West Virginia State Chapter NWTF Home Page

2014 Winter Edition
West Virginia
A Publication of the WV
State Chapter of the NWTF
Message From
The President
Conserve. Hunt. Share. Words to live by!
I can’t believe that 2013 is quickly coming to its end. I hope
that it has been, and will continue to be, a good year for
you all.
The 40 year anniversary of the National Wild Turkey
Federation will soon be behind us, but not the task that we
have started and challenges that lie ahead.
I want to thank the West Virginia Department of Natural
Resources for all that they do! I want to welcome all of
our new members that we have. You have joined a great
organization that continues to work for the wildlife and
sportsmen of this country. I can tell you that being a member of the National Wild Turkey Federation means that you
do make a difference.
We (you and The National Wild Turkey Federation) are
planning and working for a better future for wildlife, and
sportsmen. We are implementing the plan for our future
and calling it Save the Habitat, Save the Hunt. Our goal
is to “save the habitat” and conserve 4 million acres of
habitat. Our NWTF Biologist “Culley” McCurdy has and will
continue to do this with our help as well as the help of the
WVDNR. We will also work to “save the hunt” and create
1.5 million new hunters. Some examples of this that all of
our chapters can do is to take advantage of the Jakes Take
Aim Trailer and use it to introduce youth (and their parents) to the shooting sports. Another good thing is to take a
youth, or even an adult, hunting that has never gone before.
Many people that have never had the chance to shoot a
gun or to hunt would love it “IF” someone would just spend
a little time with them showing them how it is done. Be that
person at least once a year. Trust me, you will not miss a day
of hunting. Instead you will gain a lifelong memory.
The Save the Habitat Save the Hunt initiative is setting
Scott Wilson,
WV NWTF President
high but very doable goals for our organization. Please
help to make these goals a reality! It will take a team effort
but good things seldom come by chance!
On a negative note, On August 9th several members
and I attended a meeting to discuss the negative impact
of the Birthplace of Rivers National Monument, should
it become a reality. The loss of land management and
outdoor recreation is not a direction we want to go.
On a more positive note, the Jakes Take Aim Trailer is
being used and enjoyed throughout the state. We recently
used the Jakes take Aim Trailer at National Hunting and
Fishing Days held at Stonewall Lake. The trailer was a great
success. A total of 559 youth went through the trailer and
shot the guns. We had 387 boys, 172 girls! For a lot of the
shooters it was the first time that they ever shot a gun. The
children really enjoyed shooting the guns and then being
able to keep their targets. I think that all of the volunteers
had a good time too! At least I truly hope they did! In addition we signed up 269 new J.A.K.E. members!
Have you ever wonder just how hard our Regional
Director ”Farky” (Bob Farkasovsky) and our State NWTF
Biologist “Culley” (Patrick McCurdy) actually work? Hard
enough to make us proud. They were recently honored by
The National Wild Turkey Federation as the Best Conservation Field Team! (See photo in this edition)
I want to thank both Farky and Culley (and you) for all
the hard work they do. I am sure you agree we are lucky to
have them!
Scott Wilson
In this issue
4
5
7
8
9
10
13
14
WV State 2014 Awards Banquet Registration
16
What a Bunch of Jakes
Local Chapter Happenings
The Good Ole Days
Logan Area Chapter Keeps it Moving
The Grandest of Slams
West Virginia WILD
17
Local Chapter Presidents
18
The Saga of IH357
19
2014 West Virginia Hunting
Heritage Banquet Schedule
The Art of Turkey Hunting
Save the Habitat. Save the Hunt.
National Wild Turkey Federation Mission Statement:
Dedicated to the conservation of the wild turkey and preservation of our hunting heritage.
wvstatechapternwtf.com
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Flock Talk Winter 2014
w v s t a t e c h a p t e r n w t f. c o m
West Virginia
Winter 2014 Issue
FLOCK
lk
Ta
Editor/Chairman
Roger Wolfe
[email protected]
Art Director/Layout
Tina Ward
Copyright 2014
The West Virginia Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation
West Virginia Flock Talk is published annually by the West Virginia Chapter
of the National Wild Turkey Federation (WV-NWTF). Information in this
publication is provided “as is” and without warranties of any kind, whether
express or implied. The West Virginia Chapter of the NWTF makes no
guarantees as to accuracy, currency, quality or fitness of any information
presented in this publication. The WV-NWTF assumes no legal liability or
responsibility for any incorrect, misleading, outdated or missing information.
The views and opinions expressed in Flock Talk are those of the writers, who
are responsible for the accuracy of content. They do not necessarily reflect
the view of the WV-NWTF. The WV-NWTF reserves the right to cancel or reject
articles or advertising deemed inappropriate or unsuitable for Flock Talk.
Anyone using information from this publication does so at their own risk
and shall be deemed to indemnify the WV-NWTF. The publisher shall not be
responsible or liable for any damage or injury resulting from such use.
W e s t V i r g i n i a s tat e
NW TF Directory
President
Scott Wilson
304-624-4739 • [email protected]
Rt. 1 Box 442-A, Clarksburg, WV 26301
Regional Biologist
Patrick "Cully" McCurdy
304-799-4792 • [email protected]
HC82 Box 217B, Marlinton, WV 24954
Technical Committee
Curtis Taylor
304-558-2771 • [email protected]
Building 74, 324 Fourth Ave., South Charleston, WV 25303
If your local Chapter has any events or
happenings coming up, be sure to take lots
of pictures and make lots of memories.
Submit them for the 2015 Flock Talk to
Roger Wolfe at [email protected].
w v s t a t e c h a p t e r n w t f. c o m
Winter 2014 Flock Talk
3
TYGART Valley CHapter
local chapter happenings
TV Chapter
Field Staff Awards
1st row: Margaret Brown, Edna Shockey, Trish Thomason, Diane
Bargo & Joan Thomason. 2nd row: Neal Shockey, Bill Bargo,
Walmart Meat Dept.Employees Greg Streets & Rob McCallister. Not
pictured: Mike & Maxine Metzner, Don Thomason & Ray Mearns.
Once again our local Tygart Valley Chapter of National Wild Turkey
Federation participated in the Annual NWTF Turkeys Hunter Care
Program during the 2012 Holiday Season, with the help of our local
Walmart. This program was started to brighten up the holidays for
those who might need extra help during the holiday season. The
chapter donated 29 turkeys to local food pantries, homeless shelter,
churches and individuals that will help provide Thanksgiving meals.
Each chapter must raise their own money to participate in this
program through fund raiser throughout the year. This program is
an example of NWTF members proving that although the NWTF’S
mission is to conserve the wild turkey and preserve our hunting
heritage, but also helping others.
Pictured Left to Right: George Thornton, CEO, Dr James Earl
Kennamer, Chief Conservation Officer, Cully McCurdy, WV
Regional Biologist, Phil Ferrare Jr, Director of Field Operations
Northeast, Bob Farkasovsky, WV Regional Director, Shawn Dickey,
District Field Supervisor, Brian Zielinski, Director of Conservation
Operations Northeast.
The NWTF West Virginia Field Staff Team, Bob Farkasovsky and
Cully McCurdy won the Best Conservation/Field Operations Team
Award for 2013, at the National Wild Turkey National Leadership
Conference. WV NWTF members are lucky to have a hard working
team like these guys pushing every day for the protection and
enhancement of the wild turkey and it’s hunters in West Virginia.
