*Great youth Turkey Hunt Event *

Posted: 14 May 2009 02:07 PM PDT

© By Othmar Vohringer

The Northern New York Hunters Helping Kids held their fourth annual Youth turkey weekend event at the Sandy Pond Sportsman’s Clubhouse on April 25 & 26th with 34 youth registering this year. Eighteen youth harvested a bird this year with one weighing in at twenty four pounds,9,1/2 beard. A first for our chapter, we had a youth with his dad from Canada register from the Watertown Sports Expo and he harvested a bird. Plus there was several double bearded birds taken by the youth hunters. One youth harvested two birds with one shot. Troy Miller, from the Mason/Dixon PA HHK Chapter, was one of mentor/callers and also photographed our youth hunters. His family also helped out for the weekend event.

All enjoyed a lunch of hot dogs, hamburgers with soft drinks furnished by SPSA. Then they enjoyed the laser shooting game furnished by the Oswego Co 4-H program and telling their hunting experiences of the morning.

On Sunday, more birds were weighed in and everyone enjoyed a chicken barbecue furnished by the NNY HHK chapter members. After the meal, awards were given out. Each hunter was asked to write an essay about his/her weekend hunting experience and the best essay was won by Justice Ames of Watertown and the runner up was Matt Glowfeskie of Henderson. The winner of a turkey mount provided by Don Miller of Lakeside Taxidermy in Fulton was Zach Kirksey of Dexter.

Door prizes for the youth were drawn and a bingo board game awarded each youth hunter in attendance, two prizes. Also a prize was given to all the underage youth in attendance.

Everyone enjoyed the festivities and looking forward to next year.
A big thank you goes out to the Sandy Pond Sportsman's Assn, the Oswego Co 4-H, NRA, Troy Miller family from the Mason-Dixon, PA HHK chapter, Jefferson Co Journal, Oswego County Weeklies, also the various sportsmen's clubs, the mentor/callers, the local businesses and the community for their support so NNY HHK can keep this a free event for the youth of our north country.

As any organization the HHK needs your help to continue the important work they do in passing the hunting heritage on to the next generation. One way to create support is a fundraising events. We are having a display table built like a glass top coffee table with a drawer under the top for displaying a assortment of unique Turkey calls preferably made by D.I.Y. craftsman, hobbyist, not major call manufactures. As soon as we get this completed tickets will be offered to the public and at all HHK show booths and events by all chapters.

So if any of you make turkey calls or know of someone who does please approach them with this idea
All donors will be shown on any literature we have for promoting this fundraiser along with a tax-deductible receipt if requested. For more information visit: Northern New York Hunters Helping Kids

Othmar Vohringer Outdoors
Founding Member of Outdoor Bloggers Summit

Essay Winners from our Youth Turkey Event Are!!!!!!!!!!!

2009 Youth Turkey Weekend event held on April 25 & 26th, each youth participant was asked to write an essay about their weekend hunting experience. The following is the winner and the runner-up essay.

The winning essay:

My Name is Justice and I am 15 years old. My dad and I have been in the woods together for years. Even before I could hunt, I have been learning what a rub looks like, the different animals, and practicing with my bow. There is alot of time and preparation that is involved with hunting.

This year in the youth turkey hunt was the first time I have ever taken a turkey. We were in the woods for about five minutes when a very large tom came out. I could not stop shaking but it was far away to shoot at. We waited for what seemed to be forever when a bunch of turkeys came out and I finally got a shot. It was only 45 minutes later, I got one. My dad was so excited for me, we called home right away and everyone else we could think of.

We got to weigh-in time and it wasn't the biggest one there, but it was the best one because I got it with my dad. My experience this year in the youth turkey hunt was the best ever. I have never felt so much excitement, while hunting. I had my first harvest of an animal and my dad and I have spent much time revisiting the day.. I am sure we will for a long time.

So remember it's not only taking the animal, it is all the time together that is the most important.

The runner-up essay:

My name is Matthew and during this weekend Troy took me out on my 2nd turkey hunt. At this time, I took my first turkey, it was the most excited I ever felt.

We went out around 5:30AM, and we listened. After about 15 mins of listening, we knew where we were going to go. We walked down a few hills into a treeline. As we were crossing a field we thought the turkeys might have spoted us, but we'll never know. Once we were in position, we waited and waited. After about 25 mins I thought I saw a huge tom, it would have been except it was about a 130 lb doe. She only stayed for about 5 mins and left. Soon after Troy said we had three choices. 1. We could leave and come back tomorrow. 2. We could move and hope not to jump a turkey. & 3. we could wait a little longer... so we waited. After 15 mins laterer we decided to go, and just as we were getting up a button buck came behind us down a hill, a few moments later there, there were "Gobble" three Jakes came through the brush line on the hill. Soon after some "skillful" calling by Troy the turkeys were within 35 yards. That's when Troy told me to take the shot, and I did.

Check out the picture page link for some 09 turkeys harvested'