Brenda Valentine and Preston Pittman will appear at the National Wild Turkey Federation Women In The Outdoors banquet Aug. 3 at the Bass Pro Shop in Uncle Buck’s Grill banquet room. The event is sure to start their Mississippi chapter off with a bang as they host their first event in Pearl.

Valentine, the “First Lady of Hunting”, from Puryear, Tenn., represents women in the outdoors for the NWTF  and co-hosts Bass Pro Shop’s outdoor TV shows on the Outdoor Channel and the Sportsman Channel. She’s been a member of Bass Pro Shops National RedHead Pro Hunting team for 17 years, a Mossy Oak ProStaff member, a pro staffer for Hunter Safety Systems and Orca coolers and a past national archery champion. 

Although the event is sponsored by the WITO, the banquet is not just for women, it’s for all hunters, young and old alike. There will be something for everyone there and you’re sure to hear a little turkey calling, owl hooting and maybe even an elk bugle.

Jenifer Flanagan, of Bass Pro Shops, was instrumental in the chapter formation and spearheaded efforts at collecting some custom made turkey calls and products from some of the country’s top call makers and craftsman.

“Boxcalls and Pearls is the new State Chapter of Women In The Outdoors,” Flanagan said. “We promote all outdoor activities for women including concealed carry classes, self-defense classes, fishing, archery, turkey hunting, etc.. We want to give all women, young and old, an opportunity to get involved and get outdoors. All they need is an opportunity to do something and learn from somebody with no pressure and that’s just what we plan to do.”

Flanagan is affectionately known as “Boss Hen” by her many turkey hunting friends and she is a very accomplished deer and turkey hunter and bass angler.

She also happens to be one of the top managers at the Bass Pro Shops store in Pearl and she shares her love and passion for the outdoors with everybody she meets.

If you have a wife, daughter, sister or friend who wants to get involved in the outdoors then here’s your opportunity to introduce them in a low key way. The friends they meet with this ladies’ chapter will be with them a lifetime in many cases.

There will be some custom-made products there for deer and turkey hunters alike with hand made knives and calls made by craftsman from all over the country.

“I’m so excited about the possibilities and about the quality turkey calls and special items we will have at the dinner,” Flanagan said. “If you know anything about turkey calls then you’re sure to recognize many of the nationally acclaimed call makers who will be represented here. And to have Brenda Valentine and Preston Pittman here at the same time is very special”

Here’s a list of the prominent hunters and custom call makers who have donated calls and items for the banquet. 

Scott C. Ellis, National Champion Turkey Caller, Jeffrey Wood, Billy McAllister, Chris Rice, Darren Dye, David Ross, Mark McPhail, Jeff Wade, Buster Duvall, John Eddleman, Seth Borries (custom knife), Rick Alessandrini, Tom Watson, Scott Fletcher, Andy Snair, Peter Wentworth, Steve Savage, Ken Martin and Wesley Whitaker.

For more information about the event contact Jimmy Barton at 601-455-3318 or email jbarton@nwtf.net.

Call Mike Giles at 601-917-3898 or email mikegiles18@comcast.net.