4
Turkey
Talk
Summer
Flock
Talk
Winter
20142011
During the Forest
Festival as you were
walking through
the city park, you
probably noticed
the many vendors,
food wagons and
animals, like you do
every year. But if you
looked closely and
if you didn’t notice,
I’m sure you kids
did, there was a new
addition to the park, PICTURED ARE: An excited local youth waits for his
just for children ages turn, with the help of Don Thomason and watching
17 and under. Tucked from outside Ray Mearns.
between trees,
this year the local
Tygart Valley Chapter of NWTF, brought the WV State’s National Wild Turkey
Federation JAKES Take Aim Air gun trailer to introduce youth in our area, the
fun of shooting in a safe, fun environment. During the three days the trailer was
visited by 551 both boys and girls who anxiety waited in line for their turn. NWTF
chapters across North America hold JAKES Take Aim events to present the
opportunity for youth ages 17 and under to try this free target shooting program.
Each NWTF state chapter will receive a fully equipped air gun trailer to be used
during JAKES DAY or other youth events. JAKES (Juniors Acquiring Knowledge,
Ethics and Sportmanship) DAYS events are sponsored by local chapters that
teach youth hunting and safety ethics, along with passing on the traditions of
responsible hunting and teaching the principles of habitat management. This
JAKES Take Aim event which is a physical activity also gets youth away from the
TV and off the couch. Other benefits include building personal responsibility,
improved hand and eye coordination, fine motor skills and concentration. The
trailer will be returning for next year’s Forest Festival and was ran this year by TV
Chapter members Bill Bargo, Ray Mearns, Don Thomason and Randall Watkins.
This year during the West Virginia Forest Festival in Elkins as you
were walking through the city park, you probably noticed the many vendors,
food wagons and animals, like you do every year. But if you looked closely and if
you didn’t notice, I’m sure your kids did, there was a new addition to the park,
just for children ages 17 and under. Tucked between trees, this year the local
Tygart Valley Chapter of NWTF, brought the WV State’s National Wild Turkey
Federation JAKES Take Aim Air gun trailer to introduce youth in our area to the
fun of shooting in a safe and fun environment. During the three days festival the
trailer was visited by 551 boys and girls who anxiously waited in line for their turn
to try out the Daisey air rifles. NWTF chapters across North America hold JAKES
Take Aim events to introduce youths ages 17 and under to the shooting sports
with this free target shooting program. Through a partnership with Midway
USA each State Chapter will receive a fully equipped air gun trailer to be used
during JAKES events or other youth events to expose not only the kids, but
also the parents, to the fun and excitement of air gunning. The JAKES (Juniors
Acquiring Knowledge, Ethics and Sportmanship) events are sponsored by local
chapters that teach youth hunting and safety ethics, along with passing on the
traditions of responsible hunting and teaching the principles of habitat and game
management. This JAKES Take Aim air rifle range is a physical activity that also
gets youth away from the TV and off the couch. Other benefits include building
personal responsibility, improved hand and eye coordination, fine motor skills
and concentration. The trailer will be returning for next year’s Forest Festival and
was ran this year by Tygart Valley Chapter members Bill Bargo, Ray Mearns, Don
Thomason and Randall Watkins.
gt e r n w t f. c o m
w vps a
t antw
e tcf.hoarp
13th Annual west virginia state
Awards Banquet
National Wild Turkey Federation
DAYS HOTEL & CONVENTION CENTER
FLATWOOD, WEST VIRGINIA
SATURDAY – JANUARY 11, 2014 at 5:00 p.m.
FIRST CHANCE for Chapters to see the
new 2014 live auction package
and silent auction package.
Awards for Outstanding Chapter Performance during 2013, plus
Chapter President of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, Wildlife Manager
& Conservation Officer of the Year awards.
Come Out For All The Fun!
T H I S I S A LWAY S A S P E C I A L N I G H T.
$25 PER PERSON
(Must be a member of the National Wild Turkey Federation)
For registration or additional information call: Bob Farkasovsky at 304-842-5515
Send your check payable to NWTF and completed registration form to:
WV STATE AWARDS BANQUET c/o BOB FARKASOVSKY
322 PENNSYLVANIA AVE., BRIDGEPORT, WV 26330
NAME:_________________________________________________________________________________
ADDRESS:_____________________________________________________________________________
CITY__________________________________________ STATE___________________ ZIP_____________
EMAIL:_______________________________________ PHONE:__________________________________
Ticket Quantity____________________ x $25 =___________________________
Kompaniets Taras/Shutterstock
w v s t a t e c h a p t e r n w t f. c o m
Winter 2014 Flock Talk
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6
Flock Talk Winter 2014
w v s t a t e c h a p t e r n w t f. c o m
WHAT A BUNCH OF JAKES
Bob Garrison, Stonewall Jackson Woodlands Tracks Chapter
Almost three years ago, the Stonewall Jackson
Chapter representing Upshur and Lewis Counties
in West Virginia decided to “step it up” with our
JAKES program. Although our JAKES programs
had been the driving force of our chapter for the
13 years of its existence, we decided to do more to
reach out to our area youth. Thanks to Kenny and
Wanda Matthews and Donna and Delmas Woody
as JAKES coordinators, we have really ramped up
the program for our annual JAKES Day.
In March of 2013 we sponsored a cooperative
project with the West Virginia Departments of
Natural Resources to plant persimmon trees at
select locations on the Stonewall Jackson Public
Hunting area which surrounds Stonewall Jackson
Lake near Weston, West Virginia. The goal was
to add diversity to the wildlife forage and to give
the JAKES something they could point to as an
accomplishment and be able to appreciate for
many years to come.
JAKES Day in August we had a super-improved
event. With the effort and assistance of the WV
DNR Wildlife Division, WV Division of Forestry,
U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,
Upshur County Sheriff’s Department, NRA Youth
Shooting Association, Tennerton Lions Club, and
several individuals, we had one “heck of a good”
JAKES Day. Both youngsters and parents had a
fun and informative day.
One of our goals the past two years has been
to double the number of JAKES attending; thus
far we have managed to accomplish this goal.
Our chapter has always felt that our JAKES
program is one of the greatest things we can do.
With a huge effort from our members and a great
deal of assistance from our supporters, we feel
that we are “gettin’ it done!”
WHAT WE ARE ABOUT
Bob Garrison—Stonewall Jackson Woodland Tracks Chapter
The first morning of the West Virginia Spring Gobbler
season two firsts took place.
An enthusiastic young hunter, Isaac Lane, aged 9,
killed his first turkey. His neighbor and mentor, Delmas
Woody, long time Stonewall Jackson NWTF member
also had a first that he was equally proud of. Isaac’s first
gobbler was also the first bird that Delmas had ever
called in for someone else. This was especially rewarding
as Isaac and Delmas are good buddies. As can be seen in
the picture, we are not sure who is happier.
Our chapter has always especially worked toward the
“share the hunt” and our JAKES program. This special
day in the spring of 2013 seems to illustrate “what we are
all about” and why we do it.
2013
Jakes Day
The Jackson County Spurs of the N.W.T.F.
had their annual Fishing Derby at Cedar Lakes
Conference Center on Sunday July 13th,2013.
