Turkey Shindig

[zelmo1]

What are the big preseason turkey gear/call shows? Not a lot up here in New England and I may attend one next year. I am getting itchy about retirement, lol. Thanks, Z

[runngun]

The one that I am going to next year will be UNICOI, held I believe January 12-13th. It's in Helen, Georgia. I have read about it forever right here on Old Gobbler. A buddy of mine, Ben Gentry has been, and he has told me how much he learned from other call makers. How everyone there is so super-friendly. Which is something that I would totally expect. Nowhere near as big as the NWTF convention, which is a good thing for me, I really don't like being in big crowds. They have several videos posted on YouTube if you are interested.

Have a good one, Bocephus

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[HookedonHooks]

Unicoi Call Maker's Show in Helen, Georgia at the Unicoi State Park Lodge is the premier turkey call show that features many of the best makers in the country and a couple turkey gear sellers. I'd recommend to get there early on the first day, because many call makers sell out before Saturday.

The NWTF Convention in Nashville is definitely the best show to attend if you're looking for more gear than calls, but there's plenty of calls around too. It's one of the largest sports show's and while not 100% turkey, that's the primary focus.

Both venues are a "must attend" at least once in every serious turkey hunter and callers time they spend on this earth. Both are very much worth the trip to at least see one time, but many find themselves going back annually. Being your wife hunts with you and is into calls as well, either location would be a suitable destination for the both of you. The NWTF convention and Nashville has a lot more to offer for someone that's bringing a spouse that has little interest in the festivities of the events. If you're looking for more of a family atmosphere, and a lot more campfire camaraderie of turkey tales, then Unicoi is most certainly the place to be. Helen offers small town vibes, and the State Park is far more scenic than Nashville, but Nashville offers a slough of bars and restaurants to choose from and a lot more options in general. I feel as if both options are nearly polar opposites, but both are incredible venues that have been brought together because of the wild turkey.

[zelmo1]

Thanks for the info. Is there any place I can find the dates? I checked the NWTF site but it isn't listed in the events section. Z

[HookedonHooks]

Thanks for the info. Is there any place I can find the dates? I checked the NWTF site but it isn't listed in the events section. Z

Unicoi is January 12th and 13th in 2024, and more info regarding the show gets posted to a Facebook page called "Unicoi Call Maker Show", and Mark sometimes updates info about the show here on OG as well.

The NWTF website hasn't updated a whole lot about the 2024 convention yet other than a brief paragraph mixed into all the 2023 info, but that is where it is located. The show floor will be open February 15-17th with events running from a dinner on the 14th to the final worship service Sunday morning on the 18th. There's usually a block within the Gaylord Opryland Hotel that is cheaper to rent out than their regular rooms,  but fills pretty quick.

[Tail Feathers]

Thanks for the info. Is there any place I can find the dates? I checked the NWTF site but it isn't listed in the events section. Z

It's always a Fri-Sun thing around Feb. 20th or so.  I went once, hope to go in Feb '24.  It's worth the trip to see all things turkey and hear the calling contests.
Plan ahead with lodging as soon as you find the dates.
It may start on Thur but mostly Fri and Sat are the big days and I prefer to do my shopping on Fridays before the sell out of stuff.

[skimerhorn]

From the northeast there's a good show in Harrisburg PA, the great american outdoor show. It's big and they have everything from outfitters to gear.

[Sir-diealot]

The Northeast Call Makers Summit at Turkey Trot Acres is the last weekend in August every year to the best of my knowledge. The smaller more homie type of fealing than the big shows which I have no interest in.

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[vt35mag]

What are the big preseason turkey gear/call shows? Not a lot up here in New England and I may attend one next year. I am getting itchy about retirement, lol. Thanks, Z

Turkey Trot on 8/25 in Candor, NY
Not big, but a good time close to us up here in NE

I like going to see Watkins, Lapp and Ezolt (EZ)

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[zelmo1]

I need to get out a little more, lol. Talking the better half into a little travel next year. Z

[Tnandy]

NWTF Convention falls the second full week of February if i memory is correct. I think it almost always falls the week of Valentines. That way if you go, you can bring the miss back something nice after you have spent an arm and a leg, and you might not get run off. LOL

[aclawrence]

It would be nice to have something closer to the fall to go to. I guess most people are switching gears at that point for deer season.


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[Spring Creek Calls]

I think you'd enjoy this one Z. Here's the lineup of callmakers from a couple years ago and I'm sure most are still attending.

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[Sir-diealot]

I think you'd enjoy this one Z. Here's the lineup of callmakers from a couple years ago and I'm sure most are still attending.

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It's a good time and I enjoyed meeting members there, even if they didn't enjoy meeting me.

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[zelmo1]

That looks like my kind of peeps  :funnyturkey Z