The Turkey Hunter Podcast with Andy Gagliano & Cameron Weddington | Turkey Hunting Tips, Strategies, and Stories

Episode 546: Progress Check-In: The Multi-State Wild Turkey Research Project & Predator Index Study

Guest: Dr. Craig Harper (University of Tennessee at Knoxville)

Episode Overview

In this episode, Cameron and Andy check in on a groundbreaking multi-state wild turkey ecology study spanning 11 properties across nine states. Joining the show is Dr. Craig Harper from UT Extension, who breaks down early pre-treatment findings, turkey demographic metrics, and practical habitat management practices landowners can execute right now.

The hosts also announce that all proceeds from the annual South Texas Rio Grande Wild Turkey Hunt Raffle will directly fund this critical research project to support field equipment, camera grids, and graduate student research.

Key Takeaways & Research Findings

1. Multi-State Wild Turkey & Predator Index Study

• Scope: Research properties cover 11 sites across 9 states—including Tennessee, Florida, Oklahoma, Mississippi, Alabama, South Carolina, Arkansas, and Pennsylvania.

• Methodology: Researchers placed automated recording units (ARUs) and camera grids at a density of roughly 1 camera per 20 acres alongside 160 artificial nests per property using unwashed brown chicken eggs to establish a pre-treatment baseline.

• Goal: Establish a standardized Predator Index so landowners can use trail camera data to evaluate whether low productivity is caused by excessive predator density or poor habitat.

• Artificial Nest Depredation: Depredation rates averaged 20% during the 12-day egg-laying stage, driven by a global predator community including raccoons, opossums, skunks, coyotes, bobcats, and crows.

2. Wild Turkey Demographics & Season Delay Study

• Season Delay Impact: Post-treatment data showed that implementing a 14-day spring season delay and bag limit reduction had no impact on turkey productivity or reproductive success.

• Survival Rates: Adult hen survival averages ~50% annually, poult survival averages 20% or less, and nest success averages 25%–30%. Overall recruitment yields only about 5% of eggs reaching adulthood.

• Jake Management: Removing juvenile males (Jakes) from regular spring bag limits preserves a ~73% annual survival rate into their 2-year-old season, significantly increasing gobbling activity—the single highest metric for hunter satisfaction.

3. Practical Land & Habitat Management

• Eliminate Woody Thickets: Remove dense, thicket-like woody cover (both native saplings and non-natives like privet or honeysuckle) to improve turkey line-of-sight and reduce predator concealment.

• Canopy & Sunlight Balance: Maintain 30%–50% sunlight in woodlands to promote understory herbaceous growth while keeping overall plant height low enough for hen visibility.

• Field Edge Strategy: Disperse nesting cover in field interiors and keep the outer 30–60 feet disced or mowed low. This keeps hens from nesting along predator-traveled edges while providing ideal brooding cover right next to woodland or nesting shelter.

• Cool-Season Grass Eradication: To eliminate fescue or orchard grass, mow fields multiple times through early fall and spray with herbicide in mid-November while cool-season grasses are actively growing.

Support Turkey Research: South Texas Rio Grande Hunt Raffle

All proceeds from this year's raffle directly support Dr. Harper’s multi-state study, covering camera maintenance, field travel, student research stipends, and equipment.

• The Prize: 4-day, 3-night Rio Grande Wild Turkey Hunt for 2 winners (each allowed up to 2 adult gobblers) in South Texas at El Pintor Ranch.
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• Dates: February 24–27, 2027.
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• Inclusions: Guided hunting, lodging, and meals included.
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** Enter the 2027 Texas Wild Turkey Raffle Here

