I always enjoy attending the Dixie Deer Classic. The show is held annually at the NC State Fairgrounds and usually occurs the first weekend in March. It is perfect timing because the NC deer season has been over for a few months and spring turkey season is right around the corner.
The intended audience includes hunters and outdoors enthusiasts, but the show has a little something for everyone including: food, exhibits, seminars, outfitters, meet & greets, firearm dealers, and all sorts of outdoors gear. They also have an annual Turkey Calling Competition and a Call Maker Competition.
Of course, they always have the popular Whitetail Trophy showcase. The showcase proves to me that there are some massive deer in North Carolina, but for some reason they never tend to show up when I am in the woods!
It has also become an annual tradition for me to visit David Halloran with David Halloran Turkey Calls. David began experimenting with turkey calls at the age of 12 and has since mastered the art of making all types of calls, from easy to run pot calls to some absolutely beautiful & great sounding box calls.
My first turkey harvest occurred when a fired up gobbler came running towards me when using David Hollaran’s “Metal Mouth” pot call. Last year, I called in a turkey from a distance that I thought was impossible with one of his Parquet Checkered short box calls. I wish I could say that ended with a harvest, but while the call did it’s job, I failed to do mine!
This year, I was able to pick up two of David’s newest calls, the “Metal Mouth II” pot call and the Macassar Ebony/Black Limba box call. Both pieces are works of art, seem to be easy to run, and sound great.
Lastly, I finally decided pick up a Ghost Blind for use in the woods during turkey and deer season this year. If you are not familiar with their product, check out their website. In short, it is a blind that uses reflective technology to mimic the environment around you. Does it work? I have no clue. It does look promising though and I will provide a full review after I have some time with it in the field.
Thanks for reading…Rob