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NEWSROOM
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Trigg County Longspurs Chapter Hosted "The Wounded Warrior Turkey Hunt" By Pat Williams, State Chapter Board Member
Members of the Trigg County Longspurs Chapter and the Shelley Nickell Chapter served as guides and film crews were provided by Knight & Hale, NSSP Lyon County Chapter, and Southern Outdoors. Harold Knight and David Hale were also in attendance for this event. Many thanks go to all the great volunteers who made this event a huge success. Please read the following submitted article for event details and special awards presented.
Wounded Warrior By Tammy Guess, Independent Reporter Permission to Reprint Granted by Herald Ledger Editor & Tammy Guess
When you mention a “Wounded Warrior” what is the first thing that comes to mind? A week ago I would have thought of maybe an old western movie made up of cowboys and Indians, but my eyes were really opened as to the true meaning of a Wounded Warrior
I was fortunate enough to have been invited to participate in a Wounded Warrior turkey hunt on April 15th. This hunt was one of the most spectacular days in the outdoors that I have ever spent, and all I carried along was a camera, but when I left I carried much more appreciation in my heart for our military.
These “Wounded Warriors” were our own American Soldiers that have been injured unselfishly fighting for our country.
Wounded Warriors is a Warrior Transition Battalion from Ft. Campbell that helps reintroduce injured soldiers back into the realm of everyday life and, if possible, back into his unit or another job that the soldier is capable of doing.
When contacted by Bryon Kelly, an operations and training specialist from Ft Campbell (also a wounded veteran), Wayne Shadden got the ball rolling and contacted Jim and Pat Williams, (Jim is a NWTF District Director and KY State vice president, he and his wife Pat are both board members), along with Mike Shelton, Kerry and Mike Underhill of Donaldson Creek Outfitters, and J. L. Hendricks, a Trigg County NWTF Vietnam Veteran, (just to name a few of the volunteers), put together a day of turkey hunting in Kentucky to remember for nine young men that had been wounded in battle.
The soldiers were greeted at 4:30 A.M. with a big country breakfast soon followed by more volunteers than the room could hold. There were forty plus volunteers on hand, some cooked, some guided, but all were eager to help with whatever was needed, as well as others who graciously donated gifts for each of the soldiers.
Knight and Hale, of course, gave each a turkey call, presented by Jim Strelec, and were there to show their support, Donaldson Creek Outfitters gave each soldier a nice hunting jacket and cap embroidered with their names and Warrior Transition Unit First Annual Turkey Hunt 2008. The embroidery was donated by G and S Embroidery, limited edition knives and each a Bible small enough to carry with them everywhere they go was provided by the Trigg County Chapter NWTF.
But the gift that brought tears and large lumps in their throats to not only the soldiers’ eyes but to many bystanders was the NWTF gifts, pins of honor, certificates of appreciation and, foremost, an oil painting of a turkey hunter kneeling giving thanks over his harvest with a battle ready soldier carrying the American Flag standing in the mist behind him. This painting was so appropriate for this occasion; these guys will treasure Jack Paluh’s “Gifts of Freedom” painting for many generations. These words were written on the print: “We thank Thee Lord for the many gifts you have bestowed upon this Nation and offer a moment of prayer for our bountiful land and the right to harvest its many resources. We thank Thee Lord for our service men and women who courageously continue to protect and defend our unalienable rights, for many have given their lives that our nation might live”
Speaking of generations, Kyle Finley, a twenty-two year old third generation veteran himself, also wounded in action, was there to volunteer along with his grandfather. The stories the grandfather told me were priceless. He had tears in his eyes as he expressed his feelings, as well as pride busting through his chest as he told how proud of his “Wounded Warrior” that he was.
Each soldier had a story to tell, not one was bitter, not one had any regrets, and not one went away from that hunt without thanking each volunteer a dozen times over.
As far as the turkey hunting that morning was cold and frosty, evidently the turkeys thought so as well, not one was harvested although Bryan Price showed us all his rendition of missing a turkey from his wheelchair. He had a smile on his face a mile wide as he told how, of all things, an Army chopper flying over spooked his gobbler and he had to take a shot at it running.
The soldier that Kyle and I were with had a field full of cows attack the decoys, but he was happy just to be able to be outside hunting regardless of not getting a turkey.
As one story after another unfolded from each group, every soldier was laughing and joking with everyone that was there; they had a look of peace in their eyes that we all won’t soon forget.
Lyon County’s NSSP (National Scholastic Sportsmen’s Program) Chapter captured every moment on film, from the pre-dawn hunt to late afternoon interviews. Knight and Hale and Southern Outdoors also had camera crews participate. Hopefully, if any of you are fortunate enough to get to watch one of these videos, you will see what I am trying to get across on paper. I cannot express enough how special that day was to many people.
