I know that most people think that working in the outdoor industry is the ultimate job with all the flash and shine, but I want to tell you it is extremely hard work. The drive and self-motivation that is needed to be successful is beyond most people’s comprehension. The long hours and sacrifice affects both family and friends. Keith is one of the few that has the qualities needed to be a pro and balance a healthy family life. Keith has a good friend named Chris Parish that has poured some of his talent and skill into Keith. Chris is also a Knight & Hale Ultimate Hunting Team member who has made it to the top.
Keith has been an outdoorsman nearly all of his life. He began turkey hunting in 1977, but due to the learning process of trial and error, he didn’t harvest his first bird until 1980. As his turkey hunting skills increased so did his passion for turkey calling. Keith began competition calling in 1979 and scored his first victory in 1980 at the Gateway Open held in St. Louis. From there his career was well underway. He placed in or won countless contests. Included in these were: Gateway Open Champ, Missouri State Friction Champ, and placed in the World Friction Contest. Just this past year he won the Missouri State Calling Contest and placed second in the Mid-America Open.
Though his name is associated with turkeys most of the time, he is no stranger to big whitetails. In fact, this past season Keith was lucky enough to harvest two Pope and Young bucks. One of the bucks won first place in a pro level competition deer hunt that I put on in Illinois. Ten well-qualified industry hunters competed in a four day competition that Keith won representing the Knight & Hale Ultimate Hunting Team. Chris Parrish got this hunt on film and it will be aired on Summits High Places television show. Not a bad season!
A good friend of mine, Jason Brooks, an outdoor writer, Keith and I went on a turkey hunt last spring that Jason guided for us, Keith showed us his true colors on the hunt. I was the cameraman and got very sick on the first night. Everyone was pumped for the hunt and I did not want to spoil our first hunting trip together. Jason and I appointed Keith to call the shots. Now Keith knew the extent of my pain and he had to strut his stuff because Jason and I would both tell the real story no matter what. Keith pushed hard running and gunning. The birds were cooperating nicely. I think Keith was enjoying my pain, no matter that his eye was on the prize.
It was the last day in the last hour of the hunt and we were set up on a bird that was ready to be shot. I could not take the pain any longer so I gave the camera to Jason to film the kill. The truck was just parked two hills away so I told them to have fun, I would meet them at the truck and go to the doctor when they were done.
Jason and Keith headed around the hill to get set up for the big old Tom while I headed to the truck. One hill to go and I could lie down. At the top of the hill there was a herd of cows with this ornery bull in the mix. I was in way too much pain to walk around that old bull so I started to walk right through the middle very slowly, as not to provoke him. I was fortunate that the whole herd ran out of my way and I got that needed rest.
About an hour later Jason and Keith got to the truck and I was ready to get some help. Keith started to tell the story about how they were set up on that big Tom just thirty five yards away when from out of nowhere a herd of cows ran right between them and the old Tom. They could not believe their luck. Suddenly my pain went away for a moment of laughter.
Keith is a rising star and his ethics and integrity makes it a privilege to know him. This is just a slight little look into his life and he is awarded our MVP AWARD OF EXCELLENCE. Keep up the good work and thanks. I also want to thank Jason Brooks for helping put this story together.
Article by: MVP Staff & Jason Brooks
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