work for me.
Jim De Luca, via e-mail
I just got the new Turkey Country magazine and when I look at the cover all I can say is WOW!
It is very impressive and reminds me of a beautiful, cool, crisp fall day. I like the layout and all the extras you threw in.
The idea of taking your four books and rolling them into one was a good idea. This one magazine has something for every member of the family. Good job.
Barbara Day, Realtree
Thank you for the fabulous first issue of Turkey Country. You did a great job consolidating all the magazines into one. I really enjoyed flipping through to see what the topics were. (I never cheat and use the index!) I read it from cover to cover — every story.
As a chapter president in New York state, I can share with all our members and volunteers how excited I am that this is really dedicated to all of us. You have truly handled the challenge with a great balance.
I agree with Brenda Valentine, “with this new magazine…everyone has the opportunity to stay in the loop about everything going on with the Federaton.”
I also like the note from CEO George Thornton. We do have a mission we strive to uphold, and the three-word slogan works perfectly. Hunt. Conserve. Share.
Liz Reinhart, chapter president
Schoharie County Ridge Runners, Root, N.Y.
The new magazine was very impressive. I am embracing the changes in the NWTF because they make sense.
In the early 1990s, my school district and really all of Texas proposed a new concept to us educators called the “Paradigm Shift.” Transition into new ideas may cause some people to approach kicking and screaming because they liked the old ways.
Did you ever hear someone say, “That’s the way it’s always been done?” The NWTF has undergone a paradigm shift of sorts.
Dorothy McCarver, via e-mail
I am a turkey hunter. I care about turkey hunting. I want stories about turkey hunting, turkey hunting tips and the like. In this new publication, I had to weed through all the way to page 117 just to find an article that actually discussed the act of hunting turkeys. I’m not now nor ever will be interested in stories about quail, or how to catch oysters or recipes on how to cook them for that matter. Nor do I care about kayak trips in Pittsburgh or how to take pictures of gardens. Where did the turkey content go?
Now don’t get me wrong, I have nothing against women. My wife hunts, as do both of my daughters. But this magazine resembles the many “women’s” publications you see in doctor’s offices that are full of ads and fluff and quarter page-sized articles about nothing important. I can only assume that this is due to the “women of the NWTF” taking over.
Duane Hall, Pennsylvania
I’ve been an NWTF member since early ‘70s and ask why the change. Turkey Call was dedicated solely to turkeys, turkey biology, turkey habitat enhancement and turkey hunting. That was it. Now I see a women’s hunting section and women’s clothes advertisements, quail hunting, trapping and other non-turkey related articles. How about getting back to strictly turkeys?
Robert S. Andrews, Richmond, Va.
I received my Turkey Country and have spent some time reading through the different sections. It is packed.
I liked the articles about Women in the Outdoors and Wheelin’ Sportsmen (had not received this info previously with Turkey Call). I also liked Tom Kelly’s article. As a good boy award, I gave myself six books written by the Colonel to complete my library.
I was particularly interested in the Hawaii report (National News: Making Tracks) about the hunt at Parker Ranch. We are doing a back-to-back cruise to Hawaii and have found the ranch’s Web site. I don’t know if I will get to hunt there during our trip, but I plan to gather more info while in Hawaii.
So, all in all, it’s a great magazine with more and different articles. As a quail hunter, I also liked the cooperative work in supporting habitat restoration for quail, songbirds and turkeys.
The feature story about Dick Kirby was right on. I have used several of his mouth calls and did not know that he developed the rounded box call paddle.
I really like what the NWTF and the Turkey Country staff have done to make this the preimere conservation communicator. Thanks for all your hard work.
Bernie Moore, via e-mail
“City Girl’s” First Event
My “city girl” daughters and I enjoyed the biggest and best Women in the Outdoors event in Texas in May.
The day began in Plano around 6 a.m. by diligently attempting to rouse my daughter Mary, 19, out of bed while she kept saying, “It’s raining. I don’t want to go!”
I packed some final items in the Suburban — my rifle, handgun and fishing rods — in anticipation of going to our property near the event later in the day. When I went in the house for one last thing, I found Mary standing near the front door looking tired and disgruntled. After pleading with her to join us, she reluctantly dressed, got in the car and slept the whole two and a half hour drive!
The event was impeccably organized. Upon arrival, a polite young Texan, who was driving an ATV pulling a trailer loaded with hay and other women, transported us. Throughout the day more than 200 women were escorted that way.
Check-in went well, and with about 30 classes offered, we were anxious to see our schedules. My daughter, Sandy, 24, a Spanish teacher, didn’t get her first choice of salsa dancing, since she just registered that week.
We proceeded to our classes, while Mary looked chagrin stating, “I want to go home.” Mary’s first class was bull riding. Sandy, a Texas A&M graduate, and I began with the car care class where she won a set of jumper cables. We enjoyed the instructor, especially since he has two “Aggie” children. Jokes were exchanged, of course. We participated in more classes, learned useful skills and made memorable crafts.
Lunchtime was enjoyable, and we excitedly listened for raffle and silent auction winners and mingled with the participants, helpers and instructors.
Even Mary happily exclaimed, “Mom, I want to come back next year!”
We ventured off with new friends from the event and practiced shooting and fishing. The instructors insisted on my girls filleting fish with a knife hooked up to a car battery!
On the drive home, Sandy shared that she had not done so many things in one day in a long time. Her favorite classes were photography and marksmanship.
Encourage your family and friends to attend Women in the Outdoors events. And y’all come on down to Clarksville, Texas, next year and join a grand adventure.
Debbie Russell, Plano, Texas