One soldier gave a heartfelt speech after receiving the gifts. He tearfully stated that they were not there for the gifts, they were not there for sympathy, they were there because God chose to let them live to be able to hunt another year.
After the appreciation ceremony, the huge lunch that included Miss Pat’s homemade banana pudding, the interviews, the turkey tales, some went home, but most stayed to take their hunters out again. Derek Park was sure glad he stayed because he had to wait a while, but after calling that turkey over five-hundred yards out he got to take home a trophy gobbler.
Even though Derek was the only hunter to harvest a bird, I know in my heart that the rest of the soldiers and the volunteers went home with the day’s events embedded in their memories forever.
We, that were there, may or may not ever see these particular soldiers again, but we won’t soon forget their sincere thankfulness and I, for one, walked away with a new outlook on life. After looking into a true warrior’s face that had to look back at me with sunglasses covering his injured eyes, made me vow never to complain about my little aches and pains ever again.
Mike Shelton and Jim Williams tell me that plans for next year’s “Wounded Warrior” turkey hunt are already in the making. Mike stated that he hopes to make this an annual event for Donaldson Creek Outfitters.
If, by chance, any of you want to get involved with taking a soldier hunting or fishing, the opportunities are there, all you have to do is contact Mr. Bryon Kelly at Ft. Campbell. This hunt was put together in two weeks. It started with a simple phone call; Trigg County’s NWTF and Donaldson Creek Outfitters did it, so can other organizations. They all told me that it wasn’t any trouble at all and were so glad to partake in taking a soldier on a dream hunt.
I know that I have probably left some important role players in this hunt out, and for that I apologize, but most that I talked with didn’t want any recognition at all for their efforts, the genuine “Thank you sir” from the soldiers was more than enough.
We here on American soil will never know just what these young men have been through, nor can we understand the impact that fighting in a war has had on their young lives, but we as American Citizens owe all of our armed forces a real big “THANK YOU”
The following Wounded Warriors participated in the Trigg County Hunt: Derek Park, Aaron Brant, Travis Burchett, Bryan Price, Glenn Gentles, Todd Shaw, Michael Collins, Ronnie Gullion and Bryon Kelly.
Twenty-One Youths Participate in Twin Lakes Chapter's Jakes Turkey Hunt By Mary Free-Phelps - Twin Lakes
It was an early rise Saturday morning for a big hearty breakfast prepared by chapter members. Guides arrived at Camp Loucon to take their participants to local private properties to hunt. Participants had a very successful morning. Everyone arrived back at camp for lunch to find three harvested gobblers and a coyote.
We had a great cook-out for lunch and had a photo session of all the successful hunters, guides, and a group photo of all participants. We also had a taxidermy demonstration presented by Jim Purcell of Caneyville. Jim showed the participants how to make a turkey tail fan display.
Participants and guides left for the field, again, around 1:30 PM to enjoy the afternoon turkey hunt. They arrived back at camp between 6:00 – 8:00 PM. The evening hunt produced two more harvested gobblers. All returned to camp to meet with parents and enjoy a wild game feast prepared by Twin Lakes Chapter members. Successful hunters were: Jeremy Cook - harvested a gobbler with a 10” beard, guided by Nick Stone; Kyler Cannon - harvested a gobbler with a 9” beard, guided by Aaron Haycraft; Matthew Hogan - harvested a gobbler with an 8” beard and also harvested a coyote, guided by Aaron Vanmeter in the morning hunt. Successful hunters during the afternoon hunt were: Seth Beatty - harvesting a gobbler with a 10” beard, guided by Sam Coffey; and Chase Coffey - harvested a gobbler with a 10.5” beard, guided by Mossy Oak Pro-staffer Anthony Brown.
All other participants attending this event were: Aaron Means, JJ Kiper, Jesse Bahn, Mikey Bahn, Jade Johnson, Catie Higbee, Jordan Mercer, Anthony Gribbons, Jarred Talley, Sam Barczak, TJ Wood, Wyatt Higbee, Tyler Dunham, Shane Beatty, Lance Giovenco, and Kyle Stone.
Guides for this event were: James “Buck” Hale, Rick Rickenbach, Aaron Haycraft, Aaron Vanmeter, Randy Phelps, Mary Phelps, Sam Coffey, Hope Coffey, Dennis Coates, Kelly Stewart, Donald Fillback, Donnie Carroll, Ryan Bratcher, Bob Higbee, Nick Stone, Anthony Brown, Jonathan Turner, Joe Brown, Devon Durall, and Jason Kid.
