KENTUCKY NWTF

NEWSROOM

____________________________

To:          NWTF Local Chapter Presidents

From:     NWTF KY State Chapter Superfund Committee, and NWTF Regional Biologist Jadd Campbell

Subject:  “Call for Proposals” for Habitat and Hunting Heritage Projects.

Dear Chapter Presidents,

This letter is to inform you and your local chapters of a recent change in KY State Superfund Procedure regarding “non” five star allocations and requests.  At the KY State Chapter Board Meeting held on May 16^th 2010, the Board approved that a “Call for Proposals” Guidelines and “Project Proposal Form” be put into place effective July 1^st 2010.

The Kentucky State Chapter would like to see dollars raised be awarded to quality habitat conservation and hunting heritage projects that ensure mission success and accountability for dollars raised.  Thus, the committee has decided to ask for “Proposals” and will be ranking submitted projects according to guidelines that assure the state chapter and all NWTF members the best possible projects are being funded and monies are being spent wisely across the state.

Please take the time to familiarize yourself with the complete “Call for Proposals” Guidelines, and “Project Proposal Form” which can be found and printed off from the KY State NWTF website at www.kentuckynwtf.com.  Should you be developing a local habitat project with your NWTF chapter and local partners and have further questions regarding the proposal process, feel free to contact your NWTF Regional Biologist, Jadd Campbell via email at jcampbell@nwtf.net or by phone (270) 275-9073.

Thank you for all that you do to ensure the success and mission of the National Wild Turkey Federation.

CLICK HERE FOR A COPY OF THIS LETTER

CLICK HERE FOR THE PROPOSAL GUIDELINES

CLICK HERE FOR THE SUPERFUND PROJECT PROPOSAL FORM

The Little Sandy Chapter of the NWTF

Present the Fourth Annual

Camp Robert C.Webb

What:    A gathering of disabled and able-bodied persons for a weekend of whitetail deer hunting

Where:  Camp Robert C. Webb, Camp Webb Road, Grayson Lake, Carter County, Kentucky

When:   October 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, 2010

Participants will be teamed-up with a guide who will assist them while hunting.

Little Sandy Limbhangers Chapter and other volunteers will provide

Meals , transportation at the park, blinds and firearms, if needed.

• Friday Night Social – October 1, 2010.  Doors open at 6:00pm for registration.

• No charge for hunters’ meals.

• There is no charge for any disabled hunter to attend this event.

• Participants will be paired with a guide who will assist them while hunting.

• All State of Kentucky hunting regulations apply.

      Please note: Hunters may stay at Camp Webb free of charge for this event.

• Attention! Participating applicants will be selected by a random lottery selection.

If selected, the Little Sandy Limbhangers Chapter will contact you with additional information.

**Must be received by August 1, 2010**

Please send completed, Pre-registration /Release Waiver and Hunters Profile to:

Little Sandy NWTF Chapter

                                                    Phillip Coldiron

                                                 Event Coordinator

                                              285 Mockingbird Lane

                                                 Irvin, KY 40336

502-229-4128

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD INFO

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD FORMS

CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE INFO!

Kincaid Longspurs Fourth Annual Youth Turkey Hunt was a Great Success

The Kincaid Longspurs held its Annual Turkey Hunt on Saturday, April 3, 2010.  Twenty-two youths participated, ages 15 and under, from several of the surrounding communities.  The youths were matched with experienced turkey hunters the day before the event, at a gathering held at Can-tuc’s Primitive Weapons Club in Bracken County.  The experienced hunters had the opportunity to meet with the parents and youths in preparation for the next day's hunt.  The youths were educated about what to expect while hunting, firearm safety, shot placement, laws and turkey decoy set-up. 

Saturday morning, paired with their guide, the youths spread throughout Pendleton, Campbell and Bracken County farms in an attempt to experience the thrills of harvesting a wild turkey.  It was a successful day for 8 of the youth hunters who met back at the sportsmen's club with prized turkeys.

The Kincaid Longspurs is the Pendleton County Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation. The organization is dedicated to the promotion of conservation and preservation of our country's hunting heritage.

The generosity and participation of over 150 donors and sponsoring supporters, as well as 200 attendees at the Kincaid Longspurs Banquet held each February, allowed the organization to fund the event.  The generous landowners who extended the use of their land helped to make the youths' hunting experience a great success.  The event was co-sponsored by the National Wild Turkey Federation and the Kentucky Conservation Officers Association.  

Heartland Chapter Holds 2^nd Annual

Eddie Carter Memorial Youth Turkey Hunt

By Lynn Shagool – Member of Heartland Chapter

The Heartland Chapter held its 2^ND annual Eddie Carter Memorial Youth turkey Hunt early this April.  Eddie Carter, who was remembered as a turkey hunting fanatic NWTF member and volunteer of the Heartland Chapter, passed away in March of 2009, and the Heartland Chapter committee decided to dedicate its inaugural and successive youth spring turkey hunts to his memory.  Approximately 38 JAKES members, their guides, and 15 Heartland Chapter committee members took part in this year’s hunt.

