Hills Of Truxton

Question:: What inspired you to write the book?

Author: There were number of things that inspired me to take that step of writing a book. One of my main motivations was the enjoyment of my time spent in the forests and fields in pursuit of spring & fall turkeys. I spend a lot of time in the woods for both spring and fall seasons. I enjoy many hunts with my wife, and many other fellow turkey hunters.

Question: From your preface & bio, I see you have been turkey hunting for a while. What made you decide that now was the time to publish a book?

Author: True, I have been at it for over 13 years now, and that may seem a lot to some. Many of whom I have hunted with have been at it for more than 25 & 30 years. Turkey hunters can tell tales as well as any good fisherman, and I might suggest even better and taller tales at that! Over the years I wrote stories for online forums and the New York State Chapter NWTF newsletter. The idea of writing a book had been in the back of my mind for some time, and it was when I got a copy of Tim Herald's book "Gobblers I have Known", I knew that it was time to do it.

Question: What makes your book different from other turkey hunting books?

Author: I wrote this book in a similar way that Tim Herald did, in that it was about experiences that I had and those shared with others over the many seasons. Many books are "how to" books, and there are plenty of those. My attempts were not only to recollect those experiences but to retell them as you would hear them in hunting camp, corner store coffee shop, or just running into a fellow hunter on a back road. There are some ramblings and opinions about things such as wild turkey records, National Wild Turkey Federation, and a little on equipment. These diversions are limited and the focus is on the hunts themselves and those I hunted with. Many of the chapters in the book are about hunts with friends, and gobblers that were never tagged, or still out smarting local hunters to this day.

Question: You mention the National Wild Turkey Federation, what is that?

Author: The National Wild Turkey Federation is a conservation organization that I've been very involved with over the years. I began as a volunteer in 1995, served as a director on the New York State Chapter from 1996 to 2005, and as State Chapter President from 2000 to 2004. They do a lot, and the volunteers are the best in the world. It has been and still is a privilege to work with such great conservation volunteers.

Question: The book features a lot of photos, and illustrations, who are the artist(s)?

Author: The photos are from those who were there during those great moments, and some I took. I use to freelance many years ago. There is a list of who took what photos in the back of the book. The illustrations are by Amanda Morris and they are a really great collection of impressions by Amanda. There will be prints and other art products coming soon from those illustrations.

Question: How long did it take to the write the book? You did the book design as well?

Author: Some of the stories I wrote a few years ago. Once I made the decision to actually write a book, it took a little over 5 months including the formatting and cover design. I was familiar with the software tools required to create the book. The cover photo is actually a view of our property, and where many of the hunts take place. Microsoft word was used for the inside copy, along with Adobe PageMaker for the cover design. Corel Photo-Paint & Microsoft Photo Editor was also used for most of the picture formatting.

Question: What can we expect next?

Author: I am finishing up marketing materials and setting up for book signings and shows to be at. Once supporting the book is underway, I will concentrate on another project I have in mind, actually there are three more possibilities, but I will concentrate on just the next one for now. My wife and I are planning to build a home, and that will take up much of our free time. We both have very busy careers, and that makes for a full day.

Question: What offerings will there be, and where can they be purchased?

Author: The book is now out in trade paperback, and will be available in laminated hardcover mid-June. I am also looking at a limited leather bound edition for collectors. The first printing for my personal order is 120 copies in paperback, and that will also be done with hardcover version. Each of those will be signed and numbered. The books are available online thru: booksurge.com, alibris.com, abebooks.com, and amazon.com.

Question: Anything for your readers?

Author: Yes, I hope that they find the book a pleasurable read. It was written to recall what I remember the most of those days in the woods. I think most of the readers will identify with one hunt or another as all of us as turkey hunters share a common humility when pursuing gobblers. To look back and put it all into perspective has been a great outcome of writing the book.