The 34th Annual NWTF Convention and Sports Show was February 18 – 21, 2010 in Nashville, TN. If you happened to miss out, here are a dozen good turkey-hunting products we found while walking four acres of booths, and weaving our way through tens of thousands of turkey hunting fanatics!
1. Zink Thunder Ridge Series
Crafted using state-of-the-art injection molding technology, Zink Calls' new Thunder Ridge Series of slate, crystal and aluminum turkey calls guarantees you'll find the same quality and consistency in every note. Thunder Ridge Series includes a two-piece hardwood striker. It also sports the popular E-Z Gripper Ring and built-in striker conditioning pocket. Also included is a copy of Zink's latest DVD production: Turkey Time University Vol. II–Friction Calling Basics. www.zinkcalls.com
2. Weatherby PA-08
The Weatherby PA-08 lightweight, pump shotgun features a vented top rib, chrome-lined barrel, screw-in multi-choke capability and durable injection-molded synthetic stock. The black matte reduces glare, and the gun is available in either 12 or 20 gauge options with a 26- or 28-inch barrel. www.weatherby.com
3. DSD Submissive Hen
From Dave Smith Decoys, this hen is designed to lay flat, in a natural breeding posture. The DSD Submissive Hen looks incredibly realistic and effective at drawing in the attention of lovesick gobblers. The new decoy is made of a new Advanced Crosslink Elastomer (A.C.E) plastic material that is quiet while transporting through the turkey woods and bounces back in shape if crushed. It comes complete with carry bag. www.davesmithdecoys.com
4. Ultimate Fighting Purr
From Knight & Hale Game Calls, this new turkey call is an entire fighting purr system in one, user-friendly unit. The call can be used by holding it in one hand and rotating the spindle with the other or place it on the ground for one hand operation to make spot-on fighting purr sounds. www.knightandhale.com
5. Nikon TurkeyBTR
Nikon 1.65-5x36mm TurkeyPro BTR riflescope is waterproof, fogproof and shockproof. The scope features Nikon’s TurkeyPro Ballistic Turkey Reticle which subtends a turkey's head from crown to wattles at 40 yards, a multicoated optical system, anti-reflective technology, and 5 inches of eye relief. It’s available in matte black and Realtree or Mossy Oak camouflage. www.nikonhunting.com
6. FlightControl Turkey Loads
Federal Premiums’ revolutionary FliteControl wads stay with shot longer, providing more high-velocity pellets to stay target. And these turkey loads produce 30% tighter patterns than traditional wad systems with copper-plated buffered shot for dense, tight, uniform patterns.10 rounds per box. www.federalpremium.com
7. Squealing Hen Call
The Squealing Hen call was developed by H.S. pro staffer Eddie Salter, the call reproduces the sound a hen turkey makes during breeding, triggering an internal frenzied response from gobblers to seek and find the source of the sound. The call is easy to operate, simply blow into the call while depressing the lever. This puts pressure on the internal Infinity Latex reed and the authentic high-pitched breeding hen sound is produced. www.hunterspec.com
8. Flextone Trifecta 3-Pack
Used and proudly endorsed by Michael Waddell, The Trifecta 3-Pack contains the Spur Collector, Kung Fu Chop, and Freak Nasty calls. The Spur Collector features an easy-to-blow, 2-reed call with a "V" cut, which produces clear yelps to loud and raspy cutts. The Kung Fu Chop is an easy to use 3 reed call that is raspy from low to high. The Freak Nasty is a diaphragm that has plenty of back bone for super and aggressive calling, yet has enough versatility to sweet talk too. www.flextonegamecalls.com
9. Turkey Call Collectors’ Guide
The Turkey Call Collectors’ Guide is a new book that is a useful catalog of collectible turkey calls sales and their prices from 2002–2008. This book, with over 300 color pictures, is a terrific reference resource for call collectors, auctioneers, antique dealers, and anyone interested in turkey calls. The author George Denka, is a diehard turkey hunter and an avid turkey call collector. www.amazon.com
10. Sportsman Deep Fryer
Whether it’s turkey, chicken, fish, wild game, french fries, or veggies the Sportsman outdoor fryer cooks delicious meals fast and easy. It can cook up to a 12 pound turkey.
With cooking Temperatures of 350° reached in as little as 19 minutes, this revolutionary design keeps oil from scorching. And with no open flame, an accidental boil-over will not ignite. The heavy-duty unit also features two heavy duty side shelves and easy roll-about design. www.timberridgecooking.com
11. Derby City Magnum
From a new call company called Derby City, the Magnum pot call is shaped to resemble the inside chamber of a .44 Magnum handgun. The outside ports of the chamber provide a great surface for holding the Magnum, you can grip this call in the tips of your fingers or cradle it softly with your index finger and thumb. This call is also offered in exotic woods for an additional charge, these woods include 500-year old-growth maple, Brazilian rosewood and California redwood. www.derbycitycalls.com
12. IPS Box Call Kit
From a company called Extreme Outdoors, the IPS turkey call kit features an innovative “Interchangeable Paddle System” (IPS) that allows you to quickly swap paddle lids to achieve various sounds. The box call is made from high-quality poplar, and the kit includes cherry, butternut and walnut paddles. A tri-fold paddle holster and a large variety of additional paddles are also available. www.reengineeringthehunt.com.
Learn more about the National Wild Turkey Federation at www.nwtf.org.