“I am really starting to get fired up,” Paula Collins said with giddy pre-season excitement. In her petite hands she cradled a new slate turkey call her husband Tom had just bought for his wife of 12 years.

I couldn’t help but laugh. Her small hands looked soft with nails painted perfect. It was in stark contrast to the familiar thick, dirt-stained hands that I normally see holding these types of calls. It was a pleasant and unexpected surprise from the stereotypical sportsman.

“When the season starts I’ll head to the woods,” explained Paula, pointing out the back door of their rural Cass County home.

“I think I’ve created a monster,” laughed her husband.

Although Paula has come close, she has not yet taken a bird.

“This year will be different,” she said with an air of confidence.

Russiaville’s Terry Guy is another female who enjoys hunting wild turkeys. Unlike Paula, Guy has collected her first bird several years back while hunting with her husband Jeff in southern Indiana. She too is looking forward to this year’s season.

Over the past several years, women have been the fastest growing segment of the outdoor hunting community, with many choosing turkey hunting as their favorite outdoor pastime. There are several reasons why these wild birds are gaining the attention of our fairer sex.

Men and women alike get hooked on hunting wild turkeys because of the challenge they represent. Pitting skills against one of Indiana’s wariest game animals brings the most defeats and lessons in humility — and the highest rewards.

So why are large numbers of ladies becoming involved in an outdoor activity normally reserved for the most skilled? The comeback of our state’s wild turkey population has to be one reason. Once limited to a few birds which roamed a limited number of counties, wild turkeys can now be legally hunted in every Indiana county except one, with Henry being the only exception.

Another reason women are setting their sights on wild turkeys is because of their general size. For example, those who hunt larger animals, like deer, are often faced with the dilemma of retrieving their game from the field. The chore of field-dressing a big game animal then getting it out of the field is an arduous task which can put women, as well as men, at the mercy of others for help.

Although a mature gobbler can feel heavy if carried too far, it’s still a small task when compared to dragging a 200 pound buck back to your vehicle. A wild turkey is a game animal that any hunter can handle single handily, which in turn brings a stronger sense of self-accomplishment.

Women also possess special characteristics which make them good hunters. An eye for fine detail is a quality they are born with. This trait is invaluable when looking for the slightest movement among emerging spring time growth.

Although good talkers, most women are also great listeners. They are many times better than men in hearing distant gobbles and comprehending the direction of its origin.

One of the most important traits in becoming a successful hunter is patience. It just so happens that women have a built-in reserve of this virtue. Maybe it’s a feature acquired from rearing children … or dealing with irreverent husbands! Regardless, patience is a turkey hunter’s greatest asset.

Spring turkey hunting is tailored perfectly for women. It is simple — most ladies do not like being cold. Unlike our fall and winter seasons when Indiana weather can chill even the most well-fed and hardiest sportsman, our spring season can be downright beautiful. Mild temperatures, the sweet smell of new growth, redbuds and dogwoods in bloom are just a few of the season’s marvels.

Manufactures of turkey hunting equipment have also taken advantage of the influx and have set their own sights on female hunters. Using their husbands or boyfriends ill-fitting shotgun is a thing of the past. Many gun companies now produce scatterguns specifically designed for ladies.

A whole array of hunting apparel is now available for female hunters as well. Proper fitting clothing and footwear adds to the enjoyment of the outdoor experience while giving females the pride of having their very own equipment.

For the first time, Indiana will host a special youth wild turkey hunting season April 21-22. Children age 15 and younger can take part in this inaugural event when accompanied by a non-hunting adult. A license is not required for the adult member; however kids taking part must possess a valid hunting license and adhere to the legal tagging requirements. This spring’s regular turkey hunting season runs from April 25 to May 13.

Mother of All Morels Contest

Spring is one of our most celebrated seasons and with good reason. Many Hoosiers eagerly await prime open water fishing opportunities, wild turkey hunting, bird watching and witnessing nature come back to life. Our spring season also offers the once a year chance to find the much sought and succulent morel mushrooms.

Adding to this excitement, Kokomo’s WWKI radio station will again host its annual Mother of all Morels Contest.

“Let the fungus begin,” stated avid outdoorsman and prominent radio personality Kevin Burris, brainchild of the popular annual event.

The contest officially began last Thursday and is open to all probing morel maniacs and first timers. The contest will remain open until 5 p.m. on May 7. Participants can take their monster mushrooms to the radio station office, located at 519 N. Main St. in Kokomo, any weekday between the hours of 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The person who finds this year’s mega-mushroom will receive a $150 gift certificate from Bass and Bucks, dinner for two at the Foxes Den and a mushroom hunter gift pack compliments of Morelheaven.com. Second place will receive the dinner for two and gift pack. Third place winner will take home the gift pack.

“People need to be reminded to use mesh bags,” Burris added. “This way we can return the spores to the ground and help propagate next year’s growth of these tasty treats.”

Last year, Max “Whitey” Derck won the popular contest with a yellow sponge measuring nearly 16 inches in length.

John Martino is the Tribune’s outdoors columnist. He may be reached through the sports department at (765) 454-8574.