Of all the types of hunting, turkey hunters are among the most dedicated to their pursuit. These hunters live for spring, the sound of a distant gobble, and the challenges associated with killing a wary tom. In many ways, it’s an art form refined over decades of trial and error. The very best turkey hunters are outright obsessed with every aspect of hunting gobblers.
For that reason, it may seem that the best turkey hunters are the best turkey killers—hunters that, year after year, successfully harvest toms. This is certainly true if we are basing this list on the ability to kill birds. However, to be the best takes much more than killing birds. These figures are pivotal parts of turkey hunting history, the conservation of wild turkeys, and the evolution of calling, and are ultimately responsible for the state of modern turkey hunting. These are our picks for the best turkey hunters of all time.
Will Primos
If you’ve done any amount of turkey hunting, chances are you have a Primos call. In 1963, at the age of 11, Will Primos made his first call. This first call was a duck call inspired by his uncle’s knack for calling birds. It wasn’t until the 1970s that Primos would create his first mouth call after an encounter with Eleanor Russel, a local turkey landowner. These early tin-mouth calls quickly gained popularity, and demand skyrocketed. Before long, Primos Hunting Calls became a household name with national demand. In an effort to continue growing his business, Primos created his Truth Video series, showing hunters how to use the calls Primos created. Today, Primos Hunting Calls makes much more than turkey calls, but Will Primos’ early work with turkey hunting and lasting legacy in this space secures him a spot on our list.
Ben Rogers Lee
Ben Rogers Lee is an important figure in the evolution of turkey hunting and perhaps one of the sport’s earliest celebrities. Lee is credited with developing the first mouth calls, which he sold locally in Alabama for 50 cents apiece. These original calls featured lead frames, something you would never see today. With his calls, Lee would go on to win five world turkey calling championships between 1969 and 1977, in addition to several national, state, and local calling championships.
But his legacy extends far beyond his call-making and calling. Lee was one of the first to use television to promote turkey hunting, including an appearance on the Tonight Show. He used his platform to bring awareness to turkey conservation and the importance of protecting these birds and their habitats. Unfortunately, Ben Lee passed away in 1991 after an automobile accident, leaving behind a legacy of turkey hunting, calling, and conservation for future generations.
Ray Eye
Ray Eye is a nationally known writer, author, and turkey hunter. Born in the Ozarks, he has been hunting turkeys for over 50 years. His experience and way with words have led to Eye’s national recognition. He is the lead hunting writer for Midwest Outdoors and was a columnist with Outdoor Life. In addition, Ray Eye wrote the literal bible of turkey hunting. Ray Eye’s Turkey Hunter’s Bible: The Tips, Tactics, and Secrets of a Professional Turkey Hunter draws from Eye’s lengthy experience, laying out the foundation for turkey hunters anywhere. In addition to his literary works, Ray Eye is known for his aggressive calling tactics, often outlined in his writing.
Harold Knight & David Hale
Harold Knight and David Hale are both world-renowned turkey hunters and could very well have their own spots on this list. but as a duo, their contributions to the sport of turkey hunting were so revolutionary and undeniable that it was only fitting to include them together. Their paths crossed when Hale, a farmer, went to get a haircut from his barber, Knight. Hale discovered Knight had been working on creating a realistic-sounding turkey call out of a pill bottle. The two started making and marketing these early calls until they formed Knight & Hale Game Calls in 1972. Together, they have helped shape modern turkey calling and are a household name amongst many turkey hunters. In addition to their work in call-making, this duo played an important role in conservation efforts responsible for the third NWTF chapter (Kentucky).
Colonel Tom Kelly
There are few people as revered as Tom Kelly in the turkey-hunting world. Kelly served in the Navy during WWII before rejoining the military during the Korean War, eventually retiring as a Colonel. In 1973, he would self-publish his first and most famous book, The Tenth Legion. Widely regarded as the bible of turkey hunting, this masterpiece is equal parts anecdotes, tips, and humor, and propelled Colonel Kelly into turkey hunting history. Throughout his career, Kelly penned over 20 books related to his hunting experiences and played a pivotal role in turkey conservation. Even today, in his late 90s, Kelly still remains active in the hunting world.
