How to Cook a Wild Turkey

by Naomi K. Shapiro

The "sky's the limit" when it comes to methods of preparing wild turkey -- all of them work, and all will provide some of the finest unattainable-anywhere-else eating. Trust me on that one! Here are just some of the ways to do it:

• ROASTING
  
  This traditional whole turkey dinner is not difficult. You clean the bird, stuff it if you wish. Season it any way you like, cover it with an aluminum foil "tent," insert a meat thermometer into the heaviest portion of the breast, and put it in the oven at 325˚ F., until it's done. Some strong caveats: Wild turkey, like any poultry needs to be cooked thoroughly. Most suggest an internal meat temperature of 180˚ -- some even go to 190˚ -- or "in between." Cooking thoroughly is particularly critical because wild turkey -- is just that – "wild," and thorough cooking will kill any pathogens that may be present. A good idea is that when the temperature on your meat thermometer reaches 160˚-170˚, remove the foil "tent," and let the bird finish cooking. The skin will brown and crisp up beautifully. Don't toss those "drippings" in the bottom of the roasting pan. Drain them, and combine them with seasonings and a simple flour roux, and you'll have a fabulous smooth gravy (assuming you "stir" continuously when making the roux and combining it with the drippings) to serve along with the bird itself. One quick tip -- I usually put the turkey on a rack in the roasting pan, so that the entire bird is cooked evenly.

• BREAST ONLY
  
  Follow the same procedure as roasting the whole bird, but don't remove the foil "tent" until almost the very end of the cooking, as the breast will dry out more rapidly than a whole bird. A few minutes without the "tent" will still "brown" the breast without drying it out. We also very lightly "brush" the turkey breast with a bit of olive oil to keep things "moist" before we start roasting.
  
  
  
• TURKEY "FINGERS"
  
  Cut the turkey into strips -- breasts – thighs -- whatever. Dip them in your favorite "wash" and breading and deep fry them. You'll never be able to eat fast-food chicken "nuggets" again.
  
  
  
• GRILLING
  
  Marinate whatever part of the turkey you're going to grill -- teriyaki, Caribbean jerk, BBQ – whatever -- for 24 hours – and then grill. But grilling can fail, so make sure that, for instance, if you use "strips" -- that they're wide enough so they don't drop through the grill grates; and if you're grilling a breast, I would suggest you cut it into half-inch or so slices, because if you grill the whole breast, you're liable to overcook the outside layer(s) while the interior never gets done.

While a wild turkey breast looks like "white meat", generally, wild turkey TASTES more toward "domestic turkey dark meat" than "white." That's really a good thing. The flavor is full and magnificent without being overpowering -- and there is little, if any, "gaminess" to the flavor of wild turkey. And yes, depending on the age of the bird, and what it generally has eaten, the flavor will vary, but not greatly.

Get some great wild turkey recipes on the Foremost Hunting Site

(Phil Schweik of Hooksetters Guide Services contributed to this article).

Naomi K. Shapiro, OWAA, SPJ, can be reached at cre8vnaomi@gmail.com

An Eastern Wild Turkey Hunting Adventure

Turkey hunting is an exciting sport that requires the proper gear for the best hunting experience. Because turkeys have such excellent sight and hearing, great visual acuity, the ability to see a large range, and the ability to see in color, choosing proper clothing is crucial to prevent being seen or heard by your target.



Clothing Tips 

There’s a lot of gear that is essential for turkey hunting, and all of it should be camouflaged. When just one article of clothing is not camouflaged, it can mean the difference between success and failure. Ideally your boots, cap, vest, pants, bags, gun, gloves, facemask, and gun should all be camouflaged. You might be able to get by without having camouflaged boots as long as they are a similar color to the forest floor.

Your camouflage should be similar to the background of the forest. In the early spring season, the forest is still more brown and grey and your camouflage should be more similar to those colors, whereas later in the season camouflage should have shades of green mixed as the trees and plants begin to regrow.

Safety is of the utmost concern for any hunter. Turkey hunters should never wear any items that are blue, black, white, or red, as these colors may be mistaken for a turkey by another hunter. If your socks or other parts of your clothing have these colors, be sure to cover them up.

Head 

Turkeys have such excellent vision that they can even spot the white of your eyes and recognize your face as being a threat. Therefore it is crucial to have some kind of face or head covering that is camouflaged. Although a full facemask is probably the best option, you might also try camouflage face paint. If the facemask does not cover your hair, then you can use a camouflaged cap of any kind to cover your hair.

Hands 

You will likely need insulated gloves during the fall season and lighter gloves in the spring. A couple of good pairs of camouflaged gloves are probably the least expensive item out of all the hunting clothing you’ll need. And when the weather is cold, a good pair of insulated gloves can help keep your fingers warm and nimble for pulling the trigger fast.

Pants 

Again, in the spring if the weather is warmer in your area, you will probably be more comfortable with non-insulated camouflaged hunting pants. In the fall, insulated hunting pants will conserve heat and help you stay outdoors much longer. The lighter pants will help you maneuver around in the warmer weather. Waterproofed pants are also helpful in case it rains or if there is moisture on the ground.

Coats 

Depending on the weather, you will want to wear a light camouflaged coat or an insulated coat. You will probably want to wear 2 or 3 layers at the very least in cold weather. If you carry any accessories on your coat, be sure that they are either camouflaged or covered. Hunting vests are helpful additions to your coat due to the extra storage space for miscellaneous items like your turkey calls, portable food, knives and other equipment. Again, waterproofed coats and body layers are very helpful in the case of rain.

Boots 

Boots may not need to be camouflaged if they are a similar color to the ground you are hunting on, however camouflaged boots are recommended. The best type of boots really depends on the type of terrain in your area. Heavy duty boots with good ankle support and cushioning may be recommended for rough terrain. Softer terrain may be suitable for lighter boots with cushioning.

Insulation is better when the weather is cold, and light boots with no insulation and good air circulation are better for hot weather. Waterproofing is good for all types of weather as there is very likely will be water or moisture on the ground in many areas you hunt in, and nothing is worse than hunting in wet socks. Having an extra pair or two of socks is always good idea if your socks do get wet.

Summary 

So, your choice of the best turkey hunting clothing comes down to your local terrain, the season you’re hunting in, and the expected weather. Camouflage is extra important for turkey hunting with the wild turkey’s excellent vision and quick reflexes, and it should be on every visible item you wear. Most importantly, be sure to always follow all safety precautions to have a safe and fun turkey hunting experience.

Learn More About Turkey Hunting Clothing and Gear

We had a interesting article come in on Turkey Hunting Rifles. To be honest I didn't know any states allowed this but I guess a few do. I would think a rifle would just destroy the meat but I'm know expert. Do you know of someone that turkey hunts with a rifle or is it legal in your state? I would like to find out more about this. The article I'm linking to here really is all about choosing the right shotgun for turkeys but the first part of the article really got me thinking about rifles.

As winter turns into spring many deer hunters turn their attention to shed hunting. Shed hunting is a great opportunity to learn more about your hunting area and the deer that roam it. In addition it's great exercise. Check out the latest article from pro staff member Chris Larsen as he discusses the do's and how to's of scouting for deer head gear.

Shed Hunting For A Nice Rack

by Naomi K. Shapiro

Discussing trapping is a very complex subject. We'll deal with a few basics, and then move on to other articles with more detail in the future.

Trapping can be a lot of fun, and also profitable. However, it is not for your every day outdoor sports enthusiast. "It's hard work, beyond belief, and the hours are long," says Phil Schweik of Hooksetters Guide Services. "Don't quit your day job," because even if you make money -- and you can -- it's not going to readily put you into that dually' with the big diesel you've been longing for." But even if you don't want to trap, it's the experience of a lifetime to walk a trap line with a licensed trapper on some cold, winter's day. You feel totally at one with nature and what it provides. And trappers do a great public service by maintaining viable wildlife populations.

