Patience and Perseverance Pays Off for Mary

Twin Lakes Chapter member, and Kentucky State WITO Volunteer Coordinator, Mary Free-Phelps harvested this gobbler on April 20, 2008, on her farm in Grayson County.  According to Mary, she normally takes her first of two gobblers on opening day, but this year was quite different.  Thanks to Mary's patience and perseverance, she now has one down and is working on getting her second gobbler before season's end.  This gobbler weighed 19 pounds, had a beard length of 10-1/4", and spurs measuring 5/8" and 3/4".  Good work, Mary!

Spike Wastes No Time On Opening Day!

South Central Kentucky Chapter President Spike Harmon wasted no time bagging this bird on opening day at 7:18 am in Barren County.  This gobbler weighed in at 21.5 pounds, had a 10-1/4" beard and 1" spurs.  As Spike said, "It should eat real good.  One down, one to go!"

Congratulations on the gobbler, Spike!

Allie Scores Big During Her Last Youth Hunt!

On April 5th, 2008, Campbell County JAKES member Allie Rawlings was sitting atop an open ridge with her dad and friend Ashley Hyden, who was tagging along on her first ever turkey hunt as a spectator.  Allie's dad Phil Rawlings (KY/TN Field Supervisor), noticed a trio of two jakes and a nice adult gobbler about 200 yards off.  As Phil called to the three in a hazy fog, the two jakes responded immediately by turning towards the hunters.  With a sense of urgency, the adult gobbler decided to beat the two jakes to the raspy hen calls made by Phil, and ran in the direction of the three hunters. With his beard swinging from side to side, he slowed his approach at about 30 yards. As he came to a complete stop, Allie had her 12-Gauge Winchester 1300, with a Leupold scope, settled on the bird's waddle.  At the report of the gun (8:15 am),  the 20-pound gobbler made his last few living flops. This was Allie's last youth turkey hunt in Ky.  She is age 15, and next year, will be required to hunt during the adult spring season.  This is Allie's 4th spring turkey and the KY youth season has afforded her all of these opportunities afield with her dad. Pictured left to right: Ashley Hyden, the "gobbler" and Allie Rawlings. Gobbler stats: 20-pounds, 1-inch spurs and 10-inch paintbrush beard.  What a way to end your last youth hunt!

Nathan Hartsell Bags

2nd Deer of the Season!

Ken-Tenn Limbhangers JAKES member Nathan Hartsell (age 7-years), harvested this deer with one shot from a single shot 7mm08 in Hickman County on December 29, 2007, while hunting with his Dad Bryan (Kentucky State Chapter Treasurer).

Bryan stated that Nathan is starting to think that there is nothing to this deer hunting business, as he has had taken his first two deer in a grand total of 20 minutes of hunting.  According to Bryan, Nathan would love to see this posted on the Kentucky State Chapter Website.  Hey Nathan!  You and your deer are now on the world-wide web!  Congratulations on your successful deer season.

Trevor Richardson Takes 1st Deer!

Rockcastle County Longbeards JAKES member Trevor Richardson shot his first deer on November 11, 2007.  Hunting in Rockcastle County, Trevor and his Dad Tony Mahaffey (Rockcastle County Chapter President), Trevor made a great shot, having only an 18-inch tracking job, harvesting his first deer.

Father and son both had a great time hunting together.  "I was so glad to be able to guide Trevor", stated Tony, "But most of all, I'm glad to be his best buddy!"

All Alone and in the Stand. . .

Women in the Outdoors member Annie Wilson, started hunting a couple of years ago.  She is a regular participant and WITO and BOW events.  Annie harvested this 8-point, 120-pound buck while hunting in Boone County.  This was the first time she actually hunted without someone with her in the stand.  As she wrote, "You know the feeling.  He came down the hill and crossed a creek.  He stopped and looked at me, then just strolled up the side of the creek.  He turned around and looked at me again.  I wasn't going to move for anything.  When he came out of the creek bed, he stopped behind a tree.  I mounted my gun and waited.  Out he came. . . I dropped him right there!"

"I was so excited, I almost did a song and a jig right there!.  Thanks for doing this!"  Good buck, Annie!  We wish you many more songs and jigs for your future hunts.

Randy Phelps Bags Indiana Buck!

Twin Lakes Chapter member Randy Phelps, harvested this 180-pound, 9-pointer near Lanesville, Indiana, opening day of Indiana's gun season.  Randy is still hunting for his trophy Kentucky Buck.

With 4 adult children and 7 grandchildren, that all like to feast on venison, Randy and his wife, Mary, tray to harvest at least 8 to 9 deer each year; otherwise, the freezer is bare before the next year's deer season begins.  Some years, their teenage grandchildren are successful in harvesting a few of the needed deer.  The Phelps' family takes advantage of the Bonus Doe program, in both Kentucky and Indiana, to fill their freezers and save their buck tags for trophy hunting.  Wishing you and your family "good hunting" and "good eating".

A Grand Start for a Grand Lady!

As Joyce Austin will tell you, "It's never too late to start hunting."  This spry lady of 68- years took her first deer while hunting with her son, Mark, on a farm in Grayson County, KY.

According to Women in the Outdoors Regional Coordinator Kym Abernathy, the reason for Joyce's hunting interest can be credited to NWTF's WITO program and Mary Phelps - Kentucky's Women's Volunteer Coordinator.  Besides Mary Phelps and Joyce Austin belonging to the "All Women" Bass Club, Joyce had attended two of Mary's WITO events, including her Kentucky Fall Gun Turkey Hunt this fall.  The fall turkey hunt was Joyce's first experience at hunting.  She saw turkeys on the hunt, but (unfortunately) the turkeys did not cooperate.  Since Joyce was bitten by the hunting bug, her son Mark decided to give her some experience at deer hunting.  It seems the hunting experience has paid off and Joyce is on the roll.  Joyce - "You Go Girl!"

What a Start to Bow Season!

Northeast Kentucky Chapter member Brian Branham has Lady Luck on his side this bow season.  On day #1, Brian unloaded the ol' Mathews on a big tom that was strolling down the road with 4 other gobblers.  Having had no plans on taking a turkey, but presented with this sight, he picked one gobbler out and bagged this 19-pound, 2 oz. beauty with spurs 1-1/4" and a double beard - 11" and 7".  Brian said he doesn't have the official paperwork back from NWTF yet, but he thinks this bird should put him in the #2 spot in the state with a bow.

Only 9 days later, Brian finally caught up with the buck he had been looking for since the first day; a nice 15-point with a 21-inch spread.  Brian said this buck should score between 144 - 147 when dried.  Even though this deer had a few too many deductions to hit 150 P&Y, this buck is still a trophy to him.  Both turkey and deer were taken on Brian's farm in Lawrence County.  Now, Brian, how are you going to top this?