Episode Timestamps

• 00:00:00 – Intro & Fall Food Plot Planting (Clover & SEC Blends)
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• 00:06:30 – Announcement: Raffle Proceeds Donated to Turkey Research
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• 00:12:17 – Tennessee Season Delay Study Results & Productivity Metrics
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• 00:15:46 – Camera Trapping Data & Global Predator Community Impact
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• 00:20:19 – Multi-State Research Study Setup & Artificial Nests
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• 00:31:57 – Breakdown of Hen, Poult, and Nest Survival Metrics
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• 00:39:42 – Why Protecting Jakes Improves Gobbling & Hunter Satisfaction
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• 00:45:55 – 4 Core Habitat Management Rules for Wild Turkeys
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• 00:54:34 – Strategic Field Edge Mowing & Brooding Cover Layout
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• 00:59:33 – Fall Fescue Eradication & Late-Season Burning Tips
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• 01:00:53 – Outro & How to Buy Raffle Tickets

Team Turkey Hunting Seminar from Unicoi with Kerry Terrell and Mark Prudhomme

This week, Cameron and Andy are sharing the Team Turkey Hunting Seminar put on by Kerry Terrell and Mark Prudhomme from the 2026 Unicoi Custom Callmakers Show held in February.

Kerry Terrell and Mark Prudhomme have won the Team Division at the Grand National Calling Championship contest in Nashville TN 6 times. They share with us some tactics and strategies for calling turkeys when hunting with multiple hunters in the spring turkey woods.

This is a great seminar. Listen in!

Purchase some raffle tickets to hunt in south Texas in February 2027 here.

Buy some merch and great sounding The Turkey Hunter diaphragm turkey calls from our Shopify store by clicking here: https://theturkeyhunterpodcast.myshopify.com/

Join our Patreon group and get additional content, discounts on merch, and other great perks by clicking here: https://www.patreon.com/TheTurkeyHunterPodcast80

Finesse Turkey Hunting with Bob Byrne

Author and turkey hunter, Bob Byrne, joins Cameron and Andy on this week's show to talk about his book, Finesse Turkey Hunting, and some of the strategies discussed in the book.

Finesse turkey hunting techniques

Hunting success relies on stationary patience, subtle calling, and strategic concealment using custom blinds. These methods effectively manage wary birds found on heavily pressured public land.

Property and habitat management

Managing land for turkey populations involves planting clover and carefully timing herbicide applications. Wildlife demonstrate high sensitivity to environmental changes, requiring cautious and thoughtful landscape stewardship.

Bob shares some great tips and strategies in this book that turkey hunters of any age and turkey hunting style can use. Listen in!

Purchase a copy of Bob's book here.

Purchase some raffle tickets to hunt in south Texas in February 2027 here.

Buy some merch and great sounding The Turkey Hunter diaphragm turkey calls from our Shopify store by clicking here: https://theturkeyhunterpodcast.myshopify.com/

Join our Patreon group and get additional content, discounts on merch, and other great perks by clicking here: https://www.patreon.com/TheTurkeyHunterPodcast80

Summertime Turkey Soup

This week, Cameron and Andy share a heaping helping of some piping hot turkey soup for you. Basically, we share some turkey and turkey hunting news that you may not have heard or seen.

In this episode, we talk harvest numbers from across the country, poult surveys being conducted by numerous states (even Alabama is doing a poult survey now), proposed season changes in the works for next season, and a story on poaching.

Also, Cameron and Andy announced the 2027 Rio Grande Turkey Hunt Raffle is now open. Buy your tickets by clicking here.

These are always fun episodes, so listen in!

Buy some merch and great sounding The Turkey Hunter diaphragm turkey calls from our Shopify store by clicking here: https://theturkeyhunterpodcast.myshopify.com/

Join our Patreon group and get additional content, discounts on merch, and other great perks by clicking here: https://www.patreon.com/TheTurkeyHunterPodcast80

2026 End of Season Recap Episode

This week, Cameron and Andy recap their 2026 turkey season.

Andy discusses the frustrating last 4 weeks of his Alabama season and how he was fortunate enough to have so many opportunities to hunt turkeys and to be in the woods enjoying spring mornings.

Cameron discusses a few of his out of state trips, including a great trip with his family in the late season.

Additionally, the turkey hunting legend Hank Brookside joins Cameron and Andy to briefly recap his turkey hunting season as well as an upcoming trip.

Listen in!

