The outdated saying, “Time flies once you’re having enjoyable,” rings very true for Ohio’s Gallia County Longbeards NWTF Chapter, because the chapter held its annual youth turkey hunt for the twenty fifth time this 12 months in Gallipolis, Ohio.
However for Mark Baldwin and the numerous passionate volunteers of the native NWTF chapter, internet hosting the hunt 12 months after 12 months is as a lot about enjoyable as it’s the preservation of our looking heritage.
“The children are my motivation,” mentioned Baldwin, who has been a volunteer of the Gallia County Longbeards for over twenty years. “I get extra of a thrill seeing a child kill a turkey than looking myself, or watching their faces gentle up after they hear that first gobble. We’re blessed to be part of this yearly.”
With the occasion occurring for 1 / 4 of a century, the volunteers of the Gallia County Longbeards have witnessed the success of the occasion all through time: making turkey looking a perennial exercise within the individuals’ lives.
“We’ve had quite a few children from our occasion develop out of the occasion (individuals should be 17 or youthful), however then they arrive and assist mentor the youthful hunters,” Baldwin mentioned. “We aren’t solely passing on the custom of turkey looking, however we’re passing on the custom of passing on the custom. That’s what it’s all about.”
This 12 months’s occasion — held April 12-13 — was one other one for the books, with 59 youth individuals happening a guided turkey hunt. Twenty-four turkeys had been harvested, eight of which had been harvested by hunters who’ve by no means killed a turkey.
However turkey looking is half of the enjoyable for youth on the two-day occasion. Younger hunters additionally get to hitch in calling contests, studying/security seminars from Ohio Division of Wildlife officers, entice capturing and prize raffles, amongst rather more.
“We offer night meals for everybody each days of the occasion,” Baldwin mentioned. “We additionally give prizes to the highest three winners of our calling contests in two age teams and to the highest 4 turkeys harvested, in response to the NWTF measurement scale. Earlier than we go away on Saturday night, we give door prizes to each participant, from shotguns to something associated to the outside.”
“The Gallia County Longbeards have created one thing actually particular in southeast Ohio,” mentioned Shawn Dicky, NWTF regional director. “Chapters like this are why the NWTF mission to preserve the wild turkey and protect our looking heritage is alive and properly.”
All through the occasion’s historical past, youth from throughout Ohio have heard their first turkey gobble, have discovered the best way to turkey name, have harvested their first fowl and have discovered the significance of sharing the expertise with others. The native chapter desires to make sure this occasion stays a staple in southeast Ohio.
“Our aim is that ten years from now, the subsequent technology is internet hosting this occasion for the native youth and carrying the torch,” Baldwin mentioned.
Baldwin additionally famous the significance of the mother and father and grandparents who carry their children, the guides, the volunteers and committee members, native enterprise and the ODW.
“This occasion wouldn’t be potential with out them,” he mentioned.
Established in 1981, the NWTF’s JAKES program is devoted to informing, educating and involving youths 17 and youthful in wildlife conservation and the clever stewardship of our pure sources. JAKES occasions assist go on the traditions of accountable looking, and train the rules of habitat administration, looking ethics and security, similar to the Gallia County Longbeards Chapter’s annual youth hunt.
For $10 a 12 months, JAKES obtain a 12 months subscription to JAKES Nation journal (4 points), an opportunity to win a hunt of a lifetime and a membership card.
Along with JAKES Day occasions, NWTF chapters throughout the nation host varied occasions that have interaction youth within the open air, together with mentored hunts for a wide range of sport species.
The NWTF has devoted workers, volunteers and companions in search of to introduce nonhunters to the out of doors way of life and to share within the better conservation story.
Study how one can become involved as a volunteer with the NWTF, or search for an upcoming JAKES occasion in your space.