Trapping fur-bearing animals requires multiple approaches. There are the water-based animals such as muskrat, mink, otter, and beaver, and the land-based animals such as raccoons, foxes, and coyotes.

There are a multitude of different types of traps: 

• The leg-hold traps come in single and double sets, where the jaws clamp onto the animal when it steps on a pan in the center of the trap. 
• The coil-springs trap has a set of coil springs which operate the same general way as a leg-hold trap, and slams the trap shut onto the animal. 
• The conibear or "killer trap" is very difficult to describe. It consists of two intersecting squares of one-eighth inch steel rod. The two parts of the trap intersect at their outside edges, with springs on both edges which trigger a mechanism that opens the trap. The trap looks like an "X" from the side. The animal walks through the trap, which clamps down on its neck. This is a trap that MUST BE AVOIDED by an even moderately capable trapper. Only the most experienced trappers use these traps, which, for instance, can be set up on the bottom of a beaver pond. The conibear comes in three sizes, the smallest of which will break your finger, and the largest, your arm, or even being capable of killing you. Hence the nickname "killer trap." Once anyone is "caught" in this trap, it is near impossible to extricate yourself. Conibear traps, for instance, are used for beavers which can weigh over 70 pounds, so the traps must be strong. One can ask any "old timer trapper," and you can be sure they'll have a couple of horror stories about the "killer trap." No joking matter. We're discussing it just to give you some idea of the types of traps used -- not that you should ever use one. 

Trappers have any different number of places and "sets" that they'll use, geared to the specific target animal. It's never "one size fits all" when it comes to trapping. Trappers will set up "runway sets" which are natural "paths" that the animal takes on its daily meanderings; or "dirthole sets", and "pocket sets." Then there's what's called a "box set" or "cubby set" with baits.

Trapping truly does require patience and a willingness to learn how to use each specific trap, where and how to set them up, all depending on the particular critter.

There are usually two things that every trapper uses -- and these are "musts." Without them, there'll never be any success. Water trappers need a very good set of hip boots or waders. All trappers must use long rubber gloves – not only to keep their hands warm, but to keep the traps scent free which is critical. If a fur-bearing animal picks up human scent on the trap, no matter how well it is set, they'll stay far away from the trap.

(Thanks to licensed trapper, Phil Schweik, of Hooksetters Guide Services who contributed to this article).

Naomi K. Shapiro, OWAA, SPJ, can be reached at cre8vnaomi@gmail.com

by Naomi K. Shapiro



With ever-growing coyote populations, hunting them is becoming a very popular sport. We'll discuss some "basics," but make sure you check all regulations in your area (each state and area have different regs) so that you stay within the law when hunting these "wily varmints".

Winter with snow cover is a terrific time of year to hunt coyotes. Hunters dress in snow camo to blend in perfectly with the winter season background.

There are a couple of different hunting methods:

Sit and stalk

Chris Larsen discusses tactics for breaking up a hole in the ice for late season ducks to fly into.  Chris talks about the benefits of hunting the late season for waterfowl and details how to open up a nice hole in the ice to attract ducks.

Ducks really like to see moving water, especially when everything else is froze up

Read Hard Water Duck Hunting

by Naomi K. Shapiro - Foremost Hunting Pro Staff Member

So you think, that with a shotgun that has lots of pellets and "sprays" a pattern, you can't miss a turkey? Lots of gobbler hunters including the best ones miss... that is, until they learn some not-rocket-science basics.

First, it's not your gun's fault if you miss! Most shotguns, from Benellis to Remingtons and everything in between are "good." They're manufactured well, and they do what they're supposed to do, if the hunter knows what he or she is doing. But they are all different. It's important to know that every single "pattern" that's shot is also different. There is no "one size fits all." Every gun, every shell, every "load," every choke -- every "everything" is variable. What the savvy turkey hunter does, is to take the time to find the right gun, right shell, right choke for what you're shooting at, with the pattern you're looking for, and the range you're shooting. Turkeys are different than grouse, ducks, geese, skeet, or trap.