Buy some merch and great sounding The Turkey Hunter diaphragm turkey calls from our Shopify store by clicking here: https://theturkeyhunterpodcast.myshopify.com/

Join our Patreon group and get additional content, discounts on merch, and other great perks by clicking here: https://www.patreon.com/TheTurkeyHunterPodcast80

Turkey Call Making with Ricky Padgett

In this episode, hosts Andy Gagliano and Cameron Weddington interview Ricky Padgett of Spring Allure Custom Calls to discuss the art and strategy of turkey hunting. The conversation opens with a deep dive into the recent resurgence of trumpet calls, a tool once dismissed as a novelty but now celebrated for its unique, realistic tone. Padgett emphasizes that while highly effective, the trumpet is a dynamic wind instrument that requires rigorous daily practice and air control to master. The veteran hunter shares anecdotal proof of its efficacy, noting how it can turn an uninterested bird around when standard calls fail, though he warns that it is far from a "magic bullet."

The dialogue then shifts toward broader conservation efforts and the shifting regulatory landscape in South Carolina. The group discusses the state's delayed season opener—a proactive measure aimed at improving low nesting success and poult production by reducing early-season hunter interference. Padgett explains that laws alone aren't enough, highlighting predator management and habitat upkeep (such as prescribed burning) as critical components of land management. He shares that comprehensive trapping targeting bobcats—which he considers the apex turkey predator—and coyotes has directly led to a noticeable increase in gobbling birds on his managed properties.

Concluding the interview, Padgett digs into the psychology of the hunt and the common pitfalls rookies face. He stresses that a lack of patience is the ultimate mistake, explaining that turkey hunting is a "mind game" where hunters must resist the urge to move and instead allow birds to break their natural morning routines. To illustrate, Padgett recounts a grueling 13-day pursuit of a stubborn, hen-nested turkey that he finally harvested by carefully slipping into the bird's "bubble" off the roost. The episode wraps up with a lighthearted rapid-fire Q&A segment and information on how listeners can join the waiting list for Padgett's sought-after custom trumpet calls just ahead of the upcoming spring season.

You can reach Ricky Padgett with Spring Allure Custom Calls at 803-682-3644. Contact him today to get on his waiting list for an amazing trumpet call.

Buy some merch and great sounding The Turkey Hunter diaphragm turkey calls from our Shopify store by clicking here: https://theturkeyhunterpodcast.myshopify.com/

Join our Patreon group and get additional content, discounts on merch, and other great perks by clicking here: https://www.patreon.com/TheTurkeyHunterPodcast80

Annual Airing of Grievances with Kenny Mount Part 2

The annual airing of grievances with Kenny Mount continues in this week's episode.

Kenny never fails to entertain with his deep thoughts and excellent questions. Kenny, Cameron and Andy discuss the problem with a need to publicly show the world that you are good hunter by posting photos of your harvest on social media to garner likes and "attaboys".

There is also discussion of the mental fortitude needed in the sport of hunting, using methods to kill turkeys at exorbitant distances instead of calling that turkey into close range, and how close encounters with wild turkeys can be the ultimate adrenaline rush.

This is another episode that you will not want to miss. Listen in!

Buy some merch and great sounding The Turkey Hunter diaphragm turkey calls from our Shopify store by clicking here: https://theturkeyhunterpodcast.myshopify.com/

Join our Patreon group and get additional content, discounts on merch, and other great perks by clicking here: https://www.patreon.com/TheTurkeyHunterPodcast80

Annual Airing of Grievances with Kenny Mount - Part 1

This week, Kenny Mount joins Cameron and Andy on the show for his annual airing of grievances.

In part 1 of the interview, the guys talk about a wide range of topics ranging from work getting in the way of turkey hunting, how technology is a mixed blessing when it comes to hunting and work, reduction of hunting opportunities in Florida and other states, the many states who have implemented draw system hunts, the rising costs of hunting licenses across the country, how YouTube has created better turkey hunters by shortening the learning curve, and how paper maps have gone by the wayside with the widespread use of technology like OnX.