Once again great weather returned for the more
then 75 in attendance, all the kids competed for
plaques, and prizes which included gifts from
United National Bank, WV forestry Assoc. ,The
Great Outdoors, Wal-Mart and the Jeweler’s
Touch among others.
With the cooperation of Cedar Lakes
Conference Center and the Indian Lakes
Fisheries, a total of 300 lbs Of Channel Catfish
was stocked in one of the ponds. Starting at
1:00 pm in the afternoon, Richard King,(chapter
President of the Jackson County Spurs) addressed
everyone in attendance. He spoke about the
National Wild Turkey Federation and some of
their programs they have such as J.A.K.E.S in the
outdoors (Juniors Acquiring Knowledge, Ethics,
and Sportsmanship), scholarships to graduating
seniors, 4-H shooting sports, the Jackson county
fair and others.
The day was great, with bright sunny skies
and lots of local kids to participate. While many
kids were catching fish, others enjoyed some of
the other activities on hand during the event.
Joe Crowder was once again on hand to donate
his time and supplies to those wishing to take
a hand made fishing lure home with them. The
WV Bowhunters set up their 3-D targets and
were busy all afternoon teaching archery to
those in attendance. These gentleman do not get
enough credit for the time they put in traveling
around the state and making these events fun
and informative for all the kids. One of the new
activities this year is the NWTF’s shooting trailer,
w v s t a t e c h a p t e r n w t f. c o m
a trailer fully loaded with everything to set up
a small fully enclosed shooting range, including
targets, BB guns and ammo.
The participants where directed to the shelters
and prizes were awarded to those who had the
most weight, and to several who were lucky
enough to reel in tagged fish. Prizes where given
out to all of the kids in attendance. Hotdogs,
chips, and drinks were served and Mr. King
again addressed the crowd Thanking the many
volunteers for the day and reminding everyone
that the day would not be possible without the
many members, sponsors, underwriters, and
donors that attend and/or help with the Annual
Banquet that they hold every spring in April.
Without this Banquet none of the days events
would have taken place.
Winter 2014 Flock Talk
7
THE Good ole days
By CurtisTaylor, WVDNR, Chief Wildlife Resources / NTWF Technical Committee
It was September 14, 2013 and as I found my
way to the hickory patch in the eerie pre-dawn
light, my mind wandered back to the days of
my youth in McDowell County. Except for
my gray hair and beard, it was like I had been
whisked back in time by some magical machine.
My arms cradled a shotgun, my eyes searched
the ground for pieces of hickory hulls and
pieces of shell, my ears listened for the telltale
swish of leafy branch and the unmistakable
sound of a hickory nut being open by a squirrel.
Yes, this was the way September always began
for me; squirrel hunting, the big game of southern West Virginia in the 1960s. This was not
recreation, this was war, this was proving one’s
self as a hunter, this was showing the world you
knew the woods and how to outsmart a wary
beast and put food on the table, the best food
you could imagine...complete with gravy and
biscuits! It was how to earn extra money selling
squirrel tails to Mepps Spinner Company and,
as I learned in my high school days, a way to
impress girls with your successes in the deep
woods.
And you read right…squirrels were big game,
the only game, except for the grouse that we
never shot at if they flew…we didn’t waste
ammo. In those days I never saw a deer, bears
were something you read about in Outdoor Life
magazine and turkeys only lived in some magical place called Pocahontas County. I knew that
thanks to Howard Linkous, Wildlife Manager
and R. Wayne Bailey, Wildlife Biologist from
the “DNR” that would “let” the local boys clean
the nets they used to trap turkeys. We eagerly
agreed because among the leaves, sticks and
other debris in the net, we might, just might,
find a turkey feather. One of the worst fist fights
in my youth was over a central tail feather
lodged in the net….I was taking that feather
one way or another…along with the black eye
that came with it! The stories from these two
men about wildlife fascinated me and were a
huge influence on my later career decisions.
Fast forward to 2013. Yes, squirrel season
has returned to the glory days of September. Hickory nut shavings pour down from the tree
tops like rain and subsequently my fall tonic of
biscuits covered in squirrel gravy. But things are
different now. What’s that track..it’s a deer!!!! All those leaves piled up…a turkey has been
here scratching for food and that big black pile
of half-digested seeds and berries….bear scat! All of these creatures now inhabit my old boyhood haunts…..unthinkable discovers way back
then but common occurrences now.
How did this happen? Why did it happen? What does it mean? The answers are easy. A
dedicated bunch of Wildlife Managers and
Wildlife Biologists worked hard to restore these
once plentiful game animals to habitats across
the state. Their work, coupled with sportsman’s groups cooperation and financial
assistance made it happen. None of these
success would have been occurred so quickly
without support from the public, sportsmen
and women and organizations like the National
Wild Turkey Federation. In my 35 year tenure
with West Virginia Wildlife Resources, NWTF
along with the state and local Chapters have
invested over $1 million in wildlife restoration,
habitat improvement and the education of the
youth that will follow in our footsteps. There
is an old saying that if you are not part of the
solution, you are part of the problem…….well,
I’m here to tell you, WVNWTF has been and
continues to be part of the solution, more so
than any other group in this state.
So pat yourself on the back…you deserve it. And this fall enjoy the fruits of your labor. Take
a quick glance at this year’s hunting regulations. Deer season starts September 28, Bear season
starts in some areas Sept. 21 and fall turkey season begins October 12th. This is a historic year
for turkey hunters. Not since the 1940’s have
hunters had the opportunity to pursue turkeys
in so many places. This year, 42 of the State’s
55 counties will have some form of fall turkey
hunting, including counties like McDowell,
Wyoming, Logan and Lincoln. My sage advice
to you is go back to your roots….renew your
passion for the woods, see if you still have the
skill to find and bring home a mess of squirrels…and take a youngster with you….they will
learn much more about wildlife, habitat and
how to really hunt than they will ever lean sitting in a treestand over a pile of corn waiting on
a deer.
While you are squirrel hunting, look for
potential places to find turkeys. Acorns will
be difficult to find in many places. All our
reports indicate spotty oak mast production
statewide….but if you are lucky enough to find
a patch of oaks that did produce nuts….make a
mental note…the turkeys WILL find this place
and return until the acorns are gone. On the
bright side, beech nuts appear to be plentiful
and everyone knows the affinity turkeys have
for this food source. Beech crops like these
don’t happen every year so by all means take
advantage of their abundance. If you want a
real challenge, restrict yourself to calling and
only shooting an adult gobbler this fall…getting
one of these guys into shotgun range is no easy
task in the fall.
The bottom line is we can look back fondly
on the early days of our hunting adventures,
but at no time in modern history have we had
such opportunity to pursue game. Perhaps one
of the biggest challenges folks of my generation
have is to relay to younger hunters that it wasn’t
always this way…there was the time when the
only thing in the woods were squirrels…and
they were super wary…not anything like the
squirrels you see now at you bird feeder or in
town. Explain how the support of hunters,
through license fees, Pittman-Robertson excise
taxes on firearms and ammunition, political
influence and just being involved has made a
tremendous difference. Working together as we
have in the past, we can continue to see success
stories and make “The Good Old Days” NOW.