Eddie Salter
What list would be complete without the man nicknamed the “Turkey Man.” Eddie Salter is a well-renowned turkey caller and hunter. His early success stemmed from his realistic calling style. He quickly began stacking competition wins, eventually racking up seven Southeastern Championships, six Alabama State Championships, and two World Open Championships. From there, Salter’s presence continued to grow with appearances on ESPN, TNN, The Outdoor Channel, and more. He even hosted his own show, Turkey Man, on the Pursuit Channel. In 2022, Salter was inducted into the first inaugural Alabama Turkey Hunters Hall of Fame, solidifying himself as part of turkey hunting history and as part of our list.
Preston Pittman
Preston Pittman makes this list for his contributions to competitive calling and call-making. Perhaps one of the winningest turkey callers of all time, Preston Pittman’s accolades include five World Turkey Calling titles in addition to countless national and state championships. Following his success, he created Pittman Game Calls, a company bringing premium and realistic-sounding turkey calls to the public. In addition to his calling success, Preston Pittman is an exceptional hunter. He is recorded as the first person to successfully document a double slam in a single season (killing two birds of each of the four subspecies of wild turkey—8 birds total).
Michael Waddell
Many of the figures on this list are responsible for core parts of early turkey hunting history. Michael Waddell, on the other hand, plays a pivotal role in the history of modern turkey hunting. Known for his show Bone Collector, Waddell is a passionate turkey hunter who has likely inspired more turkey hunters than anyone else in recent history. His TV career and tips videos have propelled Waddell into a household name amongst all hunters. While he is not alone in the world of modern turkey hunters, Waddell is perhaps the most recognizable turkey hunter in the modern era, and for that, he is a core part of this list.
Carl Fox Haas
Carl Fox Haas nicknamed Mr. Fox, is a pivotal figure in turkey hunting history and its recovery. As turkey numbers continued to plummet in the 1970s, Mr. Fox was charged with aiding in the reintroduction of wild turkeys in eastern Mississippi. With the help of others, Haas was able to take just four transplants and quickly establish a flock of over 60 turkeys—a pivotal step in early turkey conservation. In addition to his conservation efforts, Haas was a notable turkey hunter in his own right. His love for hunting and passion for conservation carried on through his family, inspiring his son, Toxey Haas to follow in his footsteps, eventually forming Mossy Oak.
Toxey Haas
If there is one thing synonymous with turkey hunting, it’s Mossy Oak Bottomland. This iconic pattern was born out of the mind of Toxey Haas, son of Carl Fox Haas. At the age of 25, Toxey Haas developed the original Bottomland pattern, seeking a better camo pattern for turkey hunting. In 1986, Mossy Oak was formed, and the rest was history. Mossy Oak Bottomland and variations of it have become the go-to for turkey hunters everywhere. On top of its success, Toxey Haas and Mossy Oak understood the importance of conversation. Importance donations and collaborations with organizations like NWTF promote and conserve wild turkeys and turkey habitat. Mossy Oak also creates an annual Turkey Stamp, similar to a duck stamp, but with 100% of proceeds funding wild turkey research and conservation.
Tom Rodgers
If you’ve done any amount of turkey hunting, you’re probably familiar with the National Wild Turkey Federation or NWTF. The work NWTF does is pivotal for the protection and restoration of wild turkeys. However, you may not be familiar with Tom Rodgers, the man behind NWTF. In 1972, insurance salesman and outdoor author Tom Rodgers saw the importance of wild turkey conservation. With just 1.3 million birds nationwide, he knew something had to be done. That year, he formed the NWTF with the goal of restoring wild turkey populations. Through national chapters, fundraising, and restoration efforts, Rodgers achieved his goal. Today, it is estimated that there are roughly 7 million wild turkeys, marking one of the greatest recovery stories in wildlife history.