Shawn Roberts, East Texas Regional Director of the National Wild Turkety Federation, served as M.C.
for Tuesday night's banquet and auction.

 

Wild Turkey "Conclave" Raises Funds
For Preservation & Youth, Tuesday Night

 

by: Bobby McDonald

 

Beautiful items were included in both the live and silent auctions.

 

The crowd wasn't huge, but the enthusiasm was great at Tuesday nights, National Wild Turkey Federation 2nd Annual Hunting Heritage Banquet, conducted in the Hopkins County Civic Center. The annual event that attracts local hunters and friends is conducted to raise awareness for wildlife preservation and to offer scholarships to local youth, in an effort to protect the habitat of wild turkeys. Major sponsors for this year's event included: Farm Country, Inc., Beer 30, FEC Electric Co-op, and First National Bank of Emory.

 

Local wild turkey enthusiasts and friends view the items and participate in one of the drawings.

 

Local, SSHS Senior, Jake Russell was awarded a $2000.00 scholarship to be used in achieving his college education, by the local group, after winning both the local and a position on the state roster of candidates. "This is great!" expressed a happy Russell, as he accepted the check from Chapter President, Dale Thompson.

 

Local SSHS senior, Jake Russell, right, is awarded a $2000.00 scholarship, by Dale Thompson, president
of the local chapter of NWTF, as Master of Ceremonies, Shawn Roberts looks on.

 

 

Tuesday night's event began with a silent auction and a number of drawing games that attendees could purchase chances to win. A BBQ Brisket and Sausage meal was provided by Andy and Mary Lou Wright's Catering Service from Birthright, and the event ended with a live auction, for a number of beautiful items for the home and hunting cabin. Games included "Pluck the Turkey" for a chance to win a gun; "Stuff the Duck" for youth scholarships; and "Pick of the Litter."

 

Farm Country, Inc. was one of the local major sponsors of Tuesday night's NWTF Banquet.

 

"Many hunters fail to realize that the springtime offers a great opportunity for hunting wild turkey," exclaimed one of the local hunters, at Tuesday night's banquet. "Gobblers hunted in the spring are actually surplus birds, since many of the hens have already been bred. Spring turkey season begins mid-March to April 1st in most parts of Texas!"

 

 

A meal catered by Wright's BBQ was enjoyed by all.

 

Promotional material about wild turkey hunting states, "When the sun first starts to light the eastern sky, turkeys fly down from the roost and the hens pretty much make up the rules, as to the direction they will travel. The gobblers simply follow along!"

"That's kind of like waking up at my house!" quipped one local hunter. "The wife sets the pace for the way the day is going to run from the onset of the morning!"

 

 

Kent Crank, of Nacogdoches, served as the auctioneer for Tuesday night's live auction.

 

 

"Spring is a great time to be outdoors and turkey season is an easy excuse to enjoy hunting colorful birds over fields painted with beautiful spring wildflowers and nature at its finest," expressed another local turkey hunter.

 

 

Tuesday night's event was termed a success, by local enthusiasts, as funds were raised and association with fellow hunters was enjoyed in the Hopkins County Regional Civic Center.

 

Armed Forces veterans and active military soldiers were honored at Tuesday night's event.

 

 

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