article by J.D. Huitt

With Missouri’s turkey season underway, Three Timbers staffers Craig Tanner, Rick Thomas, and myself headed to Houston, Missouri to hunt with Jim and Darlene Wilson of Ozark Mountain Outfitters. Ozark Mountain Outfitters is nestled in the heart of Missouri’s top producing county for turkey hunting and to say that the action during our hunt was fast and furious would be an understatement.

From the getgo on Day 1, we were into turkeys. Rick Thomas, along with guide Buddy and thier hunter, Jon, were covered in turkeys (including multiple bearded hens). Unfortunatly, their morning ended with a close miss. The next day, Jon avenged his miss by waylaying a large jake at less than 10 yards. This hunt was extra special given the physical limitations that Jon lives with. To kill a turkey is difficult enough, but to do it from a wheelchair makes the victory that much sweeter. Add the challenges of filming the whole thing, and any turkey that you take is truly a trophy bird.

The third day found Rick behind the camera once again with Craig fulfilling the role as the hunter. With only a short amount of time left in legal shooting hours, Craig and Rick were able to strike up a bird. After setting up along a field edge, both were unpleasently surprised when the bird appeared directly behind them…..5 yards away! Craig was able to take a killing shot on a triple bearded bird, but unfortunatly, Rick wasn’t able to get the camera onto the bird on time and the kill shot was missed on camera. In spite of the lack of footage, it was a great hunt and a great success for all involved.

On the last day of the first week of season, my wife Hannah and I traveled back to Houston for one last chance at an Ozark Mountain longbeard. Setting up where Jim Wilson had successfully guided a hunter earlier in the week, the woods thundered with gobbles all around us at daybreak and continued throughout the morning. By 8:00 a.m., we had our bird down with some great footage to go along with it. Sporting a 10 1/2 inch beard, it was one of the funnest and most memorable hunts that I have ever been on.

Upon leaving Ozark Mountain Outfitters, I mentioned to my wife that it truly felt like I was leaving family. In addition to great accomodations and the homecooked meals, Jim and Darlene Wilson go out of their way to ensure that their guests walk away with the best hunting experience that one could ask for. Although success is never a given in hunting, Ozark Mountain Outfitters provides about as close as one can get to a sure thing for turkeys. In the first half of the 2006 spring season, Ozark Mountain boasts a 100% success rate for thier hunters. For physically challenged hunters, their service is second to none.

For more information on turkey hunting in a wholesome Christian environment with Ozark Mountain Outfitters, visit thier website at www.huntthenorth.com/ozarkmtn.html