LIFE AS A TURKEY GUIDE

Scott Dillon of Waterloo, Ohio, spends each year traveling from place to place across the U.S. as a migrant outdoor worker. Dillon lives the dream of many outdoorsmen as he hunts and fishes, according to the seasons, in a wide variety of places. He enjoys helping other sportsmen accomplish their outdoor dreams of bagging elk, mule deer, white-tailed deer and/or turkey or catching salmon.

QUESTION: Scott, what's life as a turkey guide like?

ANSWER: I personally find it a little more exciting than deer hunting because the turkeys are more vocal. Too, you get to chase them a little and move around quite a bit. You're more involved with the hunters because it's more one-on-one instead of just dropping the hunters off and picking them up like we do during deer season. During a turkey hunt, you're sitting right beside the hunter. You get to enjoy the turkey's coming in and doing all his antics of strutting and gobbling. Turkey hunting is a lot like elk hunting.

QUESTION: Do you actually do the calling most of the time when you hunt turkeys with a client?

ANSWER: Yes, we guides call for most of the hunters. Usually we ask them if they need any assistance. If they say no, we still try to critique what they do and what we do, too.

QUESTION: So you try to help them get their birds?

ANSWER: That's the whole picture. You're out there to show the hunter where the property lines are, and hopefully you know where the turkeys are traveling.

To contact White Oak Plantation, call or write the lodge at (334)727-9258, or 5215 County Road 10, Tuskegee, AL 36083.

TOMORROW: SALMON GUIDING IN ALASKA AND ELK GUIDING IN WYOMING

Check back each day this week for more from Preston Pittman...

Day 1 - Getting Started As A Hunting Guide
Day 2 - A Year In The Life Of A Migrant Guide
Day 3 - A Typical Day For A Deer Guide
Day 4 - Life As A Turkey Guide
Day 5 - Salmon Guiding In Alaska And Elk Guiding In Wyoming

John's Journal