Lots of laughs and thoughts to ponder are shared in this week's episode. Listen in!

Buy some merch and great sounding The Turkey Hunter diaphragm turkey calls from our Shopify store by clicking here: https://theturkeyhunterpodcast.myshopify.com/

Join our Patreon group and get additional content, discounts on merch, and other great perks by clicking here: https://www.patreon.com/TheTurkeyHunterPodcast80

Turkey Call Making and Turkey Talk with Lonzo Trice

This week, Lonzo Trice with Lonzo's Custom Calls joins Cameron and Andy on the show to share some of his knowledge with us.

Turkey hunting discussion featuring call maker Lonzo Trice covered unpredictable success, call making origins, and hunting pressures and regulations.

Hunting Success and Introductions

The guys discussed the unpredictable nature of turkey hunting, noting that success can stem from luck rather than perfect execution. Lonzo Trice, founder of Lonzo's Custom Calls, was introduced as an expert turkey hunter from Southwest Georgia who has hunted in multiple states.

Call Making Origins and Tuning

Lonzo Trice is a self-taught call maker, and has been making calls since 2004. Lonzo detailed the challenges of early call development, admitting that his early calls did not sound great and that his skills have come a long way since. Tuning a pot call requires intricate adjustments to the bottom, thickness, and pedestal to achieve the desired sound, with different woods producing drastically different sounds.

Hunting Pressure and Regulations

The discussion covered increased hunting pressure since COVID and the need to limit sharing turkey location information among hunters. Due to this increased pressure from increased hunter numbers, states are limiting opportunities to turkey hunt, and those additional restrictions are a double edged sword.

There is a lot covered in this episode, and we think you will enjoy it. Listen in!

Contact Lonzo Trice with Lonzo's Custom Calls by visiting his website at https://lonzocustomcalls.com/ by phone at 229-317-0045 or by email at lntrice@yahoo.com.

Buy some merch and great sounding The Turkey Hunter diaphragm turkey calls from our Shopify store by clicking here: https://theturkeyhunterpodcast.myshopify.com/

Join our Patreon group and get additional content, discounts on merch, and other great perks by clicking here: https://www.patreon.com/TheTurkeyHunterPodcast80

Turkey Talk with Darrin Dawkins

This week, Darrin Dawkins joins Cameron and Andy again on the show, and he does not hold back with sharing his wisdom of the turkey woods.

Darrin first shares with us how to best care for our calls so that they will last us a lifetime. He also shares several turkey hunting stories and several tips as well.

If you want to purchase a call from Darrin, call him at (803) 366-3305 or visit his website at www.darrindawkinsturkeycalls.com.

This is another great episode that you will not want to miss. Listen in!

Buy some merch and great sounding The Turkey Hunter diaphragm turkey calls from our Shopify store by clicking here: https://theturkeyhunterpodcast.myshopify.com/

Join our Patreon group and get additional content, discounts on merch, and other great perks by clicking here: https://www.patreon.com/TheTurkeyHunterPodcast80

Single Year US Super Slam with Hank Brookside

This week, Cameron and Andy are joined by Hank Brookside, who is not only the youngest person to ever complete a US Super Slam of turkey hunting but also the only person to have ever completed the US Super Slam in less than 12 months.

This journey all took place from January of 2025 through December of 2025. Hank shares the story of how he completed the Slam in under 12 months, as well as some stories of his different hunts around the country. As you can probably imagine there are a few wild ones that he takes the time to share with us.

Hank also shares his desire to finish his second US Super Slam entirely in the spring of 2027. He is still in the process of planning that season out, while he is riding the high of recently completing a 12 months US Super Slam.

This is an episode filled with great turkey hunting stories from what would be, but is not likely to be for Hank, a once in a lifetime experience.

Listen in!

