By Brenda Valentine
First Lady of Hunting®
February 26, 2010

For the second year in a row the National Wild Turkey Federation Convention and Sports Show has broken all previous attendance records. Over 45,000 outdoor enthusiasts roamed the elegant Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center in Nashville, Tennessee, February 18-21.

Big name entertainment, calling championships, and shop till you drop opportunities were the focus of many of the attendees, however, a lot of folks came to the convention to meet and get autographs of their favorite TV personalities and hunting pros as is evidenced by the long waiting lines.

Even the smallest hunters wanted their caps autographed.

This trio of ladies won several honors for their Women In The Outdoors's events plus they invited me to turkey hunt with them in Texas.

Once again, Michael Waddell and I hosted the Thursday evening Welcome Party and the Saturday night Awards Banquet.

Professional baseball pitcher Ryan Klesco offered advice and congratulations to jake Mcelroy, an up-and-coming baseball great.

Madam Chairman of the Board, Peggy Vallery, congratulates Ronnie (Cuz) Strickland, for receiving the Communicator of the Year award.

The entertainment was lively on Saturday night with Jeff Foxworthy and the Cleverlys on stage.

It's almost never that my family has a picture made when we aren't wearing camo or proudly posing with a buck or a gobbler.  This after-a-banquet photo is one of those rare times.
 
This is just an early sample of a few quick pix of the 43th annual convention. I'll have more about it in a few days.

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