A Star is Born
Turkey Boy, Zachary Hoover

Zach is the son of NTA member and president of the Kentucky Taxidermists Association, Doug Hoover. I saw him on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno and gave him a congratulatory phone call. Boy, can this young man call turkeys. Hope you enjoy reading about Zach and his adventure in California -- Editor

A boy, 15 turkeys, and a 5-gallon bucket turned bottom side up is how it all started.

Zachary Hoover is a 14-year old freshman from Ohio County High School in Kentucky sat on a 5-gallon bucket and taught himself how to call turkeys with his natural voice. The adventure of a lifetime began at Lexington, Kentucky at the Kentucky Taxidermy Association Convention and Competition. Two of the regional directors of the National Wild Turkey Federation, Joe Bland and Pat Cardin heard Zach calling turkey and couldn't believe he could call and even gobble without using a mouthpiece. About a year later the producers of the Tonight Show with Jay Leno sent letters to the NWTF asking for kids that could call turkeys and to send in videos. Pat Cardin contacted Zach. The video was made, mailed in and basically forgotten about.

Zach and his family had just returned from hunting elk in Colorado where he and his dad harvested two beautiful 5x5 elk. (Please note that Zach's 5x5 was larger than his dads.) Zach then received a telephone call from Steve Ridgeway, the producer of the Tonight Show. Zach Hoover and his family were going to Los Angeles, California to be a guest of the Tonight Show with Jay Leno.

The flight was great. The stewardess on the flight made Zach call for everybody on the plane and he got to visit with the captain in the cockpit. Zach along with his mom and dad were chauffeured all over town in Lincoln Town Cars. On Thanksgiving Day they ate with the crew of the Tonight Show and Jay Leno. Man, what a meal they had -- prime rib, sea bass, stuffed chicken, and that was just for starters.

During rehearsal they asked Zach how he learned to call turkeys. He explained that his dad Doug was president of the KTA and he had live turkeys for reference when mounting competition pieces. The producers then wanted to know more about what taxidermy was -- "stuffin things.' Zach said, "NO! TAXIDERMIST'S TURN WILDLIFE INTO A WORK OF ART!" The producers loved this answer.

The show lasted from 4:00 pm to 6 pm and was very entertaining. On Friday, NBC sent Zach and his family to Universal Studios. A worker recognized Zach and carried on like you thought she would have if it had been John Wayne. Zach was taken into the office and he called turkeys for the crew at Universal Studios. "Look everybody, it's the Turkey Boy from the Tonight Show." Universal Studios then gave Zach and his parents V.I.P. passes through the entire park. This was first-class treatment.

Saturday there was time to spare so the Hoover's went swimming at the break of dawn, it was 50 degrees outside but the water was very warm. While swimming a lady from the hotel cam out to swim and recognized Zach. "You are the Turkey Boy from the Tonight Show."

Zach has picked up the nickname Turkey Boy pretty much at home now too. He calls constantly, and at times it does get annoying for his parents, especially when he's in the shower and it sounds like two Tom's fighting. His dad keeps encouraging him and tells him to keep practicing. Zach loves hunting and taxidermy. He always takes a competition piece to the KTA Convention and Competition. His first NTA show was in Columbia, Missouri in 1996 and he received a 2nd place ribbon on a squirrel in the youth division.

A special thank you and congratulations to Doug Hoover and his wife for sharing their love for taxidermy and wildlife with Zach. Good kids aren't just born they are raised. Zach has good parents and is well deserving of the accolades that he has received. He is inspiring and has distinguished himself as a champion for taxidermists. Zach, you have made us proud. Thank you on behalf of the National Taxidermists Association. -- Editor