Bad Birds is a good name for a turkey book about bad gobblers. If you’re not a turkey hunter, you can’t begin to imagine what a “bad gobbler” is. Suffice it to say that there are a lot of bad gobblers in this world and many meet their maker at the hands of Father Time. Jim Spencer of Calico Rock, Arkansas is a dyed in the wool turkey hunter with a full blown case of the turkey disease! And when it strikes you or a friend, there’s not much you can do but live with it the best you can, unless it drives you crazy or kills you first.

    Jim Spencer has sent more than his share of trophy gobblers to the Happy Hunting Grounds all across this great land of ours. In the process of chasing these wily birds, he’s tamed quite a few with his seductive turkey talk and been humbled by quite a few as well. In the process Jim has compiled a collection of stories about these bad birds and even named each one due to some particular character trait, habit, or circumstance they were involved in.

Names that Haunt You

    Spencer’s stories are nothing short of fantastic and each one beckons you to read it via a witty name. Gobblers such as The Sneak, The Red Baron, Boone, Bobby Fischer, and Sneaky Pete are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the exciting adventures regaled by this turkey hunter and scribe extraordinaire and found in the pages of this book.

    Up until now my favorite turkey book was The Old Pro Turkey Hunter by Gene Nunnery. Bad Birds has now taken its place in my pecking order. Do you want to read exciting stories about turkey hunting? Then this is the book for you. Are you interested in learning how to hunt a wise old bird? Then Spencer’s yarns will give you more first hand experience than you could have in a lifetime of turkey hunts.

    Almost every story has something different, and unique about the hunt and the bird’s personalities. And yes, though the gobblers are all different, I have encountered many birds that have tendencies and characteristics just like the gobblers in the stories of Spencer’s book. Read the book and you’ll be better off for it. While you’re reading you’ll be learning if you pay attention.

Win and Lose  

    Though some of these bad birds beat our scribe, you can learn how to handle similar birds, as a result of Jim’s own failures, as few as they may be. There’s just so much good information in the stories that can put you ahead of the game by learning to do what Jim has already done. And sure, you’re bound to fail when turkey hunting, but chances are, you’ll be way ahead of the game by absorbing Jim’s insightful and colorful stories.

    In short, this is the most informative, exciting and easy reading turkey book that I’ve ever picked up. But don’t take my word for it, read it for yourself and make up your own mind. I can guarantee it will make you a better turkey hunter if you pay close attention to some of Jim’s nuggets of wisdom. For more information on Jim Spencer’s book on Bad Birds contact Jim at 870-321-0242 or via email: modernmountainman@gmail.com.

— Mike Giles