Turkey hunting has always been about more than filling a tag. It’s about the conservation work happening behind the scenes, and the traditions that connect generations of hunters to the land.
This spring in Missouri, that spirit was on full display as Gregg Ritz of T/C Arms & Hunt Masters joined forces with Dr. Patrick Wightman and David Gladkowski of the National Wild Turkey Federation, Courtney Green of MTN OPS, Jeremiah Doughty of Field to Plate, WildComm’s VP of Sales Chris O’Hara, social media hunting influencers Hunter Gambale, Roy Holford, and talented videographers Adrian Stutzman, Justin Mueller and Spencer Murray for an unforgettable long weekend in the Missouri turkey woods.
The hunt brought together a unique group of passionate outdoorsmen and women, all united by a shared appreciation for conservation, hunting heritage, and the future of wild turkey populations across the country. At the center of it all was the new T/C Arms Turkey Shotgun, purpose-built for the modern turkey hunter and put to the test in the demanding hardwood ridges and rolling fields of Missouri.
This hunt was a reminder of what makes turkey hunting so special – and challenging.
Every morning started long before daylight with hunters scattered across the property as gobbles echoed through the timber. There’s a certain electricity to spring turkey season, one that never fades no matter how many seasons you’ve spent chasing longbeards.
Throughout the hunt, the NWTF’s conservation mission remained front and center. The organization’s work to protect habitat, improve nesting environments, and preserve hunting access has played a massive role in the resurgence of the wild turkey nationwide. Hunts like this are more than just an opportunity to harvest birds, they’re a celebration of the conservation model that makes these experiences possible.
One of the highlights of the week was watching the new T/C Arms Turkey Shotguns perform in real-world conditions.
From quick setups against big timber to tight encounters in creek bottoms, the shotguns proved reliable, maneuverable, and deadly effective when the moment of truth arrived. Every successful hunt reinforced what the T/C team set out to build: a shotgun designed specifically for serious turkey hunters who demand reliability and performance.
Keeping camp running strong all week was Courtney Green of MTN OPS, who made sure the crew stayed fueled from the first gobble to the last mile back to camp. Between the new freeze-dried MTN OPS MEALS, Electrolytes, Energy Drinks, and Supplements, hunters were able to stay focused and energized through the long days and even longer mornings that turkey season demands. Whether it was a quick breakfast before daylight or recovery after covering miles of Missouri ridges, the MTN OPS products became part of the daily routine in camp.
Chef Jeremiah Doughty of Field to Plate added another unforgettable element to the experience. Every evening, camp came alive around the table as Jeremiah prepared incredible meals and reminded everyone that hunting doesn’t end with the harvest. His passion for wild game cooking and conservation perfectly matched the spirit of the week; honoring the animal, the land, and the people gathered together to share the experience.
As the week unfolded, the hunt delivered its fair share of challenges.
Birds hung up, weather shifted, and opportunities came and went. But that’s turkey hunting. Success is never guaranteed, which makes every victory that much sweeter. No moment captured that better than influencer Hunter Gamble finally tagging a bird on the second-to-last day of the hunt. After grinding through tough mornings and staying persistent all week, everything finally came together in a moment nobody in camp will soon forget. The celebration afterward wasn’t just about the turkey, it was about perseverance, teamwork, and the emotional highs that only hunting can provide.
By the end of the week, it was clear the experience had become about far more than a filled tag. It was about conservation. It was about friendship. It was about sharing camp with passionate people who care deeply about the future of hunting and the outdoors.
Subscribe and Watch the hunt on T/C Arms YouTube.