Jakes Take Aim Trailer
at National Hunting
& Fishing Days
T
he West Virginia State Chapter and volunteers from several local
chapter’s manned the Jakes Take Aim Trailer on September 28 and
29th. We had 559 kids shoot and many of those kids shot for the first
time. We also signed up 239 Jakes for free, from the banquets outreach
contributions. We hope this will show them the many opportunity’s there are
in the great outdoors.
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Flock Talk Winter 2014
w v s t a t e c h a p t e r n w t f. c o m
Logan Area Chapter
keeps it moving T
he Logan Area Chapter seems to be in perpetual
motion. The old adage “strike while the iron is
hot” comes to mind and the LAC is continually
stoking the fire. You can also say it is a chapter for all seasons and the seasons are busy. They started the year off
running with a great showing at the annual state awards
banquet in January by picking up 5 awards. From there,
they worked tirelessly through March to make their Annual Hunting Heritage Banquet another success. They
were pleasantly surprised at their banquet when Regional
Director Bob Farley presented the chapter with a plaque
commemorating ½ million dollars raised for the NWTF.
At this year’s banquet, the chapter also celebrated the
NWTF’s 40th birthday and the LAC’s 20th year as well. 20
years and still going strong.
No sooner than the banquet hall had fallen silent, the
chapter was busy preparing for their Annual Jakes Hunts.
Although the gobblers got the upper hand this year, the
hunters and guides still counted the event as a success.
The dust had barely settled from the annual hunts
when the committee members were hard at work planning and preparing for the Annual Jakes Fishing Day.
Now in its 6th year, it just keeps getting better. This year
the chapter added the NWTF Shooting Trailer to the
event and it was a hit with all the Jakes in attendance.
The Jakes trailer is shipped all around the state to various
Jakes events and other events as it is available and this
year it was a great addition to the event. Once all the
door prizes were given out and the BB’s began to slow
down at the Jakes event, the committee was already plotting the next move.
Just two short months away, the Chapter was getting
ready for the Chief Logan Hunting and Fishing Expo and
their second Annual Calling Contest as a part of it. This
year’s calling contest was even bigger and better than last
and the callers and spectators alike thoroughly enjoyed it.
Again this year, the Logan Area Chapter took part in the
Youth Challenge at the Expo and was proud to be able to
sponsor two lifetime hunting and fishing licenses for the
winners of each day. This year, the winners were Jayden
Howell and Jackson Akers.
Only weeks behind the Expo, the Chapter was busy
getting ready for their annual fundraising golf tournament. Each year the turnout helps to pay for the activities and community programs that keep the Chapter
hopping.
As the hectic summer winds down and the seasons
begin to change, the Chapter starts to focus on its Annual Turner Hunters Care outreach of distributing frozen
turkeys and hams to various Churches, food pantries, and
civic groups to be used for the upcoming Holiday season.
This year, the Logan Area Chapter got an extra boost for
the Turkey Hunters Care Program from Warner Law Offices of Charleston who gave a very generous $500 donation through their Warner Law Gives Back Program. This
donation of money will go a long way toward making the
Holidays brighter for our entire community.
Finally, as the year and Holidays wind down, the committee members sit back and take a deep breath to relax
for just a moment until it is time to start all over again
and start preparing for the next banquet.
w v s t a t e c h a p t e r n w t f. c o m
Winter 2014 Flock Talk
9
The Art of
turkey hunting
By Roger Wolfe
T
urkey hunting has long been steeped
in traditions and not the least of
those have been call making. West
Virginia is no exception in this as
there have been, and still are, a wealth of
talented call makers that not only make some
top quality sounding calls, but actually create
works of art used for calling turkeys. One
such call maker is the coalfields very own L.T.
Pack. LT prides himself on not so much as
the beauty of the call, but how well it will call
in that wary old boss bird. From strikers, to
trumpets, to pot calls, wingbones and even
10
Flock Talk Winter 2014
scratch boxes, he has made them all, but his
favorite is by far the tried and true box call. LT
uses a variety of materials and styles in his call
making and each call is unique. Woods that
are native to West Virginia such as sassafras,
walnut, cherry, (and his favorites for their tonal
properties) poplar and butternut are a staple
of his call making. LT also likes to use a variety
of other materials to supplement and accent
his calls such as deer antler, elk ivory and
some exotic wood species. When asked what
brought him to call making LT says “it was a
natural progression from his love of turkey
w v s t a t e c h a p t e r n w t f. c o m
hunting and working with wood”. Considering
the long list of West Virginia call makers the
likes of Gene Blackshire, Lonnie Sneed, Peck
Martin, Brian Aliff, Denver Howard, Steve Torman and many, many others, he says he is just
carrying on the tradition of call making. LT
doesn’t do it with any plans of making a living
as a callmaker, he is in it for the call itself. He
strives, in every call, to make something that
is unique and a one of a kind item that will be
handed down as a family treasure. Above all
else they must sound good enough to take
to the woods and bring home the bird. As he
says” if it won’t call birds, it’s just a pretty paperweight”. LT may spend many hours or even
weeks on some calls to make it the perfect
show piece. While others take less time, they
are just as special. By using bits and pieces of
different materials to highlight each unique
call, he makes them just as special as the bird
they are used to entice. One such call that
the call maker has dubbed “The Warrior,” is a
wingbone call made from the wing bones of
a grand old bird who survived a broken wing
and went on to fight another day. LT wanted
to make a call from the broken wingbones
and the fused knot left on the bone to pay
homage to the old bird and it only adds more
character to the call and the sound that will,
hopefully, lead another warrior of the spring
woods to the hunter. It’s the special touches
such as this that make these calls a piece of
art. Sometimes it’s a grizzled old wing bone,
or a piece of the shell casing used to harvest a
bird but each and every call has a story to tell.
The true love of this call maker is the box
call. He loves taking a log found on the side
of the road, whether it be a blowdown, a
salvaged piece of firewood or maybe a block
left from a recent timbering operation and
turning it into a turkey call and bringing out
the highest quality in the wood and the call
maker. When asked, the call maker states that
it all started in the mid 90’s when he decided
he would try his hand making a box call. He
dissected a few calls he liked and
then started putting his wood
working skills to use. Things
definitely started to steamroll
from there. He keeps looking for
ways to make each call special
or unique. His calls have been
used all across the country calling
probably every species of gobbler
around. LT especially likes using
local woods that have a history, whether it is
an old fence post or a piece of grandpa’s barn.
It gives the call a special meaning and connection to not only the hunter, but to the history
and traditions associated with turkey hunting.
One such special project wood he is currently
working with is a piece of an old track timber
salvaged from a 1920’s era deep mine. The
wood itself is nearly 100 years old and has been
in place in an abandoned deep mine for over
90 years. Not to mention that after sitting that
long in a mine that the wood itself is as black
as the coal it was used to transport out of the
ground. “It’s woods like this with all that history attached that make a call special” says the
call maker.
Not all of LT’s calls are destined for the
turkey woods, although they are all perfectly
capable of it. He has graciously donated to the
local NWTF Chapter to be raffled off at their
annual Hunting Heritage banquet to raise money earmarked for the JAKES program as well as
w v s t a t e c h a p t e r n w t f. c o m
Photos courtesy of L.T. Pack
other worthy causes here and there. These calls
are sometimes presentation pieces complete
with a stand and display case, but take any one
into the woods and the turkeys would be hard
pressed to stay away. Some of the calls have
brought in as much as $400 at the events.
