About this episode

Laura Bates discusses her father's legacy in turkey hunting and the impact of his work, Tenth Legion.

Inside the Tenth Legion: Colonel Tom Kelly's Legacy with Laura Bates | 100% WILD Podcast Ep. 472 In this episode of the 100% WILD Podcast, Matt Drury and Tim Kjellesvik sit down with Laura Bates, the daughter of the legendary Colonel Tom Kelly. As the turkey hunting community celebrates the Colonel's 99th birthday, we dive deep into the origin of his masterpiece, Tenth Legion , and the brand-new "Bootleg Revival" Limited Editionrelease. Laura shares fascinating stories about the original 1974 unauthorized Xerox copies that fueled the book's underground fame and why it has earned a status comparable to a "religion" among Southern turkey hunters. The conversation explores the personal side of a pillar in the hunting world, detailing what it was like growing up in the Kelly household and the moment Laura realized her father was a cultural icon. We also get the Colonel's unfiltered take on modern turkey hunting trends, from his distaste for decoys to the "edgy" language that gave his writing its authentic flavor. Whether you are a long-time member of the "Tenth Legion" or a new hunter discovering the heritage of the turkey woods. 00:00:00 – Tim's Intro returns to the Bass Pro Shops…

People in this episode

Hosts: Matt Drury, Tim Kjellesvik

Guest: Laura Bates

Topics covered

• turkey hunting
• Colonel Tom Kelly
• Tenth Legion
• hunting legacy
• outdoor culture

Keywords

• turkey hunting
• Colonel Tom Kelly
• Tenth Legion
• Bootleg Revival
• hunting stories
• outdoor heritage
• NWTF

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: NWTF

Books & works: Tenth Legion, Bootleg Revival

More episodes of The 100% Wild Podcast

• Is It Legal? The Controversial Laws Threatening Thermal Drone Recovery | 100% WILD Podcast Ep. 476 · July 9, 2026 · 1h 6m
• The Outdoor Lifestyle of Josh & Jessica from Flatlanders TV | 100% WILD Podcast Ep. 475 · June 10, 2026 · 1h 17m
• This Revolutionary Cell Cam Tech Will Completely Change How You Scout | 100% WILD Podcast Ep. 474 · June 4, 2026 · 51 min
• Don't Plant Yet! Soil Health Secrets for Growing Giants | 100% WILD Podcast Ep. 473 · May 20, 2026 · 49 min
• Two Missouri Longbeards Down on Opening Day | 100% WILD Ep 471 · May 4, 2026 · 1h 2m

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the The 100% Wild Podcast podcast page.