A memo from the artist of the 2026 Mossy Oak Wild Turkey Stamp artwork, David "Buzz" Nichols
As far back as I can remember, I have wanted to be outside. All of my memories as a child stem back to playing in the woods in the mountains of East Tennessee. Our backyard was a hardwood mountain gorge with a big boulder creek rolling through it. That landscape was critical for me as a child. I can remember sitting in classrooms staring out the window, longing for my next chance to be set free- and if I was confined to classroom or church pew, I was drawing....I still listened!....but I was drawing.
Art has always been a way for me to test my hand, but to also take me somewhere other than where I am physically. Through art, you can go anywhere.
I was deeply impacted and affected by the natural world at a young age and I feel the artistic lens I was fortunate to be born with gave me a unique perspective toward the wild. I remember stopping and observing so many things during my adventures. Those moments were always times of contemplation for my young mind to think about the artist responsible for it all. I believe art gave me the ability to deduct my own understanding of God's Creation. That has never changed in me and the older I get, the more I long to be out there.
I was looking at a glowing Exit sign over a doorway inside a building not that long ago and thought to myself, “why is the sign going to the outside called the exit? That's the ENTRANCE!”….for me at least, that’s where I’ve always found my true self and have learned my most valuable lessons. That, to me, is the real world and that, to me, is where we really belong.
As humans many of us often separate ourselves from it all. Our lives are filled with millions of things that blind us from seeing the Natural world through a wild eye. But, wild, we are. And we are so critical to the great circle…MOST critical, in fact. We have the power and the resources to change the trajectory of our remaining wild landscapes, and our precious resources are begging us to do so. I believe our greatest challenge as a species is learning to listen.
When I was asked to draw something for the 2026 Mossy Oak Wild Turkey Conservation Stamp, I felt a tremendous wave of pride and acknowledgement come over me. Not in an arrogant or self promotional way, but in a way where I felt my true love for Nature had been recognized- I felt that the heart I’ve carried for 42 years had at least spoken loudly enough to be heard by others who I admire and respect deeply. Mossy Oak is not a company to me. Mossy Oak is an iconic symbol..
..of Conservation
..of Woodsmanship
..of Family
..of Tradition
..of RESPECT
It was my honor and my absolute privilege to sit down and test my aging hand once again to pay homage to a bird that has brought me closer to God and his Creation than anything- The Wild Turkey. To share that in an effort to give back to them is something that means the world to me.
My Father introduced me to their world at a young age, and I can't thank him enough for that gift. My love of the Wild accelerated the first time I heard a Wild Turkey and saw him materialize from the hardwood moutainside.
When the prospect of drawing a hen and her poults was presented. I agreed it was a great direction because of the current state of vulnerability we are seeing.
At the end of the day, the hens are the ones who are doing the heavy lifting for this species we love so much. They study every step of their young without wavering, they guide them through diverse and dangerous landscapes, and they sacrifice their own safety for the little ones they were drafted to raise.
I have been beyond blessed to have women in my life who have done the same. Of course I want to thank my own Mother, who has loved me and always pushed me to be creative, and to be outside and to only come to the back porch dirty, wet, cut, and bruised…But for me not to mention my beloved wife Liz here, would be a missed opportunity to tell her how much she means to me. She has understood and encouraged my love for the wild since the day we met. She has joyously pushed me to chase my own passion without an ounce of complaint, and she has loved her own flock more beautifully than any I’ve seen. I dedicate this stamp to her and her unwavering love of me, but most importantly of our beautiful children; the next generation of stewards to the beautfiul World we were given.
Hunt hard.
Hunt fair.
Give more.
Take less.
RESPECT.
