Mr. Carl Fox Haas, Mossy Oak’s “founding father” and a legend in the outdoors industry, will begin his 71st turkey season on Thursday, March 15th in his home state of Mississippi, where he will be accompanied by his son Toxey Haas and grandsons Neill an Daniel Haas.
“I don’t know if words can explain how I feel getting to turkey hunt another season,” said Mr. Fox. “Having Toxey and my grandsons take me hunting now, in the way that I used to take them hunting, is special to me. I am very proud of the men they have become.”
“Going on hunts with my Daddy has been one of my favorite things to do since I was a kid,” said Toxey Haas, founder and CEO of Mossy Oak. “Now, to see my boys making it a priority to hunt with their ‘Papaw’ has been extra-special to watch and live out.”
Last year, Mr. Fox was featured in Mossy Oak CAPTURE Productions’ video, “70 – Mr. Fox Haas’ 70th Turkey Season” where he was filmed killing a turkey for what completed his 70th successful season. The goal is to continue his streak to complete 70 successful years of filling his turkey tag. However, Mr. Fox puts into perspective what a lifetime in the outdoors means to him. The true message of the story is about his legacy and passion for the outdoors being passed down to his son and grandsons.
The obsession with turkey hunting for Mr. Fox started in 1945 when he called in and killed his first turkey. Since then, he has evolved exponentially as an outdoorsman and conservationist.
Mr. Fox has played a major role in the revitalization of the wild turkey population throughout the South. Around the year of 1975, he was part of a focused effort with the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks to rebuild the wild turkey population throughout northern Mississippi and the rest of the South. Through efforts of conservationists like Mr. Fox and other like-minded outdoorsmen and women, the now thriving wild turkey population throughout a large part of Northern Mississippi and western Alabama today can be traced directly back to the turkeys he and others released by hand back in the mid-1970’s.
Mr. Fox has several nicknames, depending on who is referring to him. His kids call him “Daddy,” and his grandkids call him, “Papaw.” Many Mossy Oak employees and citizens of West Point, Mississippi (Mossy Oak’s headquarters), call him “Papa Fox,” and the rest in the outdoor industry know him as “Mr. Fox.” He served as Mossy Oak’s CFO for a few years and still serves as the company’s CWO (Chief Wisdom Officer) to this day.
“He keeps the ship pointed in the right direction,” said Bill Sugg, Mossy Oak’s president.
The actions of Mr. Fox and the conservation legacy that he has helped build for thousands of outdoors men and women across the country is proof that he is a man with elite character that lets his actions speak for him. His motto, “The good that men do will live long after they’re gone,” sets the standard of excellence that everyone at Mossy Oak aspires for, personally and professionally.
