My wife has called me a "Scrooge," but I don't deserve that unsavory label. It's just that Christmas comes at such an inconvenient time, right on the heels of deer season. So, often the shopping and decorating wait until after the meat is butchered and the gear is put away. By then it's crunch time for Christmas gifts.

Fortunately, this year the task is an easy one, at least when it comes to the outdoor folks on my list. I like books and hope others do, too, because I tend to give books as gifts. For Christmas 2004 there are two outstanding books, both by Pennsylvania writers and both focusing on another celebrated outdoor obsession -- turkey hunting.

Turkey hunters always appreciate good information about their passion, but when they open Tom Fegely's latest offering, they are sure to be impressed. Fegely has gone beyond amassing a comprehensive guide to turkey hunting. A well-known writer, former outdoor editor for the Allentown Morning Call and former television personality has sharpened the focus and put together the ultimate guide to hunting turkeys in Pennsylvania. "A Guide to Hunting Pennsylvania Turkeys" is a 304-page feast of turkey hunting know-how, wild turkey biology and turkey conservation and management.

To liven up the text and provide different perspectives on the always unpredictable pursuit of wild turkeys, Fegely has spiced the book with concise contributions by more than 50 other well-known Pennsylvania turkey hunters. Outdoor writers Shirley Grenoble, Mike Bleech, Dave Ehrig, Bob Clark and Charlie Burchfield pitch in with some turkey hunting insights, as well as award-winning callers Greg Neumann and Matt Morrett.

One of the most impressive things about this ambitious work is that it tracks the significant and sometimes controversial changes that have taken place in the turkey-hunting world the past 50 years. Fegely discusses the failures and successes of wild turkey restoration, the growth of women's participation in turkey hunting, the ongoing campaign to reduce turkey hunting accidents, and the evolution of the Game Commission's fluorescent orange requirements.

Fegely also devotes a chapter to acknowledging the tireless work of the Pennsylvania Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation. Any hunter who reads Fegely's book not only will be a better equipped hunter, but will have a full appreciation for the sacrifice and commitment of volunteer conservationists, living in this state today, who made possible one of the greatest wildlife conservation accomplishments in history.

"A Guide to Hunting Pennsylvania Turkeys" is published by B&T Outdoor Enterprises, P.O. Box 986 Cherryville, Pa., 18035-0986. The book is available through the publisher for $16.95 ($3 off the $19.95 list price), plus 6 percent state sales tax for Pennsylvania residents and $4 shipping and handling. For two or more books add an additional $2 shipping and handling per book. Orders also can be made at www.fegelyoutdoors.com.

While Fegely's book offers knowledge and insight, Pittsburgh author Michael Marks' new book provides sheer viewing and reading pleasure. His "Neil Cost, Magic With Wood" is a stunningly beautiful photographic tribute to the unique and rare turkey calls crafted by Neil Cost.

Cost, deceased, was a South Carolina resident and is considered the pre-eminent turkey call maker of all time. His calls enjoy high demand from hunters and collectors. The call featured on Marks' cover sold on eBay for more than $11,000.

More than 320 of Cost's most historically important and collectible calls are featured in close-up color photographs, accompanied by text by Marks.

The 240-page, 11 by 8.5-inch hard-cover coffee table book has been issued in a limited first edition of only 1,500 copies.

"Neil Cost, Magic With Wood" is available for $85 per copy directly from Long Cane Press, P.O. Box 12624, Pittsburgh, 15241. Marks asks readers to visit www.longcanepress.com or call 412-257-8469 for order information or to request a brochure.