It is the artist’s gift, that LT denies he has,
that makes the calls such an eye catching and
ear catching thing. Whether they are on display
in a den, an office or a turkey vest, make no
mistake that this call maker knows how to turn
out a spectacular turkey call. And as a turkey
hunter, he has also been known to call in a gobbler or two over the years, many of which were
with calls made by his own hands. If you ever
find yourself fortunate enough to hunt with a
one of a kind, hand crafted, LT Pack turkey call,
know that you have something special and you
aren’t just hunting with a turkey call, you are
hunting with a piece of American folk art that
is a long standing and honored tradition in the
turkey woods. And not just in West Virginia
but anywhere turkeys are found.
Winter 2014 Flock Talk
11
NWTF/NRCS GoldeN-WiNGed WaRbleR CoNTRibuTioN aGReemeNT
WOULD
YOU . . .
• like a free wildlife management plan written for
your land for timber and wildlife to benefit both
game and non-game species?
phoTo CouRTeSy oF daVid SpeiSeR
• like technical and financial assistance to create/
maintain 10 or more acres of young forest habitat on
your property?
• like to provide critical habitat for a variety of wildlife and plant species that are currently in decline?
• like to encourage more pollinator insects like
butterflies on your land?
• like to enhance your property through proven
habitat management activities?
phoTo CouRTeSy oF douG liTTle
Contact:
Cully mcCurdy
West Virginia and Virginia
NWTF Regional biologist
304-799-4792
[email protected]
NWTF-NRCS Golden-Winged Warbler Initiative Area
NWTF-NRCS Golden-Winged
Warbler initiative area
our 7 biologists in the designated Working
lands for Wildlife –Golden Winged Warbler focal area are currently working with
the uSda Natural Resources Conservation
Service (NRCS) to provide professional
assistance through consultation to private
landowners, including a written wildlife
management plan for your property. if
your land qualifies, these professionals
can help you attain financial assistance to
restore and manage your property, and
discuss with you the many benefits of having multiple species of wildlife and plants
on your land. The uSda is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
8901012
12
Legend
States
Golden-Winged
Focal Area
Flock
TalkWarbler
Winter
2014
120
60
0
±
w v s t a t e c h a p t e r n w t f. c o m
120 Miles
save the habitat.
save the hunt.
The turkey hunting community is facing a critical time in history.
Turkey populations in the east are showing a 15% decrease from historic
high populations just a couple short decades ago. In comparison, this
is the same situation that Northern Bobwhite quail were in 50 years ago
and we know all too well how that turned out!
We lose 6,000 acres of wildlife habitat every day in this country or an
area the size of Yellowstone National Park each year. In addition, hunters
are champions of conservation and we are losing hunters faster than we
are replacing them, which affects funding for conservation and limits our
ability to stand up for our hunting heritage rights. Many hunters struggle to find a place to hunt and research has concluded that is one of the
top reasons people quit hunting. The majority of funding for wildlife
conservation comes from hunting licenses and self-imposed, excise taxes.
As hunter numbers decline, so does funding for conservation.
In late 2012, The NWTF rolled out its latest initiative that has the
potential to positively impact conservation and the sporting community
greater than any previous effort of the organization since the restoration
of the Wild Turkey was completed in the late 80’s. The NWTF’s Save
the Habitat. Save the Hunt. initiative is a far-reaching national effort
that is essential to the future of the upland habitat and wildlife that we
cherish. Over the coming years, we will raise $1.2 billion that will be used
to have a long-lasting impact on conservation and hunting. This 10 year
initiative will be individually tailored by volunteer leadership in each
state to meet the critical needs of habitat and outreach to accomplish
established goals.
We will Save the Habitat and conserve or enhance 4 million acres
of habitat by:
• Focusing our efforts based on the priorities established by science
based on wildlife research
• Focusing on four key habitat types; forests, streamside corridors, fields/
meadows, and scrubland/grasslands
• Working in areas where it is possible to have a meaningful impact on habitat and wildlife populations
We will Save the Hunt and create 1.5 million new hunters by:
• Evolving NWTF outreach programs to include hunting experiences to create long term hunting license holders
• Being a proactive and visible advocate for hunting and the
rights of hunters
• Removing barriers and making it easier to introduce new
people to hunting
• Increasing access to 500,000 acres for public hunting
Save the Habitat. Save the Hunt. This initiative will only work by
focusing on these core elements. Hunters, conservation and wildlife are
connected at such a fundamental level that it would be impossible to for
one to continue as we know it without the other two!
In July of this year, the West Virginia State Board met for initial planning
and to determine how the initiative could be best tailored to achieve the
goals in our state. With the help of a moderator designated by our national headquarters in Edgefield SC, we worked through a “SWOT” model
to determine our current situation. “SWOT” is an acronym for Strengths,
Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats. Lists were developed by the
group for all of these components that are specific to our state to establish priorities and ultimately goals for the organization.
The implementation of the program will be ongoing over the life of the
10 year initiative. Chapters are strongly encouraged to have a representative present at future planning meetings that will normally coincide with
state board meetings. We have also been asked by our national leadership to identify a Save the Habitat. Save the Hunt. coordinator for each
state. If you are interested in filling this vital role, please contact Cully
McCurdy at [email protected] or Bob Farkasovsky at bfarkasovsky@
nwtf.net.
Hunting is Big Business!
For all that bemoan the legal use of firearms in
America there are millions of us that take up arms
to protect our families, target shoot, and yes, hunt
wildlife. Hunting is big business.
The National Shooting Sports Foundation
(NSSF) has recently published some incredible
statistics for those of us who hunt. In 2001
there were 14,990,000 hunting licenses sold. The
numbers had decreased in 2006 to 14,620,000 and
the progressives celebrated that hunting numbers
were in a decline. Excessive celebration penalty…
the 2011 numbers show that we picked up 10,000
more hunting license (there are 19.3 million
hunters total, remember everyone doesn’t buy a
license). You might be surprised to learn where
the growth is; women!
Women now make up 11% of the hunters
in America. With 11,600,000 Big Game hunters
in both sexes comprising the largest sector of
hunting the money adds up. Money? Yes it cost
us to hunt, target shoot, and protect our property
and families but the money has added up to
an astonishing economic impact in America.
Hunting is bigger than Google! Hunters alone
contributed $38.3 Billion in 2011 to the American
economy (Google-$ 37.9 Billion).
A large share of our hunting dollars goes
toward hunting licenses; you know those things
you complain about but know are a necessity.
Hunting license fees have increased from $642
million in 2001 to $790 million in 2011. Those
fees have increased to provide better hunting
opportunities in the forms of access and habitat
across the nation.
There is some bad news as I look at the
numbers. Small game hunting is in a decline;
from a high of nearly 6 million hunters in 2001 to
slightly over 4 million small game hunters in 2011.
w v s t a t e c h a p t e r n w t f. c o m
By Charlie Nichols
I know that it is extremely difficult to grouse and
rabbit hunt on WMAs today and all it would take
is some habitat improvements that would help
our big game turkey and deer populations at the
same time. Migratory bird hunters are holding
steady at nearly 4 million hunters. I want to see if
Duck Dynasty helps boost those numbers in 2012,
like the movie “A River Runs Through It” increased
fly fishing participation.
