And the Golden Jake Award goes to our very own....

[redbeard]

RHINO! For his never ending desire to introduce the sport of wild turkey hunting to newcomers and for his unselfish attitude in taking the wariest bird in all the land, I, Redbeard, in part for his generosity in giving a vest just like mine to my son Will, present to one fine fellow, "The Golden Jake Award". Below is a padauk slate over glass with a Longines-Symphonette 24K Gold Electro-plate (with a touch of gold leaf http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif) on sterling Wild Turkey coin, surrounded by crimped black leather. Slate is natural padauk with several hand rubbed coats of tung oil, topped with wood wax. Accompanying, the slate is peg number one, a young hen topped with a bone carved Rhinoceros, which I thought was more than appropriate when I came across the bone at the blade show. My daughter even added lucky turkey tracks leading right to "Rhino". Peg number two is a bloodwood peg for the old raspy hen. Along with this custom slate by Redbeard, is a Primos Super Slate for Rhino to present to his next youngster. A very easy starter slate that I still use today after 19 years of hunting the majestic wild turkey.

I hope you enjoy Rhino and whether it's suited best for the mantle or the woods, know your friendship is treasured. Your bud, Dean

http://www.realtree.com/img/597/medium/DCP_0871.JPG

[VermontHunter]

WOW !!! What a gesture on the behalf of redbeard way to go bud... http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

This award couldn't have gone to a more deserving individule...CONGRATS Rhino.... http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[Ohiobucks]

Way to go Dean and congrats Alan! You BOTH are a great contribution to the sport of turkey hunting!! http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[hobie]

Dean
That is great that you did this for him http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[buckee]

That is so cool Dean http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Congratulations Rhino http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[JimT]

http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[va_strutstopper]

congrats

[DSGB]

Congrats on your award Rhino! You're a good man, Redbeard!

[Squirrelhunter91]

Awesome looking slate! Congrats Rhino!

[snapper]

Very cool indeed! http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

[Addct2hntng]

congrats Rhino I agree rhino is a great person indeed was a pleasure being his team mate this year !!! he helped with any questions I had and gave me some good advice http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[NiteRunner]

Congratulations Rhino! Thats pretty cool redbeard!

[dogdoc]

that is awesome!

[James7xChamp3]

Dang Redbeard. Can't find the words! Very commendable,,,,but not surprising! A real nice thought and very nice work!

Congrats Rhino! Definitely something to treasure right there! Thanks to both of you for all you do for our great sport!

[redbeard]

Thanks fellas, now if Rhino will show up.........

[VermontHunter]

Hey if Rhino doesn't pop-up soon does that mean one of use runner ups get to accept his award in his place ????..... http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

[Rhino]

YOU DA MAM DEAN!!!!!! http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

I don't know what to say redbeard. Not often that I'm lost for words. A BIG THANKS for the call. I know you said you'd send me one but WOW!!!! That baby sure looks too purdy for the woods.

You know I'll enjoy it buddy and I sure treasure your friendship too. Your bud, Al

Maybe after I get over the http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif I'll be able to say how I really feel.

Oh and you can bet the farm I'll pass on the Primos Super Slate to the next youngun I introduce to turkey hunting. I'll do my best to make it bring in a gobbler for him too. I had to replace my Cody II slate call that I gave to the last youngster. http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

[JoshM]

CONGRATS RHINO!!

[PAhardwoods]

Man you a class act redbeard........congrats rhino and thanks for taking young people hunting


Cody

[too_pointer]

Two great " long beards " LOL. http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif These are things that make our site so special, thanks !!!!
too_pointer

[Rhino]

My goodness Dean......I'm still floored. I'm extremely thankful for your generosity. I still honestly don’t know what to say. Puts a lump in my throat and I'm a bit teary eyed right now. That call is absolutely beautiful. It’s even more special to me because it’s your hand made call and I understand the thoughtfulness behind the gift and why. I love the Rhinoceros touch on the peg too. That is so cool. It’s also special to know that your son had a hand in the craftsmanship too. I’ll cherish it till the day I die, which hopefully won't be until many more spring turkey seasons come and go. I sure hope you and your son get to spend many more years in the outdoors together both in the spring and in the fall. As you know, those days are extra special. I guess it’s no big secret how I feel about getting young hunters involved in any kind of hunting. They are the future of hunting and we older guys have had the privilege of experiencing the beauty and wonders of the great outdoors for years and share a special appreciation for it. Not to mention the passion many of us have for the total hunting experience. Turkey hunting has been a passion for me for many years. I never have grown tired of experiencing the beauty and wonders of the outdoors while spring turkey hunting. It's a special time to see everything come back to life, not to mention the excitement that a drumming and gobbling bird or 2 adds to the experience. Bowhunting whitetails is a close 2nd but I’m sure glad I’ll never have to make a choice between the two of them. I sure hope we get to share the turkey woods together someday.

BTW, I’ll have a surprise for you in a few months. I won’t tell you what it is but I’ll say it’s something that makes you realize why we hunt is more important than just about anything else. http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

[redbeard]

Please don't make my part out to be more than it is, there's more thought than talent in the call. Although, I believe it has a little turkey in it. It will be headin' to the great state of Mississippi tommorrow. And please don't recipricate, this is for you because of you. Thanks again friend and I too hope we can share the same woods chasin' an old three toed critter.

[Rhino]

Don't think of it as reciprocation at all. It's not that. You'll see. http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

BTW like they say, it's the thought that counts buddy and that's what makes it special.

[slaw]

You two guys are perfect examples why I keep coming back to this site. Kudos to both of you........you are the standard in which all members here are measured up to.

[wtnhunt]

Congratulations Rhino. Great gesture redbeard.

[Rhino]

[ QUOTE ]
You two guys are perfect examples why I keep coming back to this site. Kudos to both of you........you are the standard in which all members here are measured up to.

[/ QUOTE ]

Thanks for the kind words slaw. The main reason I'm here is to try to pass on a little turkey hunting experience in hopes that some of you won't repeat some of the mistakes I've made over the years. We each have a limited amount of close encounters with gobblers every spring so I hope each one of us can make the best out of each opportunity. I sincerely hope that everyone here can draw on the knowledge of each other to better their odds of putting a gobbler in their laps. There's a wealth of knowledge given away here from a lot of good turkey hunters. I won't go into names because I don't want to forget to mention anyone. The mods do a great job in here too and they willingly pass on a lot of valuable knowledge. BTW, I've learned some things in here myself from other member's too. You're never too old or too experienced to learn some new tricks. http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

[huntn4bucks]

That is a great gesture Dean. As you know, I too enjoy making turkey calls and enjoy sharing them with other people...it just makes turkey hunting that much more enjoyable.

Someday I must meet the legendary Redbeard. http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif