Talking Turkey in Rhode Island
Through the NWTF’s Forests and Flocks Initiative, mission delivery efforts are no longer bound by state lines; rather, conservation and education and outreach events are increasingly focused on regional priorities.
This landscape-scale approach was on full display as the NWTF Ocean State Fantails Chapter of Rhode Island hosted a turkey calling, hunting and scouting clinic at Weidele’s Pizza in Sterling, Connecticut, working beyond state lines to unite people in the life-changing power of the outdoors.
Since this was the first event of its kind, the chapter was pleasantly surprised that nearly 50 new hunters attended the seminar to learn more about the wild turkey.
Armand Tetreault, NWTF Ocean State Fantails Chapter president, began the afternoon by introducing the National Wild Turkey Federation, all of the habitat conservation it funds and how the organization advocates for preserving the nation’s hunting heritage. Tetreault also gave a brief history of wild turkey populations in the state, explaining that before wild turkey trap and transfer programs began in the 1960s, Rhode Island wild turkey populations were in danger. Now, numbers in Rhode Island are strong enough to support struggling populations in east Texas.
NWTF volunteer Steve Weidele, the owner of the pizzeria, donated the space and provided food free of charge. Weidele also joined Tetreault in teaching a brief turkey hunting seminar, which covered how to scout and roost birds, the types of camouflage turkey hunters use in the Northeast, and the different types of calls turkey hunters use.
Artie Chaplin, another NWTF Rhode Island volunteer, donated 17 box calls for attendees to practice and take home. Joe Judd, Massachusetts NWTF State Board member and Quaker Boy pro staff member, also provided calls.
After calling demonstrations, attendees started practicing, and a little pizza shop in Connecticut filled with the sounds of the spring turkey woods.
“We filled the place,” Tetreault said. “Regular customers who didn’t know about our event decided to stay and join in because they were curious. It ended up being standing room only! It was fun because the kids who were there all learned together and played off of each other. It’s always funny hearing them make every other kind of bird sound but a turkey.”
This event was an important milestone for the NWTF Ocean State Fantails Chapter. During the COVID-19 pandemic, involvement in this chapter slowly declined. It’s been a challenge to start from scratch and rebuild, but this event is the first of many events that exemplify the resilience of NWTF volunteers in the area.
“One of the Rhode Island State Chapter’s founding members rejoined our committee with his son,” Tetreault said. “Having them back with several other new members has ignited a new excitement for our chapter. Everyone has been showing a lot of interest in developing new outreach programs, including the state’s first ever Veterans Turkey Hunt.”
The Veterans Turkey Hunt welcomed three veterans last spring, and despite the rain, two had successful harvests. The chapter hopes to expand the event in the future.
“This was the first real event our committee did,” Tetreault said. “It’s great seeing a like-minded group excited to have goals and willing to work towards them. I also need to thank our nearby state chapter presidents. I was new to the NWTF when I joined the committee, and I'm grateful for their help. Now with new members, we’re working with Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management and other local sporting groups in the state and starting to really make a difference. We’re working towards fostering relationships within our state.”