You can help the cause by buying a license,
taking your kids hunting, and getting your
significant other involved in the sport.
You have already made a great step in
protecting our hunting heritage by being a
member of the NWTF, but we can all always
do a little more. Get involved by attending
DNR Commission meetings and joining other
conservation groups to make a difference in
increasing access and habitat improvements.
Winter 2014 Flock Talk
13
the
grandest
slams
of
O
n West Virginia’s first Youth Day
Spring Gobbler season nine
years ago, Bob Leasure called in
a Big Gobbler for his oldest
grandson, Mackenzie now 21,
and decided he would try to complete a
Grandpa/Grandson Slam, by calling in a gobbler
for each of his grandsons to shoot as their first
turkey, a slam that would have more meaning
than trampling all over the country for the
different sub-species of the wild turkey. The
slam would be representative of the same, with
each grandson’s gobbler representative of the
four sub-species needed to complete a turkey
hunting grand slam. He would do the calling
and his four grandsons would do the killing, of
their first turkey. Another amazing aspect to
the slam is that the boys killed their first turkey
chronologically according to their age; Mack,
Skyler, Riley and Parker. “It took over nine years
to complete this thing, but Parker was a baby
when I decided to try to do it,” says Bob. It
soon became a family affair as the young boys
14
Flock Talk Winter 2014
each waited and anticipated their turn to help
“Grandpa” with his slam.
Mack’s Bird was to be Grandpa’s Merriams.
Possibly the easiest of the four sub-species to
hunt, and Mack’s bird was as text book as they
get and worked out just the way we wish all out
hunts would. Bob and Mack had done their
scouting in anticipation of the first ever West
Virginia Youth Spring Gobbler hunt and had
roosted some birds the night before. Dawn
couldn’t come fast enough for the excited
hunter and his Grandpa. The next morning the
weather was not what turkey hunters like for
the first morning or any morning, RAIN. As fate
would have it the rain subsided just at first light
and the hunters took to the woods to intercept
the gobblers as they greeted the morning. Not
far into their walk they heard the first gobbles
and decided it was time to set up. Bob got
Mack situated as he took a few more steps to
place the decoy. With final instructions to get
ready to shoot right where the decoy was set
and very anxious Mackenzie awaited his first
w v s t a t e c h a p t e r n w t f. c o m
By Bob Leasure
and Roger Wolfe
turkey ever. It didn’t take long and soon he
watched as his guide whispered “When he gets
between those tree stumps put that bead on
his neck and let him have it.” BOOM! The turkey
flopped right past the decoy. “Do I shoot him
again?” Mack asked anxiously. “Not unless you
like to eat buckshot,” a positively tickled
Grandpa laughed. Mackenzie’s bird weighed in
at 22 pounds with a 10 inch beard and one inch
spurs. Not bad for the first leg of the Grandest
Slam a Grandpa could think of.
Skyler’s Bird was to be Grandpa’s “Rio
Grande”. Though not as vocal or quick to the
call as the Merriam, the Rio Grande is a
challenging bird to hunt, and Skyler’s bird fit the
bill to a tee. The quest for Skyler’s bird got off to
a rocky start with a couple of close calls on the
youth gobbler hunt and the long wait till the
next weekend when Skyler could hunt again
with his Grandpa. That next Saturday finally
arrived and Skyler said, “Why don’t you bring
your shotgun? Maybe we can double like you
and uncle Zac did on his first turkey?” Those
words would prove to be very fortuitous for the
young hunter. The two hunters made their way
to where Bob knew a wise old Tom had been
calling home. As the duo neared the wooded
edge of an old field the big bird sounded off.
The two began to set up. Skyler loaded the first
shell in his 20 gauge pump, just as Bob quietly
loaded his old trusty 12 gauge, one gobbled
again. A few yelps and purrs later and the hook
had been set and the old bird was on his way.
Just as those old Tom’s do, the bird hung up for
about twenty minutes before finally Bob
whispered, “Don’t Move! I see his fan coming to
the right of the decoy, there’s his red head, he’s
got a thick beard, see him?” “Yeah, Yeah I see
him. Shoot him?” Skyler whispered back. “If
you’re on his neck shoot him” Bob urged. Skylar
had flipped the safety off and pulled the trigger
but nothing happened. “What’s wrong?” a now
concerned grandpa asked. “It won‘t shoot”
Skylar replied. A few tense moments later and
it was time for the big switch. As quietly and
secretively as they could, Bob and Skylar had to
switch guns with the turkey only a few short
yards away. “It’s gonna kick.” “ You’ll be alright,
I promise” Bob assured the young hunter. After
maneuvering the longer barrel into position
where the birds head would emerge from
behind some small trees Skyler slowly squeezed
the trigger. BOOM! The big Tom rolled over the
hill and never flopped. “It didn’t kick! It didn’t
kick!” Skyler proclaimed. “I told you it’d be
alright” Bob chimed. After a lot of hugging and
celebrating and thanking God for an unforgettable hunt the hunters found that in loading
Skylar’s borrowed pump shotgun they he hadn’t
fully closed the slide to engage the action,
luckily Grandpa and his trusty 12 gauge were
there. Skyler’s bird weighed in at twenty four
pounds with a thick 10 inch beard and 1 ¼”
spurs. Half of the Grandest Slam was in the
books and only more memories to go.
Riley’s Bird was to be grandpa’s “Osceola”.
Often associated with the damp and humid
conditions of Florida, it was fitting that Riley’s
bird would be taken on another wet and rainy
youth hunt. After hearing about his brother’s
bird for two years it was finally Riley’s turn to
help Grandpa along on the Grandest Slam. As
the date for Riley’s hunt approached Riley, his
dad Chad, and of course Grandpa headed out
to pattern his new JAKES 20 gauge shot gun he
had won at a recent JAKES event. After
patterning and picking out the right shell, it
was time to wait for the day of the hunt. Riley
and his dad had wanted to share the experience
with Grandpa, but didn’t want to risk ruining
the slam with too many people on the hunt so
they didn’t say anything, until Bob mentioned
that Chad should come along because he was
getting tired of carrying turkeys out of the
woods for everyone else. Chad quickly agreed,
but with the stipulation that they make turkey
jerky if they were successful in getting a bird.
When the youth season finally arrived the trio
was headed to the hunting grounds when Bob
had to tell Riley to turn his Ipod down. “We are
all going to be deaf from that noise!” Bob
scolded and called Riley a “Rock-n-N-Roll”
turkey hunter. To which Riley promptly
answered, “I rock and the turkeys roll.” To
which the group had a good chuckle. As they
arrived at their chosen hunting spot and the
rain wore on, Bob asked, “Do we want to get
wet or go back home?” The answer was a
resounding “WET!” and off they went. As they
walked down a narrow ridge between two fields
it looked like the perfect set up if they didn’t
get rained-out. After a few soft yelps and a fly
down cackle a distant gobbler sounded off. A
louder yelp produced gobbles in several
different directions. After several gobbles Chad
had to stand to reposition and quickly sat back
down announcing, “There’s a whole flock of
birds coming out the ridge!” Soon the birds
were only sixty yards away and closing. There
were three jakes headed right for the young
hunter, enticed by smooth calls made from his
Grandpa. Chad quickly asked Riley if he would
shoot a jake; to which Riley fondly remembered
what long time turkey hunter Denver Howard
had told him in a safety seminar about there
being a lot of jakes and they should kill them,
and replied, “Yes!” The birds finally worked into
a good shooting position and Chad said, “Shoot
the big one”. Riley quickly answered “No beard! I
am on the one on the left.” With that he put the
bead on the jakes neck and pulled the trigger.
