Taking Time To Share    

Recently I had the opportunity to hear a story about a gentleman taking out a youth for his first turkey hunt, and when the story was finished I had a new found respect for not only this gentleman but it almost brought a tear to my eye. 

      This gentleman continually takes out people who might not otherwise get the chance to partake in a turkey hunt.  His list of people he takes out each year continues to grow.  Now remember just how long turkey season actually is and then try to fit all of these hunts into that small time frame.  This year he made his list and it consisted of his elderly father, his young granddaughter,  a boy who he took for the first time last year, and another gentleman that he wanted to take out.  Now there is five people plus trying to find time for himself to get into the woods this spring.

     One afternoon a couple of weeks ago, he received an phone call from a friend asking if he could take a 14 year old boy out that has never been turkey hunting before, and probably wouldn’t if this gentleman didn’t take him out.  Well he thought for a while and told the friend on the other end of the line, I don’t know when I can, but I will make time for him.  Well there finally came a day when the schedule was open for a hunt, and he thought I need to get this young man out into the woods.  He made the call and the enthusiastic youth was ready to go.  He went to the boys house and met with his mother and the friend that introduced the two, and after all the introductions they made their way to a local woodlot for the hunt. 

     They got the popup blind set up and the camera to capture any big moment that might happen, and after a little calling with no luck, they finally hit pay dirt.  After a series of calls on the box call they made contact with some gobblers.  When the first one let loose, the boys eyes almost popped out of his head.  I guess since he has never had the experience of hearing one in the wild, it shocked him!  It was time to get ready for the birds, and get into shooting position.  When they finally came into sight, there were eight long beards total!  They were just getting into shooting range when they were sizing up which one to shoot, then the birds saw something they didn’t like and froze for just a split second when one of them began to alarm putt.  Before the experienced guide could tell the young man to shoot, he had already pulled the trigger!  Boom!! down the big boy went!  After letting the other birds take off and get out of the area, they went to inspect the beautiful bird they had just taken.  It was a 19lb. 15oz. Boss Tom with a 9 1/2 inch beard and 1 inch spurs!  This 14 year old boy named Steven had just taken his first Wild Turkey! 

      The whole hunt would not have been possible if it wasn’t for the generosity of Jim Miller the President of the Local Flint River Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation!  When he told me the story I could see the emotion and joy in his eyes as he told me the story!  This gentleman is truely a great asset to our great sport of hunting.  What better way to promote our great sport than to pass it along to a youth who might not otherwise ever get the chance to partake in such a hunt.  If more of our hunters would take the time to pass along the joy of the outdoors to the youth of this nation, this would truly be a better place to live.  If you have the time take a youngster out for a day in the woods or on the water.  If you don’t have time, make time, Jim did and look at the results!