Buy some merch and great sounding The Turkey Hunter diaphragm turkey calls from our Shopify store by clicking here: https://theturkeyhunterpodcast.myshopify.com/

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The American Wild Turkey Historical Foundation with Paul Campbell

Paul Campbell, Brent Rogers, and Nathaniel Maddux founded the American Wild Turkey Historical Foundation (AWTHF), also known as the Wild Turkey Archives, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving the history and culture of the American Wild Turkey. Paul Campbell, who left NWTF in September 2025 and hosts the "Turkey Season Podcast," discussed the foundation's primary focus on creating a digital archive for rapidly degrading physical media and collecting oral histories from the first wave of modern turkey hunters. The foundation plans to operate on a subscriber-based funding model, not competing with conservation groups, with a long-term vision for a physical archival facility and will be filming call maker content at Unicoi in January.

Pre Season Turkey Soup

Andy Gagliano and Cameron Weddington bring another turkey soup episode to you guys this week.

Cameron and Andy discuss the struggles of air travel for turkey hunting, sharing a pro tip for circumventing long rental car lines before introducing the main topic on various turkey and turkey hunting news. They cover the nationwide Wild Turkey DNA project, which aims to study genetic diversity and inbreeding, Mississippi's newly extended season structure, and Pennsylvania's move to a one-bird limit offset by increased Sunday hunting opportunities. Other topics include the decline in fall turkey harvest in Virginia, challenges to the future of fall hunting, Wisconsin's available leftover tags, record applications in Delaware's turkey lottery, Ohio's proposed elimination of fall archery hunting, and Michigan's expansion of digital tagging for turkeys.

There's some good info in this week's episode. Listen in!

Buy some merch and great sounding The Turkey Hunter diaphragm turkey calls from our Shopify store by clicking here: https://theturkeyhunterpodcast.myshopify.com/

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Turkey Hunting with the Walking Dead with Steve Webb

This week, Steve Webb joins Cameron and Andy on this week's episode.

You may not recognize Steve's name, but he has an amazing story to tell of what I'm sure is the most unforgettable turkey hunt he has ever been on - and likely the 2nd most unforgettable turkey hunt he has ever been on.

Steve basically died on a turkey hunt, and he was shocked back to life by a life saving device that his doctors put him on after several doctor visits.

Steve also shares an awesome story about a hunt with a blind hunter.

There are 2 amazing stories in this episode that you do not want to miss. Listen in!

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Remembering Jack Dudley with Preston Pittman and Austin Dudley

In this week's episode, we pay tribute to a true titan of the timber, the late Jack Dudley. Joining Cameron and Andy are two men who carry the Dudley legacy forward: Jack’s grandson, Austin Dudley, and 5-time World Champion Preston Pittman.

As a legendary mentor in the sport, Jack Dudley helped shape the foundation of modern turkey hunting. Preston reflects on their historic rivalry in the National Turkey Calling Championship and the "old school" woodsmanship Jack instilled in him—specifically the difficult art of natural voice turkey calling. Austin shares personal stories of his grandfather's "stationary" hunting approach and Jack's larger-than-life personality, from family camp memories to his famous trophy photos in the local newspaper.

Preston Pittman announces his forthcoming book, The New Breed: Turkey Hunting with Preston Pittman, set for release later this year.

Whether you’re a fan of Pittman Game Calls or a student of turkey hunting history, this episode reveals the massive, often-unseen impact Jack Dudley had on the gear, the calls, and the culture of turkey hunting today.

Listen in!

Buy some merch and great sounding The Turkey Hunter diaphragm turkey calls from our Shopify store by clicking here: https://theturkeyhunterpodcast.myshopify.com/

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2026 Unicoi Recap Show

This week, Cameron and Andy recap the 2026 Unicoi Custom Callmakers Show held in January in Helen, GA.

This year's show was once again a tremendous success for the callmakers and other exhibitors at the show. It was also a success for Andy as he was able to bring home some great calls to add to his turkey vest for this upcoming spring.

Andy bought incredible sounding calls from Roger Park, Darrell Dawkins, and Larry Stephens at this year's show, and he has audio clips from the woods running those calls for your listening pleasure in this episode.