POW! The jake started flopping and the bigger
jake immediately started flogging it. Chad
immediately jumped up and shouted, “He did
it, He got him!” Riley looked over at his Grandpa
and asked if it was OK to shoot a jake to which
he proudly replied with a big smile, “it’s better
than OK, it’s perfect.” On the way home with
Riley’s trophy, he proudly proclaimed, “I rock
w v s t a t e c h a p t e r n w t f. c o m
– and the turkeys roll!” drawing a heartfelt
laugh from the hunting party. With that said,
three quarters of the Grandest Slam was
complete. Riley’s bird sported a 6 inch beard
and weighed in at seventeen pounds.
Parker’s Bird was to be Grandpa’s “Eastern”.
Unquestionably the most wary and difficult to
hunt, not only because of the keen and
cantankerous nature of the bird, but also
because of the terrain it inhabits. It is only
fitting that Parker’s bird would be four years in
the making with passed up birds and close
opportunities along the way. In 2012 Bob was
able to call in two jakes on the youth day, but
Parker elected to pass on them because he
could see three big gobblers just out of range.
He waited for an hour but the big boys just
wouldn’t come in. This just shows how deep
turkey hunting is in his veins, willing to risk not
getting one, to wait for that boss bird to come
in. However, the 2013 Youth gobbler season
would turn out different and in Parker’s favor.
This year on youth day after his Grandpa was
able to call a beautiful gobbler off the roost only
to have it stolen by three hens. The duo had to
play the waiting game and hope the gobbler
once again found himself lonely. About an hour
later, Bob made some aggressive clucks and
purrs and the gobbler broke free of the hens
and circled in to their set-up. Parker patiently
waited and the big Tom jumped up on a stump,
the sun shining brightly on his iridescent
plumage, showing the surrounding world that
he was the boss bird. Parker said that it was the
most beautiful bird he ever saw; and when the
bird jumped off the stump it walked right in
front of the bead of his shotgun. As they say,
“The rest is history.” After tagging his bird and a
lot of picture taking, hugs and high fives he
thanked God and became a turkey hunter for
life. Not to mention he also helped his Grandpa
complete one of the Grandest of Slams any of
us could hope to complete. Parker’s bird
weighed in at 24 pounds sported a 10 ½” beard
and carried one inch spurs.
Since his quest for the Grandest Slam
started, Bob says, “My youngest son, Zac has a
little boy, now four years old, if I call in his first
turkey maybe I can make it a Royal Slam.” Bob’s
love of sharing the outdoors doesn’t end with
his grandson’s. Bob is also the coordinator for
the West Virginia JAKES Program through the
WVNWTF and the president of the Middle
Island Longbeards Chapter. The JAKES program
is full of knowledge and can provide opportunities for children that they wouldn’t otherwise
be able to enjoy. To join JAKES/XTREME JAKES
visit the state chapter website, wvstatechapternwtf.com today or better yet look for an
upcoming JAKES event from a local chapter
near you and take the kids out and see what all
the fun and excitement is really about.
Information on all the local chapters and their
upcoming events can be found at the website
listed above.
Winter 2014 Flock Talk
15
West Virginia
WILD
October The REAL Opening
of the Hunting Season
By Frank Jezioro Director,
West Virginia Division of Natural Resources
T
ime surely does fly by the older you
get. In years past I was ready, straining
at the bit, in anticipation of October.
Each cool morning in September would bring
visions of falling, swirling multicolored leaves. It
always reminded me of the vision you get when
looking through one of the old kaleidoscopes.
Each evening when I fed the dogs I could sense
nervousness on their part. They dont have a
calendar but a built-in sense of coming events.
In the past few years the season seems to
sneak up on me and I find myself scurrying
around the last few days before the opening
of the season. I squirrel hunted a morning in
September but didnt deer or bear hunt. Now,
with October closing in, I was busy checking
shotguns and shells for grouse, woodcock and
turkey hunting. Making sure all equipment
was ready is a part of the fun of waiting for the
seasons of October.
There is no place in West Virginia that compares to the High Country of our North Central
Mountains in October. There always seems to
be a breeze stirring the color-splashed leaves,
sending them turning and twisting toward the
earth. A light vest feels good in the morning.
Winding along the Cheat River on the way to
Tucker County was a beautiful drive. The fog
was lifting from the cool water and formed a
white ceiling shutting out the morning sun.
About half way up Cheat Mountain I broke
through the fog and entered a brilliantly sun lit
landscape.
Part of why I hunt is just being in this country. The solitude, serenity, lack of traffic and
human activity are all a big part of the hunting
experience. When I throw in the dogs, a great
old classic American-made shotgun and the
health to walk among Gods great Outdoors, I
can ask or expect nothing more. Taking a bird
or two will be great for sure and add to the days
experience, but not taking any will not detract
from the day. With the clicking off of each mile,
the anticipation builds until I am finally at a
familiar wide spot on the old logging road.
I am pleased to see that the hawthorn has
done well and the thorn apples are hanging
heavy. This particular old grown-up farm has
both red and yellow haws. During the first
part of the season you can bet that if there is a
grouse in the country he will be close to the old
hawthorn trees where he finds both food and
shelter. I see that the dogwood and crab apples
have also done well. These soft mast types will
take the grouse, deer and turkey well into the
winter. But it is the oak, the acorns, that add
the nourishment and fat they need to make it
through the harsh mountain winter.
It takes me a minute to stretch and
straighten up completely after stepping out of
the truck and the dogs show no patience. They
know where we are and why we have come and
delay is not part of the day. With the tiny sleigh
bell around Snoopys neck and a few 20 gauge
shells for the Ithaca double in my pocket, it is
time to start another years adventure.
Each season is like a new chapter in the
hunters book of life. Enjoy each and every outing to its fullest, for we never know how many
chapters the Good Lord has written in our
book! Be safe.
Note: Check the WVDNR Hunting Regulations Summary brochure for details of all the
fall 2013 hunting seasons in West Virginia.
Wounded WArrior
Bear Hunt
The Potomac Headwaters Chapter, teamed up with the Potomac Highlands
Warrior Outreach to help guide 12 Wounded Warriors September 23 and 24 on
a bear hunt. This was the fourth year that the chapter has helped with the hunt.
The Potomac Highlands Warrior Outreach was formed in Pendleton County in
2010. They work directly with the Walter Reed National Medical Center and
various veteran’s hospitals in WV. Keith Thompson Chapter President said “It is
a honor to help give something back to these special people who share the same
love for the outdoors as we do.”
If your local Chapter has any events or happenings coming up, be sure to take lots of pictures and
make lots of memories. Submit them for the 2015 Flock Talk to Roger Wolfe at [email protected].
