Story and photography by Bob Zaiglin

While hunting with good friends, a teacher benefits from expert calling while pursuing one of the most unique and rarest subspecies of wild turkey.

Throughout my career as a private lands wildlife biologist, I have been privileged to host some of the biggest names in the turkey hunting world.  As a beneficiary of their inherent ability to talk turkey, I have improved my own skill set and continue to learn as I returned to Florida for a second time to pursue Osceola’s with my second family, the Shashy clan.

David Shashy and I have hunted together from the famous Golden Triangle of South Texas to Africa since 1985.  I am now privileged to pursue one of the most unique and rarest subspecies of wild turkey with David’s sons, Dan and Ben, long considered nephews, as I am proudly referred to as ‘Uncle Bob’.

More importantly, both young men are accomplished outdoorsmen, and my excursions with them often evolve into an outdoor classroom, learning much more from them than I can teach them, particularly when it comes to deceiving an Osceola.  Matter of fact, when I am doing the calling, they represent more pressure on me than a turkey ever could.  To put our hunt into perspective, we have a blast, and although harvesting a turkey is a relished experience, actually a privilege, the pursuit is just an excuse to get together and enjoy this amazing renewable resource together.

Once our plane touched down in March of 2024 at the Gainesville airport, it was only minutes before our luggage appeared on the carousel, always a portent for good things to come.  Exiting the building, the first thing Jan and I saw was Ben and Dan leaning on a Mercedes, which Dan informed me his dad bought for him.

************************************************************************
To read more, click here to SUBSCRIBE