The JAKES event started on Friday evening, with a get acquainted cookout at the home of David and Cindy Gibson.  Youth hunters, without guides and property to hunt, were pared with an adult guide with access to turkey hunting property.  The youth hunters were also given the opportunity, and encouraged, to practice shooting their shotguns at paper turkey targets in preparation for the following morning’s hunt.  The hunters, and their guides, were also treated to drawings for hunting accessories, including game calls, camo caps, pocket knives, gear bags and a pop-up blind.

Following Saturday morning’s hunt, the youth hunters, and their guides, returned to the Gibson property for lunch.  The hunters shared their hunting stories, and successful hunters showed off their birds.  Group photos were taken and more drawings were held for six youth model shotguns.  Two of the youngsters, who were fortunate enough to be drawn for a gun, but who already had their own guns, unselfishly gave their guns to less fortunate youths who did not already have guns.  We were blown away by the generosity displayed by these kids, who at such a young age were already demonstrating such fine adult characteristics and the true spirit of the NWTF.

Though the harvest numbers were down somewhat compared to the 2009 youth turkey hunt, at least 3 hunters were successful and two of the hunters tagged their first ever wild turkeys.  All three birds harvested were mature gobblers.  Congratulations were extended to Destiny Tharpe (first turkey), Ethan Smith (first turkey), and Josh Sheroan for their successful hunts, and all hunters were reminded that the “kill” was not the most important aspect of the event.  Their participation and enjoyment of the turkey hunting experience was just as important.

Thank you to David and Cindy Gibson for hosting the JAKES event again this year.  Thanks also to the Heartland Chapter committee members, KY. Dept. of Fish & Wildlife Conservation Officers who assisted with the event, and a special thank you to Jim and Gwen Eubanks, who acquired and donated most of the hunting accessories which were given away during the drawings.

But, most of all, thanks to the youth hunters and their guides for their participation and continuing the spring turkey hunting tradition.  Eddie would have wanted it that way!

Locals Participate in Record-breaking Youth Turkey Season

By Mary Free-Phelps, Twin Lakes Chapter

Camp Loucon was bustling with children’s laughter and veteran hunting stories the Easter weekend as the Twin Lakes Area Youth-Only Beard Bash settled into their annual event. The Twin Lakes Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation sponsored the event that allowed area youth the opportunity to take part in the spring turkey season on a one-on-one guided hunt Saturday, April 3.

Twenty-seven participants made their way to Camp Loucon on Friday evening, thanks to their families. New friendships were made as soon as they met and another memorable event was underway. Volunteers from across the state came to help as coordinators, guides, and cooks! “This event is unique not only in size, but mostly because it is 100% free to everyone. Lodging and all meals are provided, not to mention a good time!” said Sam Coffey, co-coordinator of the local NWTF JAKES events.

JAKES is the NWTF program for youth and stands for: Juniors Acquiring Knowledge Ethics and Sportsmanship. The Twin Lakes event certainly provides an opportunity for the kids to stick to that motto. Friday evening after dinner Kentucky Conservation Officer Steve Nelson addressed all attendees about the laws and ethics associated with hunting. He went out of his way to make sure everyone understood the logic behind the laws and that everyone abided by them.

The youth participants and some adult volunteers stayed overnight at Camp Loucon in the Orchard cabin area and awoke on Saturday morning to a home cooked breakfast of sausage and biscuits & gravy. The other adult volunteers and guides arrived at camp Saturday morning around 4:30am to pick up their hunting partner and head to the fields. The morning hunt proved to be perfect, despite the rain! When they returned to camp for lunch participants were welcomed by 6 successful hunters!

After a catered lunch of BBQ and pork chops, all of the hunting pairs without a morning kill departed for the woods and fields again. Those left in camp began to get anxious as dark approached. When everyone had returned to camp for dinner, only 1 more turkey had been harvested. Participants were picked up by their parents after dinner and everyone involved is already looking forward to the next event!

Successful hunters were: Kennedy Nelson, Kyler Cannon, Dillon Mahurin, Brady Johns, Merv Miller, Matthew Hogan, and Charlie Rafferty.

The Twin Lakes Area Youth-Only Beard Bash committee would like to thank all of the sponsors, volunteers, participants, and parents that helped with the 2010 event. We are looking forward to many years to come and will advertise the 2011 dates as soon as they are available.

This event was proudly sponsored by Flambeau Outdoors, Realtree Outdoors, Kentucky Afield & Tim Farmer, Lost River Game Calls, Conservation Officers Association, area individuals, and the National Wild Turkey Federation.

Little Shepherd Chapter Litter Pickup

By Richard Brown, President - Little Shepherd Chapter

On Tuesday, April 13, 2010, members of the Little Shepherd Chapter picked up trash along the Little Shepherd Trail.  This group is very active in attempting to protect the environment and wildlife, as well as promoting our local youth.  Utilizing money earned from picking up litter, we have committed to help purchase a wireless camera to be used by Letcher County agencies in an effort to prosecute people who litter our highways.  This group encourages other organizations to donate to this worthwhile cause.  Several cameras placed throughout the county would help deter people from throwing trash out their windows, as they would never know if they were being filmed.  Members participating in the litter pick-up were Glenn Brown, Raymond Brown, Leonard Fleming, Jerry Barker, Bob Ison, Dale Brown and Richard Brown.  This group is in the process of organizing a free day of fishing for children in our areas, as well as a picnic.  The date of this event is tentatively scheduled for Saturday, June 5, 2010.  Anyone interested in helping, or donating to this event, can call Richard Brown, President of the Little Shepherd Chapter @ 633-0475 or Ray Brown @ 633-9548.

