DAN SIMMONS Sportsman's Quest MORE COLUMNS SPECIAL TO THE PVT Mike Dreyer and Tony Benedeito during their recent safari with an impala trophy. Advertisement

When first arriving in Nevada, I was excited about receiving a tag to hunt wild turkey on the Mason Valley Wildlife Refuge. Here it was, one of the few game animals in North America I hadn't hunted and I had one of these coveted tags in my own state of Nevada. Wow

The wild turkey, this truly American bird, was originally destined to be our national bird. Its keen hearing, eyesight, and importance as an abundant food resource had been known since the time of the Pilgrims. It was on the short list of our nation's founders to become the national symbol, but the fish-eating scavenger, known as the bald eagle, won out purely due to its handsome looks and magnificent vocalization.

The turkey's looks, gobble and great taste doomed it to the Thanksgiving dinner table. (I don't think the eagle would have been such great table fare anyway).

So, that's the history; now was my moment to hunt this legendary bird.

Let it be known that I'm a fairly accomplished hunter, having faced charging bears, angry moose, wild boar, crafty mountain goats and bighorn sheep, African game of many sorts, and I don't embarrass myself badly when wing shooting grouse, quail, chukar or even fast flying doves.

Big clumsy turkeys should be easy.

I had even held them in my arms and released them on a Fish and Wildlife restocking project. I had a plan, and a second, and third back-up plan, none of which required me to paint my face and wear goofy full camo clothing as I had heard others do. After all, these were Rio Grande Turkeys, not the magnificent Merriam turkeys of the North and East.

These would be rehabs from Texas -- no match for me.

It would be simple; I would wait early in the morning (around 9) to hear one of these birds give himself away with that silly gobble. Then, I would use my abundant stealth to sneak up and assassinate it with my new heavy loads of specialized 3-inch Magnum turkey shot.

As a matter of fact, I was almost able to do this several times, but as "hunter's luck" goes, I guess it was just not with me the first couple of days. The Turkey seemed to give me the slip -- "turkey luck," I guess.

Not a problem, I would just go to my second back-up plan, which always works. I would hide behind a tree, have my son circle around and chase the bird in my direction. This had worked on many a pheasant and quail hunt.

Hiding behind a stump I waited, and waited, and waited. Eventually I heard a noise coming in my direction, and finally, "Don't shoot, dad, it's me." We tried this several times too.

I was beginning to think that perhaps these Texas turkeys were different, possibly like their neighboring burrowing owls; they had developed a subterranean survival tactic. I'd research this later.

Still not a problem, I had seen enough Davy Crockett and Daniel Boone movies to know the final solution. They would just sit under a tree, nap a bit, and in their smoke-tanned buckskin clothing wait for the bird to come to them. It only required patience.

Now, patience is something I'm long on. I've hunted sheep over natural licks, waited in duck and goose blinds near a pond for hours and sat on a promising deer trail or near rubs. Heck, I was even a public school teacher once, which may be the ultimate test.

While sitting and waiting, I did have several squirrels come to visit; a deer and some quail also came quite close, but I remained still. I don't even think I made the usual noises during the occasional time I "rested my eyes." This was a most enjoyable way to hunt, though, and after all it's not the killing that counts, it's just a matter of "hunters luck."

Back at the camp ground, my fellow hunters had been luckier. Many had nice gobblers, some with long beards and spurs, but it was just luck and, besides, they looked silly all painted up in their ghillie suits, playing with those box calls and pieces of plastic in their mouths.

We ended the hunt with a nice turkey dinner around the camp fire. This was a great bunch of guys and next time maybe I'll dress up in a costume like theirs and learn a few tunes on one of those wood boxes, or plastic mouth pieces. It couldn't hurt and I guess its okay - if that's the tradition.

Sorry I didn't have a trophy picture for you this week; I'll see if I can find one for a future article. If you have one, my email address is at the bottom. Let me know if you were luckier, or your technique different.

P.S., Gave a great Thanksgiving. I have since learned that the full camo, practiced turkey calls and a different set of skills are required for this type of hunt. The Fish and Wildlife branch's turkey class, as it turns out, was right and would have been helpful-next time.

Update

I'm looking forward to tomorrow nights RMEF Banquet.

Several of my hunting pals will be there to swap stories and pictures of their latest adventures; that's part of the game.

Chapter chairman Mike Dreyer will certainly have a story about his latest safari, and the one he is planning. Another safari will be auctioned off, and it's usually a local bargain. I've promised to keep my hand down, not scratch my nose or stand up during the various auction items. But, I've said that before and it hasn't always worked out that way; we'll see. Hope to see you there.

The Amazon Peacock bass trip planned with friends, Bob Beckett, Ed Goedhart, and Ron Cross for November has been postponed until January. Another member of the team had to drop out, so there's still room on the Amazon Queen riverboat/luxury hotel boat.

If you're interested in exploring the upper Amazon basin of Brazil and the Rio Negro for this most ferocious fish, and a few piranhas on the side, give me a call or e-mail.

For more information go to www.amazontours.com.

Upcoming Events

Here's the big one. Tomorrow night, Saturday, Nov. 17, 2007, the Mount Charleston Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation is holding its 10th annual banquet at the Mountain Falls Clubhouse. This popular banquet gets bigger, better, and more exciting each year. Thanks to the dedicated committee headed by Mike and Tracie Dreyer.

This is the one you won't want to miss. For more information please contact Michael or Tracie Dreyer at 775-209-6750

The Las Vegas, Desert Chapter of the Safari Club International is holding its banquet at the Rio in Las Vegas on Jan. 19, 2008. For more information you can contact any of the following people; Dave Small at 702-334-3860, Rance Spurlock at 702-564-5668, Chris Petersen at 702-873-1094 or Marian Hinebauch at 702-419-6516.

Recipe of the Week

You would have seen a recipe for roast wild turkey here, if I had gotten one, but you, like me, will have to settle for leftovers. Here's one of my favorites, and besides, don't we all enjoy the after-Thanksgiving turkey just as much as the banquet?

Turkey Fritters

Ingredients: 21/4 cups mashed potatoes; 11/4 cups turkey, chopped; 1/2 cup of cooked ham, chopped; 1 tbsp. dried herbs; 2 eggs, lightly beaten; 1/4 cup milk; 21/4 cups bread crumbs; salt and pepper; oil for frying.

Directions: Mix mashed potatoes, turkey, ham, herbs, and 1 egg, season with salt and pepper to taste. Shape into flat patties or small balls. Beat second egg and milk together. Dip the patties into egg and milk mixture, then completely coat with bread crumbs. Heat oil in a large frying pan; cook patties on both sides until golden brown.

This makes a great lunch or breakfast and covered with a hollandaise sauce it is extraordinary.

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If you have an adventure, a story or a comment give me a call (775) 727-9777 or e-mail me at dansimmons@usa.net.