 |
Steve Hickoff
|
|
Hickoff's HandbookSteve Hickoff
Many turkey hunters have seen the name Steve Hickoff. It's hard to miss, as this outdoor writer's byline appears in numerous magazines and websites every week. But few who know him call him by his first name.
Most who meet Hickoff immediately feel comfortable and relaxed around him and refer to him by only his last name — just like you'd treat a longtime friend.
Hickoff's story
Hickoff was born and raised in north-central Pennsylvania. When he's not turkey hunting across the country, Maine is his home base. His wife, Elizabeth, and daughter, Cora, share their log cabin home with the family's two English Setters.
"Since I was a kid, I have always been an avid reader of outdoor magazines," Hickoff said. This early passion grew into a long career of writing about his hunting adventures, as well as how-to stories.
"I love the craft of writing, editing, shooting photographs and everything else that goes with it," he said.
Hickoff is widely considered one of the top outdoor writers and promoters of wild turkeys and turkey hunting. That's no surprise, as he has two writing diplomas; a bachelor's degree from Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania, and a master's degree from the University of New Hampshire. Besides having more than 6,000 printed and online articles to his credit, Hickoff is an Internet blogger for Outdoor Life and serves as the turkey hunting editor at Realtree.com. He's authored many books covering topics like turkey hunting, fly fishing and even NFL football. Newspaper columnist, television contributor, photographer and seminar instructor are also on his resumé.
Hooked on hunting
Hickoff started turkey hunting with his father in the spring of 1971. Since then, he has hunted turkeys all over the country.
"Everything about wild turkeys is compelling to me — watching, listening to and calling to them are just as thrilling as killing one," he said. "I'm either hunting, scouting or writing about them most days. To me turkey hunting rules the roost. Most every other type of hunting falls short by comparison. The strategies, interactions, and the fact that you are talking turkey to fool them into range, makes turkey hunting supreme to all other pursuits."
He is fortunate to hunt roughly a half-dozen states around the country every spring.
"In the fall, my dogs and I chase autumn turkey flocks, where legal — a tradition that includes finding, flushing and trying to call the scattered birds back to the gun," Hickoff said.
His bosses boast
The compliments that come from the person that signs your paycheck are pretty important. Ultimately, it's their opinions that keep the bills paid.
"Hickoff is easy going and a lot of fun to be around," said NWTF Editorial Director Burt Carey. "He can call in wild turkeys just about as well as any competitive caller, and he's just as proficient a writer. Because he knows the outdoors so well, he can craft his stories and words to have maximum impact. Editors look for those rare individuals like Hickoff who can move readers emotionally by tapping their passions and communicating in a way that says, 'I'm one of you,' without being arrogant about it."
And if you have hunted with Hickoff you know how sly he can be.
"If there's a practical joke played in camp, look for the guy lurking at the back of the laughing crowd. That's where you'll find Hickoff, and a lot of times he's either been the instigator or at least an agitator in pulling off that practical joke," Carey said. "Check your boots. Check your toothbrush. Check your deodorant stick."
Will Brantley, editor at Realtree.com, enjoys working with Hickoff. "From an editor's standpoint, Hickoff submits his assignments on time, every time, and his copy is clean," Brantley said. "That in itself can be a blessing. But beyond that, Hickoff is a true expert. He's an obsessive turkey hunter and the ideas and stories he submits reflect that. Most of his research takes place in the woods, not on the Internet or over the phone. And that, combined with substantial writing talent, are his greatest strengths."
Despite his list of accomplishments, Hickoff is a humble guy, according to Brantley.
"His stories incorporate the advice of other expert hunters as often as his own," Brantley said. "The twist to that is his hunting experience tells him exactly who to call and the right questions to ask for any given assignment."
An NWTF affair
Given his long-time position as a full-time outdoor writer and editor whose focus is wild turkeys, his relationship with the NWTF has afforded him the chance to spread the news about the group's good work. He has participated in many fundraisers over the years, including several NWTF-sponsored celebrity hunts at places like Turkey Trot Acres in New York. He also has attended many NWTF banquets around the country and will continue to do so as long as he lives.
"For me, talking with other turkey hunters and financially contributing to the NWTF's mission is definitely a win-win situation," said Hickoff.
Gene Smith, the first editor of the NWTF's Turkey Call magazine, published one of Hickoff's lyrical pieces called "Sweet Addiction" many years ago.
"It was the first time my byline appeared in an NWTF publication, but not the last, I'm happy to say," said Hickoff. "Still, it meant a lot to me then, as it does now. In some ways it launched my career as a national wild turkey writer. Gene, if you're reading this, thanks again." — J.J. Reich