I want to thank some of our corporate friends for their assistance on our Hell’s Canyon hunt.

Bass Pro Shops generously provided some RedHead brand calls, hunting clothing, hats and other gear for the hunt.

Browning Firearms loaned us a couple of their Browning Silver Shotguns and sent in some of their Browning Hell’s Canyon gear. I can’t wait to try out these great guns. 

Winchester Ammunition for providing ammo for everybody.

Mossy Oak for sending a selection of their Mossy Oak Obsession camo.

And last, but not least, Commando Calls for sending along a collection of their calls.

These companies have been great partners with the NWTF. Thanks to them for all they do to support conservation and promote our hunting heritage. Please remember them and our other partners when you’re buying your outdoor gear.

Brent

I have the privilege over the next week to meet and hunt with some of our top volunteers in Idaho and Washington state … and with a very special guest joining us. Andrew McKean, hunting editor for Outdoor Life, is joining us and with a little luck he’ll include the NWTF and some of its volunteers in an article he’s working on.

I can’t begin to tell you how much of an honor this is to meet and spend time with these volunteers and Andrew.

We’ll be hunting in several areas where the NWTF was instrumental in the release of turkeys in the areas as well as habitat work. Regional biologist Gabe McMasters will be joining us and help fill Andrew in on all the habitat work we’ve done to strengthen turkey populations and hunting in the Northwest.

Wish us luck.

Brent

I’m putting the finishing touches on a hunt that will showcase all the good work that NWTF volunteers have done in the Northwest U.S. As long as nothing falls apart before May 10, I’ll be accompanying Outdoor Life hunting editor Andrew McKean and some NWTF volunteers on a hunt in the Hell’s Canyon region of Idaho and then into Washington.
It’s be a great opportunity to showcase all the work the NWTF volunteers have done to introduce turkeys and improve habitat in that region. The tri-state region of Idaho, Washington and Oregon is one of the few places you can get an Eastern, Merriams and Rio within a 100 mile radius.

I took my own son on his first hunt during the Missouri Youth Season on Saturday. While we didn’t get a bird, we had three jakes come within 10 yards of us. We weren’t able to get a shot off, but my son is hooked.
After hunting the rest of the day, all he could say was, “Where are we setting up at tomorrow?”
So here’s my plea for the day — take you kids hunting. It’s an experience you’ll both treasure.

I took part in a tremendous JAKES event Saturday in Bolivar Missouri. They had about 130 kids go hunting in the morning and the Twin Lake Longbeards chapter provided guides and hunting spots as needed.
After the morning hunt, more than 300 parents and kids attended an event designed to teach kids and their families about the role the NWTF plays in the community.
We also filmed a hunt with an 8-year-old boy who is dealing with the recent loss of his father in a vehicle accident. With the help of Bass Pro Shops’ Jerry Martin and chapter president Mark Smith, the boy was able to kill his first turkey — a 22-pounder with a 10- and 4-inch beards.
The boys’ mom was beside herself because “there’s a group of men out there who are willing to help teach my children about the outdoors. Thank you all.”
From what I hear, there’s great video footage of this boss gobbler flogging several jakes and marching past several hens thanks to the seductive calling of Jerry Martin.
You’ll see this episode during the 2010 season of Turkey Call television.

Today I watched a group of dedicated people put the final touches on what is going to be a tremendous Youth Turkey Hunt and ensuing JAKES event in Bolivar Missouri.
The Twin Lakes Chapter expects to have about 150 kids participate in a morning youth hunt, which will be followed by an afternoon get together with a total of about 400 people. The event is going to be so big they’re holding it at the Middle School Gym.
It will be a great opportunity to discuss the wonderful opportunities offered by the JAKES program, and encourage people to attend next Saturday’s banquet.
Naturally, there are many sponsors helping out during this event, including Bass Pro Shops and pro staffer Jerry Martin who is guiding for a young boy. Also, there are generous contributions by HS Strut and Commando Calls, to name a few.
I’ll give more details Saturday afternoon after the hunt and event.

Today I’m visiting Mark Smith and the Bolivar Missouri chapter. They hold a huge 150-kid youth hunt in Polk County in conjunction with the Missouri Department of Conservation’s Youth Turkey Season. I can’t want to see how they organize such an ambitious event. From what I understand, farmers from across the county volunteer their land to let kids come hunt. It’s a great opportunity to get the next generation involved in the outdoors.