The Hunter Spotlight Series | Shelby Jones

This week's spotlight takes us to Kentucky...where we introduce only our third outdoorswoman (we're doing better....I promise!), Miss Shelby.

By Cliff Cadet | Equalized Outdoors Newsroom

The Hunter Spotlight Series:

Full Name: Shelby Jones

Hometown: Columbia, KY

Shelby in a celebratory "grip and grin" with a doe harvest.

How long have you been hunting?

"Since I was a little girl! Around 7 or 8."

Who/What got you into it?

"My daddy!"

I took a little dive into your TikTok and Instagram accounts, and it looks like you're an avid turkey hunter. Is turkey hunting something you've always been interested in?

"I went on my first turkey hunt with my dad when I was a little girl and I’ve been hooked ever since. There’s something about fooling a tom turkey (one of our most elusive game animals) well enough to draw him 20-40 yards. Theres nothing like it!"

When it comes to turkey hunting what's your weapon of choice?

"Charles Daly, 335 Pump Field, 12 gauge, 24” Barrel in Mossy Oak Green Leaf Paired with a Vortex Viper Red Dot in Mossy Oak Bottomland."

What, if anything, has been the most challenging part of your hunting journey so far?

"Missed shots and missed opportunities...whether that be missing a bird in the field or having to work while watching a big bachelor group strut around on camera, or my target buck daylighting. It happens to everyone. But that’s just God having different plans for you that day."

Shelby with a nice Eastern

Do you have a favorite memory from the field?

"Absolutely.

"I had woken up late one morning during turkey season, realized, jumped out of bed, threw my camo on, and ran out the door. As I’m walking to the woods, I’m calling soft and there’s 2 Tom’s gobbling a good piece away. I get almost to the field where they like to hang around, one gobbles and it sounds like thunder cracking... this bird is no more than 60 yards away just over the wood line on the other side of the field.

"I dipped down in some tall grass at the edge of the field not ready whatsoever and two toms walked out in the field and came right to the last place they heard me call. About 8 yards ahead of me..I peeked over the grass and they’re just standing there gobbling in each other's faces...it was sick. I let them walk off back down into the woods a piece because I was in no position to make a shot. Once they got back down in the bottom they came out of, I moved to the edge of the field where they went down, set up a little Jake decoy right in the wood line beside a big tree where they could see it and hid behind that tree just sat there...no calling. They'd seen the decoy and I heard them walking back up (I couldn’t see them). Once I saw the first tom from where I was hiding, I pulled the trigger. Shot him at around 5 yards. That’s a memory I will always hold close to my heart!"

Earlier this year, you posted about learning how to trap. How important do you find it to be, to the turkey population on the property you hunt?

"Incredibly important if you want a good flock every year. Nest predators are one of the biggest reasons turkey populations show a decrease over the years. If a 'coon, possum, and/or skunk finds one nest...they’ll eat every egg. That’s a loss of around 10-14 turkeys. Not to mention the bobcats, coyotes, foxes preying on poults and adult turkeys. If you care about your turkey population the best thing you could do is buy a few DP’s (Dog Proof Traps), buy a few foot holds, and protect your flock."

I also peeped that you fish. Is that another outdoor passion? If yes, what do you enjoy to fish for most?

"Absolutely! I grew up an avid bass fisher. Although here recently, I’ve been trying to get more into multi species fishing on the rivers...targeting walleye, sauger, sturgeon, striper, hybrids, etc. My goal currently is to catch a Musky, and God willing that’ll happen this Fall/Winter."

What advice would you give to any women just starting out in the outdoors?

"Find a mentor...whether that be another woman you know who is an outdoorswoman, friend, boyfriend, husband, dad. If teaching yourself is your only option...that’s easier nowadays than it’s ever been with all the resources available!

"If you develop a passion for the outdoors, hunting, fishing, trapping you’ll never lose it and you’ll more than likely pass that down to the next generation. THIS is most important in today’s world. If you have any questions, feel free to send me a message. God Bless and Good Luck!

Miss Jones with a nice striped bass

And that is this week's Hunter Spotlight Series. Follow Shelby's outdoor adventures on Instagram @shelbyjpnesoutdoors and tiktok