There is not a turkey hunter alive who likes to read who would not be happy to own a copy of the new book, “Turkey Roost Tales.” Good books about hunting wild turkeys in spring are read over and over by those of us who are hopelessly bewitched by the activity. Additionally, the good ones, as I have so vividly discovered, increase in monetary value through the years. And “Turkey Roost Tales” is one of the good ones.

Dr. Robert Dale Jr. M.D. has written his second book about this most compelling outdoor pursuit, his first being titled “Double Gobble.” This second offering continues telling us hunters what we want to hear – accounts of fascinating turkey hunts and the lore that is born of our interactions with the birds, the mentors and the legends of the endeavor.

Bobby Dale continues a long time association with the gobblers and turkey hunters of Copiah County, Mississippi and these adventures are presented with captivating prose in his books. I eagerly explored the pages of “Turkey Roost Tales” not only for the interesting stories, but also because Copiah County is where I killed my first gobbler, quite near Dale’s hunt area. My Copiah County tom inspired my first national magazine article (Outdoor Life, April, 1983.)

Re-telling the tales



Dale is one of those hunters who enjoys the stories of our adventures in the turkey woods and who is skilled in telling them. Others’ stories are just as valued as his own and accounts of them are given in exciting and stimulating detail. I know of no other game animal the stories about which are so cherished by those who hunt it.

In the book, such named turkeys as Louis, Ole Thunder and Big Red have left the stories of elusiveness for Dale to write about and for us to enjoy. And there is a chapter that looks at “boss turkeys” with a little different view that makes sense but that we rarely think about.

Turkey hunting characters, usually old timers who have learned individually more than any of us know about the pursuit, form collectively an important part of this great pastime. “Turkey Roost Tales” is filled with these characters, friends and acquaintances of Bobby Dale.



Perfect gift



I have noted in the past that a book makes a perfect Christmas gift. These were and still are my reasons. Books are widely available from various sources. They are inexpensive, easy to gift wrap, mail or hand deliver. They last for a lifetime. Particular ones can be chosen for content that interests the recipient, who can store them easily and enjoy them over and over at any chosen time. Certain ones, like even recent turkey books, greatly increase in value through the years.

Most importantly, a book that matches the person’s interests is always appreciated.

Obtain copies of Bobby Dale’s books from book stores or contact him for inscribed copies at DG Book Sales, 110 Ravenwood Cove, Tupelo, MS 38804. See the Web site at dgbooksales.com or E-mail the author at radwldturkey@yahoo.com. Dale’s phone is (662)-840-4648.