Tenth Legion, Tom Kelly

Tenth Legion is one of the best and most hilarious books I have ever read about turkey hunting.  “Many people who hunt turkeys do so with an attention to detail, a regard for strategy, tactics, and operations, and a disregard for personal comfort and convenience that ranks second only to war. As for all cultists, it never occurs to them that they may be anachronisms. Supremely unconscious of the rest of the world, blind and deaf to logic and reason, they walk along their different roads in step to the music of their different drums.”

Col. Tom Kelly is a native of Alabama. Kelly entered Alabama Polytechnic Institute (API—now Auburn University) to study forestry, his education was interrupted by a tour of duty in the U.S. Navy as an aerial gunner until 1946. In 1949, Kelly graduated with a bachelor's degree in Forestry from API. Two years later, he again served in the military, this time as an artillery officer in the U.S. Army in Korea. Upon his return from Korea, Kelly worked several jobs in forestry, including a position with the Tennessee Valley Authority. He took a position with the Scott Paper Company in Mobile in 1953 and would work there for the next 40 years. He was appointed the company's Manager of Woodlands in 1978.

 In 1973 he wrote a classic book about the unique subculture of Turkey Hunting comparing the tactics and dedication of the sport to the famous Roman Legion, thus the title, “Tenth Legion”.  Kelly is a masterful story teller and his delivery is flawless.  When reading Tenth Legion I am reminded of Robert Ruark’s book The Old Man and the Boy. It is full of Southern colloquialisms and the stores are delivered with a witty, comical banter.  I believe this literature will be especially enjoyable to anyone who is part of or knows people that are part of the subculture of turkey hunting which can easily turn into an obsession as much as a passion.  The book can also be greatly appreciated by people that are attuned to traditions of Southern Culture especially in the twentieth century, Kelly is unapologetically Southern and a “man’s man” kind of character, as such he may be offensive to the politically correct sect or people who are offended by “toxic masculinity.” 

The following quote is an example of his humous musings:

“Not that it is the only yardstick of comparison but turkey hunting as a cult does have substantial advantages over chasing girls. To adjust a quotation from a Lord Chesterfield, not only is the position not nearly so ridiculous but the expense is not so damnable. The pleasure is much less fleeting, and high on the list of its principal advantages is that a gentleman may discuss his conquests afterward.”

 I highly recommend this book, it is a short read, and will be especially entertaining to anyone who has spent their Spring days in the hardwoods bottoms chasing long beards!