You want to find that small "window" that fits what you're doing exactly, and it's not hard to do.

As for gun size lots of turkey hunters use the classic 12 gauge, but for real stopping power (and it does kick like all get-out), use a 10 gauge. What you're looking for is how the shot flies out of the gun. Practice is the secret to success.

Take your shotgun and buy a whole "set" of different shell sizes and types (length, pellet grain size, powder, magnum and regular load). Yes, it'll cost you some money, but it will help you get that bird you're after. Then find a choke (optimum would be able to "test" a number of different chokes, but that is not always an available option) that will provide you the tight pattern you need to make sure that once the turkey is hit, it'll go down instantly. You're not looking for a wide pattern shot as you may do for ducks, or even wider pattern for sport shooting. Your local gun shop will be able to help you in this regard, and you don't have to buy a new shotgun to be successful. And, of course, try to find friends or other turkey hunters who have the same gun you have, and check out what they use.

Information from any good source is always useful, and may at least allow you to hone in and target some "near-specifics", which will save you time and money.

OK you've got boxes of different shells, you've got a choke or chokes that will give you a tight pattern (try to determine the range you want so that the choke will give you the exact pattern you need at that range). Set up a stationary target with a bull's-eye at the range you're going to shoot.

Then test each different shell with the particular choke, and see if you bull's-eye the target in a tight pattern. You'll be surprised at how many supposedly-perfect shell and choke combos won't give you what you want unless they're mated and adapted to the particular make of gun. We've seen any number of very good hunters miss close shots because their choke and/or shell were not in sync with each other and with the gun they're shooting a hundred different things.

And don't for one moment think that because you're using a custom-made Benelli, or a huge magnum shell that it will automatically solve any problems. It won't. Do your homework and take the time to fine-tune YOUR PARTICULAR shotgun to a perfect symmetry with the choke and shell you're using. By doing this, you'll end up enjoying some delicious eating (no one that I know of who has eaten a wild turkey breast can ever be satisfied with a domestic bird again. Twenty-five pound gobbler, anyone?

(Phil Schweik of Hooksetters Guide Services contributed to this article).

Related Articles On Shotgun Patterning:

Shotgun Patterning For Turkey Hunting By Chris Larsen

Every year I hear of hunters placing their decoys out of shooting range and then sitting helplessly as turkeys interact with their decoys just out of gun range. DON'T DO THAT! Combo decoy sets (A feeding hen and a gobbler) can nbe quite effective. Learn more about Turkey Decoy Placement

Other Turkey Decoy Links:

If your in the market for some great turkey decoys check out our friends at Cherokee Sports

1. Do some scouting-  Weather conditions, food sources, access to water etc. change turkey patterns from year to year.  Talk to farmers and get your feet in the woods before turkey season.
2. Turkey's follow farmers- look for plowed fields and newly planted crops- chances are turkey will be close by.
3. Put a turkey to bed.  Go out the night before and figure out where they are roosting without spooking them off the roost.
4. Set up in their bedroom before the sun comes up.  Get as close to the roosted birds you spotted the night before with out spooking them.  Call them in before they are henned up.

This is just the bulleted list.  To learn more visit:  Spring Turkey Hunting Tips @ the ForemostHunting.com Website.

From choosing the proper location for your new turkey food plot to the ethics of food plots we have some great new articles on food plots at our site.

Did you know that:

Turkeys Prefer small clearings in wooded areas?

Turkeys Like berry plants?

Turkeys take baths?

Turkeys prefer thin vegitation?