We really appreciate Camp Loucon for accommodating us this weekend. Special thanks to Anthony Brown, Jonathan Turner, Joe Brown of Mossy Oak, and Devon Durall and Jason Kid of Down and Dirty Outdoors, for volunteering to guide and video the turkey hunts.
ATTENTION: ALL KENTUCKY TURKEY CALL MAKERS!
The Kentucky State Chapter is in the process of putting together a collection of turkey calls either made in Kentucky, or made for Kentucky chapters, that will be donated for auction at the 2009 NWTF Convention and Sports Show in Nashville, TN. If you are interested in helping us by donating one of your calls, you may contact me at jlwilliams@ispcorp.com or willpk@vci.net; by phone at (270) 395-1280 (days) or (270) 388-9406 (evenings); or write me at P.O. Box 331 - Eddyville, KY 42038.
We are planning on having a curio cabinet with glass shelves and lighting made to display these calls in. Cabinet, calls and all will be on the auction block at the 2009 convention. Chapters that have had a call made for their chapter that they can donate, will be a good advertisement for their chapter and will add to the collection. Calls made specifically for the convention should have "2009 Convention" engraved on them. For more information or questions, please contact Jim Williams at the above contacts.
CLICK HERE FOR REGISTRATION FORM
Sleep in the Deep July 26th July 27th, 2008 We will meet at the Main entrance to the Tennessee Aquarium at 6:00pm on Saturday - May 31, 2008. During the course of the evening we will enjoy behind the scenes tours, aquatic educational programs, dinner, the IMAX theatre and all the fun of the aquarium. Sometime around 11:00pm, we will bed down under a canopy of sharks, stingrays or any array of the beautiful fish that live at the aquarium. Our wake-up call will come at 7:00am along with breakfast and the morning program. The event will wrap up around 8:30am on Sunday - June 1, 2008. During the evening, we will have a silent auction and raffle games to benefit the WITO program; as always, we accept all major credit cards. Plus the Aquarium gift shop will be available for souvenir purchases.
Ladies under age 17 must
have a participating guardian at the event. You will need to bring your
sleeping bag, pillow and comfy clothes for sleeping. If you want caffeine
in the am, please bring change for the machine. Snacks will be provided
along with bottled water and juice.
Please send your form and payment to: Women in the Outdoors 305 Meadowview Drive Harriman, Tennessee 37748 Or fax with credit card info to 865-882-8302 Attention – TN AQ Event.CLICK HERE FOR REGISTRATION FORM
Dear Women in the Outdoors Enthusiast!
Celebrate the Women in the Outdoors 10th anniversary by attending our national event September 25-28, 2008. The Wild Turkey Center in Edgefield, SC is the place for you and your friends to Learn, Laugh and Lighten Up, the theme of what promises to be one of the most exciting outdoor get-togethers you'll ever attend!
Classes that will be offered: Candle making, Air Rifles, Archery, ATV Safety, Trailer Handling, Deer Hunting, Outdoor Optics, Dutch Oven Cooking, Feather Craft, Fly Fishing, Kayaking, Canoeing, Handguns, Backyard Habitat, Muzzle loading, Map and Compass, Photo Safari.
While the outdoor fun takes place at the Wild Turkey Campus in Edgefield, you'll be staying in nearby Augusta, GA, at the Marriott and Suites. The registration fee for this National Event is $300 and covers lodging, meals, transportation to and from the airport, and to all weekend activities.
We want to thank you for your commitment to the Women in the Outdoors program by treating you to a wonderful weekend at our National Event. You'll also have the chance to meet other women who share your love of the great outdoors. If you have never attended a National Event before, you are definitely in for a good time? The energy and level of excitement cannot be explained. . . . .it must be experienced? We hope you'll join us for the Learn, Laugh and Lighten Up 10th Anniversary Celebration.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION AND REGISTRATION FORM |
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On April 15, 2008, the Trigg County Longspurs Chapter, the Donaldson Creek
Outfitters and the Christian Outdoorsman group sponsored an NWTF Wheelin'
Sportsman event called "The Wounded Warrior Turkey Hunt" in Trigg County.
The hunters are soldiers from Fort Campbell (Kentucky) and members of the
Wounded Warrior Transition Battalion. This group was organized by
Byron L. Kelly, Operations and Training Specialist, Ft. Campbell.
The Twin Lakes Chapter held
their annual JAKES Turkey Hunting event during Kentucky’s youth turkey
season. Participants and some of the guides met at Camp Loucon on Friday
night. Chapter members held a cook-out, had a bonfire, and roasted
marshmallows for smores. 
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