I attended the New England Turkey Hunting Hall of Fame banquet in Concord, N.H., last Saturday, where I had the honor of escorting new inductees into the Hall of Fame from both Massachusetts and Vermont (More on that in a moment).At last year’s banquet, at almost the exact same time, the Board of Directors from Massachusetts announced that I was also being inducted into the Hall of Fame. That completely surprised me, as I had no idea it was happening, not even a clue. During the weeks before, my family gave nothing away, which was amazing. And I was completely honored, and humbled, at the same time.
On that evening, I escorted Ellie Horwitz, Chief of Information and Education for MassWildlife, into the 2019 class, and I was focused on nothing else. That was until later, as I stammered through a surprise acceptance speech of my own. There was so much more I wanted to say, but simply couldn’t find the words. It’s taken a year for me to say much of anything about it, much less put pen to paper. But at last Saturday evening’s event, it really hit home that there was so many people I should have thanked. But the surprise, and emotion of it all, just didn’t allow it.
That night, I needed to say that no one accomplishes anything without receiving help. I received more than my share, especially from my family, my wife Linda, and people I worked with at Blackmer Insurance, particularly Gordon Taylor who gave me the gift of time and patience, as the steep learning curve of turkey hunting consumed me. Along with other friends and fellow NWTF members, we accomplished so much together, and that makes each of them as deserving, if not more so, than me. I should have thanked each of them for everything they did. But I couldn’t … so, I’m saying it now. I share that honor, in my heart, with all of them, and always will.
Which brings me back to those honored at last Saturday’s event.
The 2020 inductee from Vermont, Bart Jacob, and I never really became what you would call close friends, as we only saw each other during turkey hunting season and occasionally at a seminar or sportsman’s show somewhere. Nevertheless, we were chums, as he always had a kind word while making time for a visit. He would always ask if I was “having any luck,” which I began to understand and appreciate more and more as the years went on.
During those years, Bart’s legacy as a turkey hunter, call maker and author soared. His book, “The Grand Spring Hunt,” sold many copies over the years and should be required turkey hunting 101 reading for those just starting out. He hunted with Rob Keck, Ben Rogers Lee and Neil Cost, who he credits as giving him inspiration as a call maker. You met those guys at Bart’s shop back then. And I loved it, because I was there looking for advice from hunters better than myself — a bit humiliating, yes, but true. Bart would always visit if he had the time, and sometimes even if he didn’t have the time. He never made you feel undervalued about something you didn’t know, and he would always deliver easily understood advice. In his lifetime, Bart Jacob was known as a kind man and mentor to more turkey hunters than we’ll probably ever know. And after being in this sport for over 40 years, he was as fine a turkey hunter as I’ve ever met.
Entrance into the New England Turkey Hunting Hall of Fame is deeply rooted in recognizing individuals for their contributions to the conservation of the wild turkey, and for their dedication and preservation of our hunting heritage. Few in Massachusetts have carried the credentials of hard work and commitment like Gary and Mary Jane Miller. They were two of the best, and most dedicated hunters, of that era. It was a privilege for me to escort Gary and Mary Jane into the class of 2020, as they accomplished so much as turkey hunters and early National Wild Turkey Federation pioneers. Honored that night for their decades of contributions to both hunting and the NWTF in Massachusetts, no one was more instrumental, and influential, during those grassroots years, than Gary and Mary Jane. They helped hunters learn the attributes of being a member of this group while working countless hours on membership development and chapter banquets, spreading the word at every sportsman’s show they could get to. At the same time, teaching countless hunters the skills of what it took to be a successful turkey hunter, when there was no one else around to learn from. They always left you with a sense of appreciation that was immeasurable.
The honor was all mine to be there with these inductees who gave so much to the sport of turkey hunting in New England. And it culminated with all of us being together that night, at that place, and in that moment, of what later became a very special and emotional evening, never to be forgotten.
Joe Judd is a lifelong hunter and sportsman. He is an outdoor writer, seminar speaker, member of the New England Outdoor Writers Association, and a 2019 inductee into the N.E. Turkey Hunting Hall of Fame. Joe is also on the Quaker Boy Game Calls, Bass Pro Shops/Cabela’s Pro-Staff.