08/10/2004
NWTF Canada Recruiting Turkey Hunters in Manitoba
Volunteers from Manitoba's newest conservation organization, the National Wild Turkey Federation Canada (NWTF Canada), are doing everything they can to educate potential turkey hunters and promote the province's most rapidly growing form of hunting.
Last year, Manitoba sold four times more turkey hunting licenses than it did just 10 years ago. And turkey populations are growing. Manitoba Conservation biologists estimate there are more than 10,000 wild turkeys in the province today.
While there are more wild turkeys and turkey hunters in Manitoba than ever before, many potential turkey hunters in the province don't know how get started. NWTF Canada volunteers are helping them learn.
"There are very few turkey hunting experts here in Manitoba, but a lot of hunters are interested in learning how to hunt them," said Rob Lamont of Jo-Brook Firearms in Brandon, Manitoba. "Last year we sold more turkey calls, decoys and turkey hunting licenses than ever. A lot more guys are taking the time to scout and try to hunt the right way."
During the past two years, the Winnipeg Wild Gobblers chapter of NWTF Canada, the Manitoba Wildlife Federation and Manitoba Conservation sponsored pre-season wild turkey workshops and mentored turkey hunts for new turkey hunters ages 12 or older. The workshops and hunts were designed to teach participants about wild turkeys, turkey hunting and safety.
"Turkey hunting is still a relatively new sport here, and we want more people to hear the early morning sounds of gobbling in the spring woods," said John Krupinski, president of NWTF Canada's Winnipeg Wild Gobblers chapter. "The most important thing is that new turkey hunters learn how to hunt safely. NWTF Canada and other partners are committed to teaching these people the sport."
During the workshop, which included four hours of in-class instruction from safety and turkey hunting experts, new hunters learned about spring turkey hunting tactics, firearms safety and turkey hunting ethics. After the in-class instruction, participants learned about patterning shotguns at a shooting range.
After visiting the range, seminar participants got their first chance to turkey hunt. Novice hunters were paired with an experienced hunter before heading to the woods.
In 2003, a total of 56 people attended the seminars. Thirty-six of them were children. Of the participants younger than 18 years old, 21 hunted turkeys for the first time.
The 2004 seminar was a success, but the mentored hunt was hampered by Manitoba's harsh spring. Only four kids were able to hunt and, although all four harvested a gobbler, the other 17 children were prevented from hunting by the weather. However, their mentors are determined not to let a rough spring keep the kids from experiencing the sport and will instead take them on a fall turkey hunt.
"We really want them to use the skills and knowledge they learned in our seminar," Krupinski said. "Instead of taking the rest of the kids on a spring hunt, we are going to show them what fall hunting is all about. The hunting style is a little different, but safety and sportsmanship is still our number one concern."
The success of the program depends on a group of volunteers and sponsors. Businesses such as Hunters Specialties and Farmers Supply donated turkey calls and camouflage hats, while Mr. Fish Taxidermy in Hazelridge, Manitoba offered to provide tail mounts for some of the hunters. The Home of Instant Printing in Winnipeg also supported the workshop by donating a guided parent/child turkey hunt and targets for the range.
Event coordinators also received a lot of needed help from local landowners.
"Landowners in our area have been great because they really want to make sure new hunters have a good experience on their first turkey hunt," said Krupinski. "Most of the land with turkeys is privately owned, so without their help the program would be almost impossible."
The group is planning on hosting another workshop and mentored hunt early next spring. They also plan to expand their seminars throughout the province.
"As the excitement about turkey hunting grows throughout the province, so will NWTF Canada chapters. We plan to spread the word about the sport and educate hunters how to hunt safely," said Krupinski.
For more information about the Winnipeg Wild Gobbler's mentoring program, contact John Krupinski at (204) 667-8500. For more information about NWTF Canada, contact Joe Cannella at (218) 327-8931.
