Brodie Swisher
Turkey hunting didn’t always look the way it does today. Long before high-definition videos, custom camo patterns, slate calls tuned to perfection, and nationwide conservation movements, turkey hunting was a regional tradition passed down quietly—often without cameras, sponsorships, or even written instruction.
What changed everything were a handful of passionate hunters, innovators, storytellers, and conservationists who refused to keep turkey hunting small. They educated, entertained, preserved, and elevated the pursuit. These men—and women—did more than call in gobblers; they called an entire community forward.
Here are 10 hunting legends whose impact permanently shaped turkey hunting as we know it.
Ben Rogers Lee
Early Game Call & Video Pioneer
Long before turkey hunting was “cool,” Ben Rogers Lee was promoting it through seminars, videos, and innovative calls.
He understood something critical: hunters wanted to learn. His early educational efforts helped spark nationwide interest in turkey hunting during a time when wild turkey populations were still recovering.
Legacy: Helped bring turkey hunting into the mainstream.
Tom Rodgers
Founder, NWTF
Tom Rodgers was an insurance salesman and syndicated outdoor writer who became a pivotal figure in the modern turkey hunting world.
In 1972, while traveling for work, Rodgers connected with state wildlife agency turkey biologists and others who shared his conservation values, gaining critical support for his idea. That same year, a stop in Edgefield, South Carolina—during the State Wild Turkey Calling Championships—helped solidify his resolve. He soon conceived the name National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) and officially chartered the organization on March 28, 1973, in Fredericksburg, Virginia, as a research and conservation education group. Under Rodgers’ leadership, the NWTF sponsored major calling contests, relocated to South Carolina (famously with little more than a cigar box of membership cards), and launched Turkey Call magazine to connect and educate members. Through founding the NWTF, Tom Rodgers laid the foundation for wild turkey restoration and permanently shaped the future of turkey hunting and conservation in North America.
Legacy: Pioneer for modern day turkey conservation.
Col. Tom Kelly
Author, "The Tenth Legion"
No list is complete without Col. Tom Kelly. The Tenth Legion isn’t just a book—it’s scripture for turkey hunters. Kelly gave voice to the obsession, humor, heartbreak, and reverence that define chasing longbeards.
He reminded hunters that turkey hunting is about far more than filling a tag; it’s about tradition, memory, and humility.
Legacy: Gave turkey hunting its soul in written form.
Will Primos
Founder, Primos Game Calls
If turkey hunting has a soundtrack, Will Primos helped write it.
Primos revolutionized the game-call industry by making realistic, easy-to-use calls accessible to everyday hunters. From mouth calls to box calls, Primos didn’t just sell gear—it educated hunters on how to use it. Will’s emphasis on authenticity and instruction helped break down the mystery of calling wild turkeys.
Beyond products, Primos became a lifestyle brand, teaching hunters how to communicate with the woods rather than just walk through them. His influence can be heard every spring morning across the country.
Legacy: Democratized turkey calling and raised the bar for realism.
Toxey Haas
Founder, Mossy Oak
Before Mossy Oak, camouflage was largely military-inspired and far less effective for turkey hunting. Toxey Haas changed that forever by designing camo that matched the woods, not a battlefield.
This innovation transformed turkey hunting strategy. Concealment became more effective, and success rates climbed. Mossy Oak also helped shape the visual identity of turkey hunters everywhere—blending fashion, function, and tradition.
Legacy: Redefined camouflage and the visual culture of turkey hunting.
Cuz Strickland
Primos “Truth” Series Pioneer
Cuz Strickland wasn’t just a hunter—he was a storyteller at a time when hunting media barely existed. In the 1980s, the Primos Truth series changed everything by putting authentic, ethical turkey hunts on video. Viewers didn’t just see the kill; they saw the setup, the calling, the misses, the lessons learned.
Cuz helped humanize hunting content. He showed that success came from patience, respect, and knowledge - not shortcuts. He’s still one of hunting’s greatest storytellers to this day. Hunters, young and old, love to hear the timeless stories told by Cuz through Mossy Oak’s Fist Full of Dirt podcast.
Legacy: Helped invent modern hunting video storytelling.
Brenda Valentine
“First Lady of Hunting”
Brenda Valentine, widely known as the “First Lady of Hunting,” is a legendary turkey hunter whose influence helped reshape the face of the sport and open the door for generations of women hunters. At a time when hunting—especially turkey hunting—was overwhelmingly male-dominated, Valentine broke barriers through her skill, knowledge, and visible passion for the outdoors. As a Grand Slam turkey hunter, accomplished author, and longtime television host, she showed that women could not only participate in hunting but excel at the highest levels.
By confidently sharing her hunts, teaching calling techniques, and advocating for ethical, conservation-minded hunting, Valentine normalized women’s presence in the turkey woods. Her authenticity and mentorship inspired countless women to pick up a shotgun, learn the language of wild turkeys, and feel welcome in a tradition once closed to them—fueling the boom in women’s hunting today, where turkey hunting remains one of the most popular and empowering entry points.
Harold Knight & David Hale
Founders, Knight & Hale Game Calls
Few duos have influenced turkey hunting as deeply as Harold Knight and David Hale. They were pioneers in both game call innovation and hunting video production—a combination that became the blueprint for the modern turkey hunting industry.
Their videos taught hunters how turkeys behave, how to read the woods, and how to hunt ethically. Their calls became staples in turkey vests nationwide.
Legacy: Built the foundation for educational hunting media and premium game calls.
Dick Kirby
Founder, Quaker Boy Game Calls
Dick Kirby didn’t just make calls—he built trust. Quaker Boy became synonymous with reliability, and Kirby’s turkey hunting videos—especially those featuring Grand Slam content—educated hunters on regional differences and advanced calling strategies.
His influence helped turn turkey hunting into a nationwide pursuit rather than a regional tradition.
Legacy: Popularized Grand Slam turkey hunting and dependable call design.
Why These Legends Matter Today
Modern turkey hunters benefit daily from the work of these pioneers—often without realizing it. Every realistic yelp, every camo pattern, every educational video, and every thriving turkey population traces back to their passion.
They didn’t just hunt turkeys.
They built a culture, a community, and a legacy.
We walk in their footsteps each spring as we hold close to their calls, message and memories every season.
