It was one of the “must have” items at this year’s NWTF Convention according to the hot-off-the-presses article I read prior to entering the exhibit hall and, as a result, now standing slack-jawed while surveying row upon row of exhibitors and gear, I added a stop at the Chêne booth to my list of destinations.
This specific “it” was a turkey vest, the Deception Turkey Vest to be exact, and it was Chêne’s big entry into turkey hunting gear. I had seen it on the company’s Instagram page in the days leading up to the show.
I had also seen reviews by several of my favorite turkey hunters on social media, such as husband-and-wife duo Slade Johnston (@sladejohnston) and Macy Watkins Johnston (@macywatkinsjohnston).
Of the nine items listed as “gear you don’t want to miss at NWTF,” four were turkey vests, including a Mossy Oak JAKES vest that I was certain was sure to be a show favorite.
Other items on the list included Marsupial’s Multipack in Mossy Oak Full Foliage, Lacrosse’s new lightweight Burly Aero boots, and the ever-popular ALPS OutdoorZ NWTF turkey hunting chair, available this year in Mossy Oak Greenleaf.
Turkey hunting spouses please take note, if you have any upcoming birthdays, anniversaries, or special occasions, any of these items should bring a smile to your turkey hunter’s face.
Clearly, vests were a focus for the convention this year which makes perfect sense for me as a “vest guy.” I don’t go hunting without mine which I consider, along with my shotgun and turkey calls, a necessity in the turkey woods.
Over the course of the day, I came across several other items that made their way onto my list of “must haves,” including a David Halloran long box and a Marsupial binocular chest pack.
Finally, I found myself standing in the Chêne booth holding the prize of my quest, the Deception turkey vest. My first thought as I held the Bottomland-covered beauty was that it didn’t disappoint.
It was well designed, not a pocket or zipper out of place. I envisioned myself walking along a wood’s road on a sunny and cool spring morning, giant longbeard hanging over my shoulder on my turkey strap, all my calls and essential gear arranged perfectly within the vest.
As I stood there, turning the vest in my hands and exploring each nook and cranny, I felt–à la J.R.R. Tolkien–almost Gollum-like. The “precious” felt like mine, it felt like I needed it. Who was I kidding? It was mine!
It also felt like I was cheating. What about my old vest? That thought snapped me out of my trance, and I quickly hung the vest back on the display and walked posthaste from the booth, having no chance to fling my tempter into the fires of Mt. Doom.
“You should be ashamed,” I thought as I made my way down the aisle to rejoin my friends. “Think of all you’ve been through together,” I thought as I walked, “season after season, that vest has never let you down.”
I bought my current vest, a Mossy Oak Super Elite 3, back in 2010. The cushion in the seat of my vest at the time had zero padding left and with an upcoming trip to hunt Osceolas in Florida’s South Zone, I deemed it time for an upgrade.
Billy “Pop” Hull would be along with me on this trip south to the land of the “Seminole Wind.” Furthermore, this trip would be special as, if we were successful, Pop would complete the coveted Grand Slam of wild turkey hunting.
Since it was a special occasion, I bought matching pants and a shirt to go along with the vest, all in Mossy Oak’s New Bottomland pattern and none of which I could probably afford at the time. “Oh well, a special trip calls for a special purchase,” I reasoned as I walked out of the Mossy Oak store in West Point with a smile on my face.
The lucky vest delivered on that trip as Pop claimed his trophy Osceola on the second morning of the hunt, a morning that proved to be one of the coldest of our lives with temps dipping into the upper 20s. It was the definition of “unseasonably cold,” but we both felt warm and toasty after Pop finished his Slam.
Since that spring morning in 2010, the vest (I call him “Russell” as Russell Athletic made much of Mossy Oak’s apparel at the time) has been my trusty companion on every turkey hunt I’ve made. Hunts in Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Texas and South Dakota.
Along the way, we’ve walked countless miles together and made too many memories to count. What was I thinking? How could I abandon someone that has done so much for me? How could I ditch Russell?
That night after the convention while enjoying a bourbon with friends Jamie Thomas and Jerry Beck back at Beck’s home in Glen, Mississippi, another reality began to sink in. Russell was no longer a spring chicken. He was no poult.
He couldn’t continue to put in the hard miles, day after day, season after season and be expected to last. The wear and tear of the morning-upon-morning grind that is turkey season would eventually catch up with him and take its toll. Russell needed help. This seasoned veteran wasn’t ready to be benched; he just needed a little help in the lineup.
Fortunately, one text the next morning to good friend and outfitter Steve Brown who was exhibiting at the convention was all it took to set operation “Chêne Vest” back into motion. Within minutes of the convention doors opening, Steve’s wife Krist had secured a new blue-chip rookie for my bullpen this turkey season.
KB told me that the young lady who helped her check out was from Clarksdale and went to Mississippi State. “It’s like we are supporting the new generation,” she said. It gave me a warm feeling inside, and I must admit the vest is super cool. Heck, standing here modeling it in the mirror I think it makes me look 25 years younger. I feel like a turkey hunting hipster.
I haven’t shown Russell yet. I hope he understands.
Until next time, here’s to the old school and the new, here’s to the pursuits that fuel our passions, and here’s to seeing you out there in our great outdoors.