Read About Food Plots For Turkeys

A few weeks before Christmas I got a interesting call. Our receptionist says "Jon, Jay Leno is on the phone" Yah right I thought but sure enough it was. It turns out that Mr Leno had seen the video on www.taxidermytube.com about how to make your own taxidermy deer rump bottle opener and he loved it. He wanted to use it for his show "Last Minute Christmas Gift Ideas". I was a bit skeptical but we agreed to ship a finished deer rump opener to Hollywood and sure enough the day before Christmas our product was on national TV. I never knew so many folks would be interested in them. There is currently a 6 week wait for one but if you would like a nice and unusual taxidermy piece for your den or living room check out the site. Here is the video that started it all:

Deer Rump Bottle Opener Video from Jon Ballard on Vimeo.

Did you know that all guns are not created equal?  Most shotguns have different patterns based on the shell brand, load size and choke.  Before you head into the woods this season take some advice from Chris Larsen and consider patterning your turkey gun.   It can make the difference between success and failure.  I like to use those big cardboard boxes my kids get for Christmas.  By now they are done playing in them and the big ones are a excellent size for shotgun patterning.  Try different loads, chokes and distances.  I cover the box with paper bags each time so I can compare.

With turkey season right around the corner it gets me thinking about picking up a new turkey gun.  Sure, the old upland gun I have been using is great but there are some dandy new guns on the market that I would love to add to my collection.  I asked two different turkey hunting experts to tell me their ideas on what's important when choosing a gun and here are the articles I got back:

Choosing A Turkey Gun By Chris Larsen

And

Turkey Gun Science By Uncle John

Both these guys had some excellent ideas in regards to what to look for.  Well worth the read.

Late Season Scouting For Deer

This time of year most hunters are content to sit home on the couch and watch some football.  Not me. 
Now is one of the best times to get out in the woods and do some post season scouting.

When it comes to deer hunting, people don't think about scouting after deer season, but they should!  Late season scouting can make a big difference between success and failure next season. 

With snow on the ground it's easy to see where the deer have been moving and bedding and there is no need to worry about spooking deer since the hunting season is 7 months away. 



It is a lot easier to see if rub lines are from this year as well as opposed to looking at old rub lines in the fall before they really start rutting.  Not to mention sheds.  What better way to tell if you have a big buck in your hunting grounds then find some sheds.

For more info on Post Season Deer Scouting Check Out Foremost Hunting

Now that you have deer in the freezer there are a lot of options to make some tasty Venison Dishes.  Like beef ther are many different cuts that come from a deer.  Below are some great Venison Recipies from my Friend Greg Kuper.  You can find even more VENISON RECIPES at our website.

VENISON WELLINGTON (MAKES 8 SERVINGS)

Ingredients:
-1 2 to 2 ¼ pound venison tenderloin
-1 ½ cups of all-purpose flour
-1/8 teaspoon salt
-1/2 cup shortening
-1 beaten egg yolk
-3 tablespoons cold water
-1/2 cup of deli or canned liver pate’
-1 beaten egg white
-* Bordelaise sauce *Fresh Parsley sprigs

Directions:
If roast is long and thin, fold narrow ends under and tie. If roast is flat and wide, tie crosswise in 2 or 3 places to form a rounder roast. Place meat on rack in shallow roasting pan. Roast in a 425 degree oven for 30 minutes for 2 pound meat and 35 minutes for 2 ¼ pound of meat. Remove from pan (Remove strings if tied). Refrigerate about 10 minutes to cool surface. Meanwhile, for pastry, in a medium mixing bowl stir together flour and salt. Using a pastry blender, cut in shortening till pieces are the size of small peas. Combine egg yolk and water. Add to flour mixture, tossing with a fork till all is moistened. Add small amount of water if needed. Form dough into a ball. On a lightly floured surface, roll dough into a 14X12 inch rectangle. Spread with pate’ to within 1 ½ inches of edges. Center meat atop pastry. Fold long sides of pastry around meat, overlapping in center. Brush edges with beaten egg white and seal. Place seam side down in a greased shallow baking pan. Reroll trimmings to make cutouts on pastry. Brush pastry with remaining egg white. If desired, insert meat thermometer. Bake in 425 degree oven for about 25 minutes or till pastry is golden brown and thermometer registers 140 degrees. Let stand for 15 minutes and carve (Meat temp will rise 5 degrees while standing). Serve with Bordelaise sauce, garnish with parsley sprigs.
*Bordelaise sauce*
-1 ½ cups of water
-3/4 cup of red wine
-2 tablespoons of finely chopped shallot or onion
-1 teaspoon of instant beef bouillon granules
-1/2 teaspoon dried thyme, crushed
-1 bay leaf
-3 tablespoons butter or margarine, softened
-2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
-1 Tablespoon snipped fresh parsley

Directions:
In a medium saucepan combine water, red wine, shallot or onion, bouillon granules, thyme, and bay leaf. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer, uncovered, for 15-20 minutes (You should have about 1 1/3 cups). Remove bay leaf. Stir together butter or margarine and flour. Add to wine mixture. Cook and stir till thickened and bubbly. Cook and stir for 1 minute more. Stir in parsley.

VENISON GUACAMOLE BURGERS (MAKES 4 SERVINGS)

Ingredients:
-8 Bacon Strips
- ½ cup chopped onion
-1 can (4 ounces) chopped green chilies
-1 pound of ground Venison
-4 slices Monterey Jack Cheese
-4 sandwich buns, split and toasted
-1/4 cup of guacamole


Directions:
In a large skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp. Remove to paper towels and drain. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine onion and green chilies; set aside. Shape ground venison into eight patties. Top half of the patties with onion mixture. Cover with remaining patties and firmly press edges to seal. Grill, covered, over medium heat for 5-7 minutes on each side or until done. Top each with bacon and cheese. Grill one minute longer until cheese is melted. Serve on buns with guacamole.
DEER SAUSAGE ROLL-UPS (MAKES 3 ½ dozen)

Ingredients:
-1 carton (8 ounces) whipped cream cheese
-1/4 pound of Deer Sausage (The Salami Sausage) finely chopped
-2 tablespoons of dill pickle relish
-4 flour tortillas (10 inches), room temperature

Directions:
In a small bowl, combine the cream cheese, deer sausage and pickle relish. Spread over tortillas. Roll up tightly; wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 15 minutes. Unwrap and cut each tortilla into 1 inch slices.

You don't have spend a lot of money planting a successful food plot. Do your homework and be proactive. If you follow through, chances are you may very well be exhibiting a big rack over the fireplace next season.

ATV attachments like this disc can make planting a food plot much easier.  Many rental lots are starting to rent out food plot attachments for ATV's.  Especially in rural areas.

A deer rarely exceeds its average life expectancy of five years of age in the wild. They are capable of living over ten years but that does not happen very often. The main reasons are natural causes such as being hunted by predators such as humans, wolves, bear and big cats. Other causes are accidents (When a deer gets hit by a car) and starvation. As a deer gets older, it is commonly accepted that they wear their teeth down. After ten years, if they make it that long, their teeth are so worn down that they will usually starve to death.

Learn More About Aging Whitetail Deer

With dear season over in many parts of the country Foremost Hunting Pro Staff Member Chris Larsen suggests you take some note about your hunt.  Notes should include weather conditions, number of deer spotted, moon phases and more. Over time this journal will become a valuable instruction manual for future hunts.

If you’re interested in crossbow hunting check out the new Horizontal Bow Hunting Website (Horizontal Bow Hunter is the official magazine of the American Crossbow Federation).  The site is packed with great articles for the crossbow enthusiast as well as information to help education the general public about crossbows and their usefulness.  Hats off to Dan and his crew for all their hard work on the site.

The eager toms of spring no longer come running upon hearing the purr of a hen… or hen call. They are now suspicious. However, most states allow harvesting either sex in the fall thus enhancing a hunter’s opportunity to come home with a bird.

