Gene Denton has enjoyed, worked for turkeys for decades

CLARKSVILLE Turkeys are a way of life for Gene Denton of Clarksville. He's been an avid turkey hunter nearly all his life, and he's worked for years locally, regionally and nationally on improving habitat and other phases of the American turkeys.

He joined the National Wild Turkey Federation in 1975, not long after the organization was founded, and became a member of its board of directors in 1980. He has played a key role in the growth of NWTF into a major and effective conservation organization. Denton and NWTF have been instrumental in a number of Arkansas habitat improvement and expansion projects.

Denton joins the late Carl Hunter of Alexander and Marion McCollum of Stuttgart as 2008 inductees into the Arkansas Outdoor Hall of Fame. The annual Outdoor Hall of Fame banquet and fund raising will be Friday, Sept. 5, at Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock.

It is understandable that the Denton home just outside Clarksville has a turkey motif.

Denton grew up in the Little Rock vicinity in the era when turkeys were scarce. But enough were in Arkansas' woods that they fueled a challenging pursuit for hunters. The stories abounded, too, of turkey chases and frustrations for past generations of outdoors people.

Turkey hunters have to call in a gobbler to get a shot, and Denton learned this necessity early. There are several different types of turkey calls in addition to a few hunters who do it with voice alone. He has tried all the types and still uses more than one, depending on the situation.

Denton said, "I started off when I was young just using a piece of slate and a wood peg." He explained that this is a simple method, but like the other types, it takes practice and close attention to produce a noise closely resembling a hen turkey in the woods.

After Marine Corps service, Denton went into electrical work, traveling to many parts of the nation on industrial and distribution system projects. He also became extensively involved in electrical workers union activities.

In 1975 Denton heard of a new organization called the National Wild Turkey Federation, and he liked its approach to the conservation and habitat issues associated with wildlife. Turkeys were improving in Arkansas with restocking work going strong.

Five years later, Denton was asked to serve on the NWTF's board of directors, and he's been a part of it since. Step by step, on small projects and on large campaigns, NWTF has made significant impacts on turkeys and especially their habitat all across North America.

Denton has been heavily involved in three major programs for the turkey federation - the JAKES program for young people, the Women in the Outdoors program and the Wheeling program for handicapped persons.

Through it all, Denton remains a fervent turkey hunter, looking forward to the challenges each season. He's a highly competent turkey caller, but something else is more necessary, he said. "Calling comes second. Knowing turkeys is more important. You have to know what a turkey is likely to do in different situations to be a good hunter."

For more information and tickets to the Outdoor Hall of Fame banquet, phone Steve Smith or Wendy Glover at 501-223-6396.