Andy also had a special gift given to him by budding callmaker Luke Ditto, who was introduced to the Unicoi Custom Callmakers Show by this podcast. That introduction has led to an interest in building turkey calls. Andy shares that story this week.

This is a great episode, and we think you will enjoy it. Listen in!

Trapping Bobcats and Coyotes to Boost Turkey Populations with Bill Smith

This week, Bill Smith joins Cameron and Andy to discuss trapping bobcats and coyotes. Trapping these predators can benefit your turkey populations not just during nesting and brood rearing seasons, but throughout the entire year.

I see more and more videos on social media of these predators killing adult wild turkeys. I know this is not a new phenomenon, but, with predator populations increasing around the country due to low fur prices, there is no doubt predators are taking more wild turkeys as opportunities arise. Your adult turkey hens are especially susceptible to predators while they are sitting on their nests full time in the spring. Eliminating coyotes, bobcats, and foxes should help you to have more turkeys on your hunting property.

Bill Smith has a YouTube channel that is primarily focused on trapping these predators, and he is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to removing some of these animals from the landscape. In this podcast, Bill offers tips on trap sizes, baits, lures, sets, and pretty much anything and everything in between.

This episode will help you to become a better trapper, and trapping will help your property to become a better place for turkeys to flourish. Listen in!

Buy some merch and great sounding The Turkey Hunter diaphragm turkey calls from our Shopify store by clicking here: https://theturkeyhunterpodcast.myshopify.com/

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New Zealand Turkey Hunt Post Hunt Chat

This week, Cameron and Andy discuss, at length, their recent New Zealand turkey hunt with New Zealand Turkey Hunting Adventures and Dink Watson.

This discussion also includes the post hunt chat with Dink and one of the other hunters who was there at the time.

There are lots of stories, memories, and laughs shared during the chat, and we think that you will enjoy this show.

Listen in!

Buy some merch and great sounding The Turkey Hunter diaphragm turkey calls from our Shopify store by clicking here: https://theturkeyhunterpodcast.myshopify.com/

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2026 Unicoi Custom Callmakers Preview Show

This week, Josh Painter joins Cameron and Andy on the show for the first time to discuss the 2026 Unicoi Custom Callmakers show that will take place in Helen, Georgia on January 8 - 10.

The Unicoi show is one of the few places in the country where you can purchase custom made turkey calls from about 60 turkey callmakers. Many of these callmakers have 2 - 3 year waiting lists, but you can purchase calls from them right there in the show. In addition to the custom made turkey calls, there are other turkey hunting related vendors there selling their books, leather products, knives, and even some artwork. There will be several seminars held over the 2.5 day event as well.

This is an event you do not want to miss, and this is a show you don't want to miss. Listen in!

Buy some merch and great sounding The Turkey Hunter diaphragm turkey calls from our Shopify store by clicking here: https://theturkeyhunterpodcast.myshopify.com/

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A Turkey Hunter's Christmas Wishlist

Andy Gagliano and Cameron Weddington opened the podcast, joking about their recent communication and teasing a recorded guest episode set for late January or early February. Cameron Weddington detailed his predator trapping efforts, reporting success with a bobcat and a coyote but noting three remaining coyotes avoiding his current trap setup.

The majority of the discussion focused on a "Christmas spectacular" dedicated to turkey hunters, with gift recommendations from Cameron, including the Moonshine Leather Works Turkey Tote, hunting licenses and tags, new rubber boots, the Jaccard Meat Tenderizer, The Turkey Hunter Podcast diaphragm calls, and the Garrett Pro Pointer metal detector; and from Andy Gagliano, who suggested gas, hotel, and airline gift cards, Grizz Hawkins prints, TSS shotgun shells, a brown bag of "call cash" and a trip to the Unicoi Custom Call Maker Show as his top personal requests.

Buy some merch and great sounding The Turkey Hunter diaphragm turkey calls from our Shopify store by clicking here: https://theturkeyhunterpodcast.myshopify.com/

Join our Patreon group and get additional content, discounts on merch, and other great perks by clicking here: https://www.patreon.com/TheTurkeyHunterPodcast80