Talking turkey is what Michael Waddell is all about and he admits it.
“I love talking about turkey hunting and hunting in general. I’ve been working with the National Wild Turkey Federation for a long time and I love these local events,” Waddell told the Register in a telephone interview Wednesday.
Waddell, a renowned turkey hunter, will be the featured speaker at the third annual Kansas First Upland Pioneers’ National Wild Turkey Federation banquet and auction. The banquet and auction are June 6 at Iola Community Building in Riverside Park.
Tickets for the event are $50 per person or $60 per couple. Tickets are available at Westside Bait Shop, Iola Pharmacy and Shield’s Barber Shop.
Doors open at 5 p.m. and the meal is at 6:30 p.m. That is followed by the auction.
“It’s just cool to be hanging out with fans of our television shows or just hunters. It’s like family. I really enjoy traveling around and meeting people who love hunting and wildlife like I do. The NWTF is also about conservation of wildlife and habitat and those are so important,” Waddell said.
Waddell won the NWTF’s Grand America Turkey Calling Contest sponsored by Realtree Camo. He said from there he had the opportunity to guide and film hunts.
“That turned into the opportunity move into the production side. I began filming for Realtree and learning about TV production,” Waddell said.
Waddell stepped from behind the camera to be a part of several Realtree television shows starting with “Realtree Road Trips.”
Waddell now hosts Realtree’s “Bone Collector” series on The Outdoor Channel.
“I love the Midwest so much that I bought property in the western Kansas to hunt on,” said the Georgia-born Waddell.
“A lot of wildlife thrive in the Kansas habitat. I definitely love hunting turkeys but to be able to bring down a huge whitetail trophy buck is a great feeling. You have that opportunity for both in Kansas. There’s quail and pheasant also in Kansas.”
Waddell said he was excited about coming to Iola next week to “meet and greet” people who enjoy the hunting culture. He said the NWTF events present a great way to raise funds for and awareness about wildlife habitat plus awareness of the hunting industry.