2009 Turkey Hunters Care Program

Kentucky Chapters that Made a Difference for Families in Need

By Kim Passeretti, State Secretary

Kentucky Chapters stepped up to help less fortunate families in their areas by offering warm smiles and hearty meals this past Christmas season.  Through the Turkey Hunters Care program, local Kentucky chapters raised funds to provide 537 turkeys to families in their areas during the two weeks before Christmas.  The Turkey Hunter Care program is an example of NWTF volunteers doing little things for people to make them smile during the holidays.  With so many people without jobs, generous local donors reached into their pockets and pulled out hope for their neighbors in need.  The Turkey Hunters Care program is a great way for NWTF’s committed volunteers to help families in need during some of the most celebrated holidays of the year.  Thank you to the following chapters who made a difference for families in need in 2009:

Bernheim Chapter (30 Turkeys)

Buffalo Trace Chapter (18 Turkeys)

Central Kentucky Chapter (15 Turkeys)

Double Eagle Chapter (25 Turkeys)

Heartland Chapter (12 Turkeys)

Kentucky’s First Ladies Chapters (8 Turkeys)

Levisa Fork Wild Turkey Chapter (25 Turkeys)

Lincoln Area Longbeards Chapter (30 Turkeys)

Longbeards of the Commonwealth Chapter (30 Turkeys)

Patrick Henry Chapter (10 Turkeys)

Salt River Strutters (18 Turkeys)

Shelley Nickell Chapter (50 Turkeys)

Southwest Spurs Chapter (140 Turkeys)

Stateline Strutters (80 Turkeys)

Twin Lakes Chapter (16 Turkeys)

Wilderness Trail Chapter (30 Turkeys)

 2010 McLean County Youth Turkey Hunt

By Tracey Bell

Despite a rainy forecast, youth and adults gathered together for food, fellowship, and a chance to bag a big gobbler.  Hunters, parents, guides and volunteers gathered at the Kentucky Dept. of Fish & Wildlife office, at 5:00 a.m., for breakfast before heading out to the field.  A strong wind and pouring rain made conditions tough in the early morning, but later gave way to sunshine.

Logan Vaught had success early by harvesting a nice jake with help from his dad, Kevin Vaught.  The rest of the group gathered back together for hamburgers, hotdogs, and a chance to dry out for a while.  Some of the hunters took advantage of the lunch break to shoot their shotguns and gain some confidence.  With full stomachs, and lots of sunshine, most of the hunters headed back out to field in the early afternoon.

I would like to thank the landowners that allowed up the opportunity to hunt on their properties.  This event could not have taken place without their generosity.  I also want to thank the Kentucky Conservation Officer’s Association for providing the food for this event, the McLean County Strutters NWTF Chapter for sponsoring the advertisements and providing guides and places to hunt, the McLean County Archery Club for providing guides and places to hunt, Tim Abney for providing his grill, and Michael Kinney and Jeremy Shiflet for serving as cooks.

Dear NWTF Supporter,

Spring is in the air and that means NOW is the time to begin turning your land into that wildlife paradise you’ve always wanted! Using the NWTF’s 2010 Project HELP (Habitat Enhancement Land Program) spring catalog, you can find just about everything it takes to attract wild turkeys, white-tailed deer, upland game and more.

Tree Seedlings and Wildlife Shrubs

With winter winding down, RIGHT NOW soil and moisture conditions are ideal for planting tree and shrub seedlings, which will provide valuable food and cover for both game and non-game species on your property. From oaks to apples, chestnuts to berries, Project HELP has plenty of mast-producing seedlings from which to choose.

Turkey Gold Chufa

Hands down, the NUMBER ONE attractant for wild turkeys is the NWTF’s Turkey Gold Chufa. Chufa is a nutsedge-type grass that produces tubers beneath the soil that are relished by wild turkeys, ducks and other wildlife. As a general rule, chufa will grow anywhere where corn will grow and it needs only 90 to 100 frost-free days to mature. Supplies are limited, so order NOW to guarantee delivery.

Strut and Rut Superblend Mixes

If you want to attract more wild turkeys and whitetails to your property then stock up on the NWTF’s Strut and Rut Superblend Mixes. The mixes are loaded with varieties of clovers and grass mixes for food plots that are like candy to turkeys and deer. The new, native, warm-season grasses have been requested by many NWTF members because they provide critical brood and nesting habitat for turkeys, quail and other birds.

Remember that RIGHT NOW, conditions are perfect to turn your property into a hunting hot spot. Everything you need is a mouse click away in the NWTF’s 2010 Project HELP spring catalog. Good luck and happy hunting!

-Team NWTF