Neil Brooks (right) was hunting with his buddy Travis Rivers when this nice gobbler came in from a long way out on a recent hunt in Franklin County. The bird had an 11-inch beard and 1.25-inch spurs, and weighed 18 pounds, which is not unusual for mature toms that have been running hard in the spring.
While growing up in rural Southern Oregon, Mark Taylor developed a passion for the outdoors while he and his younger brother tagged along with their father on fishing, hunting and camping adventures.
Graduating from Northwestern University in 1988, Taylor spent four years as an officer in the U.S. Navy based in Norfolk before moving into journalism.
After five years writing about the military for a Norfolk-based publishing company, he became the outdoors editor at The Roanoke Times in 1998. He lives in Roanoke with his wife and twin daughters.
Boys will be boys....I just don't know which is prettier....you or the bird!!
Comment by Lauren — May 13, 2009 @ 12:00 pm