You might not have known it, and few care, but Christmas Day is my birthday. So for obvious reasons I try to do something special each year to commemorate another yearly escape from the gallows. First of all the best Christmas present I get every year is the fact that more and more outdoorsmen are enjoying the articles of “Uncle John’s Outdoors.” Foremost Hunting.com is the first place where I can actually show all the photos, and more or less tell the stories just like they happen. There is no waiting for an article for the reader, the news happens and then gets printed within hours sometimes. You get to see everything and interact at Foremost Hunting

For 2009 we have had many accomplishments for the first year. Foremost Hunting established itself as one of the national supporters for crossbow hunting, subsequently becoming a leader in the Crossbow World of media coverage, setting a fine example for all archery hunting. With the legalization of the crossbow in many states, a major milestone was the article that insisted that Louisiana legalize the crossbow for turkey hunting. When this was accomplished it showed the power of the outdoor media for a righteous cause.

Foremost Hunting.com sponsored and covered the first State Crossbow 3-D Tournament ever held by the American Crossbow Federation which was held at Fort Polk Louisiana. Foremost Hunting Covered the 2009 Top Gun Challenge (World Squirrel Rifle Championship) as well as the largest Turkey Shoots held in the State of Louisiana. Foremost Hunting gave us insight into The world of handicapped hunting and squared us away in safety matters, while giving us a technical outlook on new equipment with first hand information.

We have learned about key leaders in the hunting community while getting a good look at the next generation of kids that we all like the brag on, well Foremost Hunting is the place to do it. Hey we even have our own Jr. Pro Staff, boys and girls that write their own articles and test their own equipment, all you have to do is browse a little of Foremost Hunting.com and see for yourself. If you have ever wanted to know where all the good outdoor writers are, well we are making new ones right here at Foremost Hunting.

2009 brought a lot of change in our lives, for me personally I lost three good friends all within a 3 week period. Donny Racing an old friend and fishing buddy who would find me stuck in the woods and haul me out no matter what the conditions. He came from a family of hunters and race car drivers that is famous in Western Louisiana. Jim Fetterkile, was the manager and promoter of MWR at Ft Polk Louisiana. He was instrumental in seeing through all the shooting activities and spearheaded the improvements which established the Fort Polk Shooting Complex.

Louis Ellison was my own personal mentor since I was 18 years old. He taught me the martial arts and I went on to become a world champion and grand master instructor. He taught me advanced shooting skills that brought about the Top Gun Challenge rifle match and just about everything else I know about hunting and fishing making him the true Old Man in the saga of “Pass it on.”

My own students are coming along nicely. Kade Jones who is now Kade Parker graduated with honors this year and has decided to become a Louisiana State Policeman. Maurice Masterson “flyswatter junior” the last student of Lou Ellison, is probably the youngest practicing gun smith anywhere. He is gearing up for the Marine Corps and says he will be the best Scout Sniper in the world. All I can say to that is, he has all the right stuff.

Kaleb Dickerson is the newest of the sharpshooter clan of Top Team Gun, looks like this one wants to go to West Point and be an Army Officer just like Dad, Capt Harvey Dickerson. Do you see the trend here?

One of my finest finished products is April Morris, who made a Black Belt with me several years ago. She went on under adverse conditions in the cosmetic world to invent a lip gloss that aids women’s weight loss. I think she is a millionaire now, ladies check out Express Effects Cosmetics.

Promoting the concept of excellence in any endeavor is the key to raising a young person, correct me if I’m wrong, but a few bull’s-eyes and karate chops seem to be a good starting point. Then they take the self discipline and go their own way.

So Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to Bobby Hill and his turkey shooting family, Hendricks and Russo and the American Crossbow Federation, 4 Winds Tribe Cherokee Confederation, Chief Jackie Womack, Mona Hayden for Louisiana Road Trips Magazine, The Mobius Company with Lt General Mohamed Al Samara. Jim Callaway and Dave Miller and all the Range Staff at Fort Polk Shooting Complex, The EMT Hunting Cub members, Star Gun and Archery of Leesville, Days Inn staff at Leesville, and to the Foremost Media group that makes all the good hunting information possible.

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year...and Pass it on