16
Flock Talk Winter 2014
w v s t a t e c h a p t e r n w t f. c o m
State Chapter
Awards Banquet
local chapter presidents
Boone County Limbhangers
Tommy Grant
455 Glen Drive
Wharton, WV 25208
304-247-7755
[email protected]
Cathedral Longbeards
Randy Strawser
PO Box 156
Aurora, WV 26705
304-735-5405
[email protected]
Charleston Chapter
Chris Deweese
117 Grant Drive
Sissonville, WV 25320
Chestnut Ridge Longbeards
Jack Bell
PO Box 231
Reedsville, WV 26547
304-864-3859
[email protected]
Doddridge County Tailfans
Randy Hutson
1306 Skelton Run
Wallace, WV 26448
304-782-3605
Eastern Divide
Bryan McCurdy
Rt. 1, Box 22
Greenville, WV 24945
304-772-3708
Eastern Panhandle
Carl Kief
705 New York Avenue
Martinsburg, WV 25401
304-263-2179
Lewis Wetzel
Terry Heinzman
105 North 5th Avenue
Paden City, WV 26159
304-337-9239
Four Rivers
Brian Prim
2-A Greenbrier Avenue
Hurricane, WV 25526
304-757-0572
Logan Area
Doyle Gore
PO Box 112
Holden, WV 25625
304-239-2025
[email protected]
Fayette Longspurs
Darrell Hypes
117 Frank Street
Fayetteville, WV 25840
304-574-1942
[email protected]
Guyandotte Longbeards
Kenneth Stiltner
270 Ramey Addition Rd
Wyoming, WV 24898
304-732-7840
Middle Island Longbeards
Robert Leasure
HC 69, Box 15
Alma, WV 26320
Mid-Ohio Valley
Brent Lambert
4998 Braun Road
Belpre, OH 45714
304-483-9516
Jackson County Spurs
Richard King
205 Quail Run
Ripley, WV 25271
304-372-6801
Mingo Beard and Spurs
Harold Davis
PO Box 457
Lenore, WV 25676
304-475-4641
[email protected]
John “Mutt” Martin
Gregg Miller
403 West Brentwood
Avenue
Moundsville, WV 26041
304-845-9742
Mountain Lakes
Mike Shaffer
185 Curry Ridge Road
Napier, WV 26631
[email protected]
North Central Mountaineers
Jim Simms
Rt. 1, Box 537 C
Mt. Clare, WV 26408
304-622-2359
[email protected]
Stonewall Jackson
Woodland Tracks
Bob Garrison
Rt. 4, Box 622
Buckhannon, WV 26201
304-472-5204
[email protected]
Northern Panhandle
Rick Kinney
3721 Marland Heights Rd
Weirton, WV 26062
304-224-1208
[email protected]
Tucker County Longbeards
George Wilfong
4061 Location Road
Parson, WV 26287
304-478-2282
Pocahontas Strutters
Katrina Trumbo
8854 Muddy Run Road
Burnsville, VA 24487
540-925-2219
[email protected]
Tygart Valley
Don Thomason
PO Box 177
Beverly, WV 26253
304-636-6454
[email protected]
Potomac Headwaters
Keith Thompson
PO Box 56
Franklin, WV 26807
Wayne County Longbeards
Bruce Crockett
Rt. 3, Box 3061
Wayne, WV 25570
304-272-6196
[email protected]
Potomac Highland
Robert Snyder
Rt. 1, Box 105F
Ridgeley, WV 26753
304-358-7639
WV State Chapter
Chris Deweese
304-415-4827
Pricketts Fort Limbhangers
Mike Tarley
RR 2, Box 252
Fairmont, WV 26554
304-825-1434
[email protected]
w v s t a t e c h a p t e r n w t f. c o m
Winter 2014 Flock Talk
17
The Saga of IH357
I
Photo courtesy NWTF
t was hatched out in the Canaan
Mountain sector of the West Virginia
highlands within the borders of the vast
Monongahela National Forest. Here
was one of the last wild blood bastions
for his species whose population levels
were nearly extirpated earlier in the
Twentieth Century.
White men and their rapid, widespread logging practices and market hunting had all but
done the wild turkey in. Fortunately for them,
their numbers were improving per changing
standards toward the latter part of that same
century.
However, there were other more widespread areas that weren’t as fortunate as those
preserve like zones the Monongahela provided.
Wild turkeys were in fact extirpated over the
vast majority of their former range. It might
take decades or scores of years to naturally
repopulate them. That is if it weren’t for this
new-fangled program.
Fast forward now to September, 1988 and
this young turkey was now a few months old,
a poult of likely just a few pounds but growing fast. A flocking species, this social bird fed,
loafed and roosted with its siblings, its mother
hen of course plus other hens and their young
of the year birds. Such brood flocks can reach
a respectable number of his, hers and theirs, so
to speak. The sordid species history alluded to
meant nothing to our young poult. Just staying
alive kept him preoccupied.
Then one day, a deafening blast startled
the young bird. Simultaneously, a circus like
net draped over him and his flock mates. In
a panic, the netted bird flapped ‘til it was
exhausted, but to no avail. Each second seemed
like an eternity. Just then, some proud WVDNR
18
By Bob Fala
Flock Talk Winter 2014
wildlife manager tucked the net to prevent any
birds from escaping.
Turns out that big bang was that from a
cannon propelled “rocket-net” set off by the
guy standing over the netted flock pinned to
the ground. This turkey trapper was assisting
with one of the Mountain State’s “trap and
transfer”programs. They take true-blue, wild
blooded turkeys from here where they are, to
where they ain’t, pure and simple.
Turns out, this batch of birds was designated
for a turkey-less zone some 200 miles south
along the Logan and Mingo county line. The
country there was warmer, quite steep and the
folks talked a little bit different, but the young
turkey had no way of knowing any of this. It
was merely confused, but still alive.
And lest we forget to mention it, this particular bird had a band crimped onto its leg.
Henceforth, it was 1H357.
The new home release area had its similar
share of perils just like back home. There were
foxes, bobcats, free-roaming dogs and the ever
dangerous human species. But he did survive in
his new environment.
We know he made it to full-fledged Jakehood as a nice young gobbler circa the spring of
1989, with kind of a cackling but proud voice.
By the following spring of 1990, he was a fine
two-year old with a booming gobble to with it.
He was already passing his genes on to future
generations.
By the spring of 1991, he was in his prime
having grown to 21 pounds and sporting a fine,
long beard. His plumage and spurs were a bit
tattered showing the normal wear, and tear of
strutting, display and other mating activities of
a boss gobbler.
His feet were made for walking since he was
w v s t a t e c h a p t e r n w t f. c o m
now nearly 15 miles from his original release
site. One late April day that fine spring of 1991,
he was perched high up on a mountain where
his thunderous gobble could be heard by prospective hens from way off in the distance. It
was getting late in the mating season and it was
also spring gobbler season.
In response to some hen calls, our gobbler
was fooled once again. This time the roar was
that from a shotgun. The hen calls were made
by a human imposter, a hunter donned in
camouflage. With those lead pellets flying faster
than the speed of sound, 1H357 likely never
even heard the report.
I was the hunter that fired that shot. It was
only upon retrieval of this grand trophy that
I noted the banded leg. It was District V DNR
biologist, Tom Dotson that filled me in on both
the trap and transfer history that went along
with the band number.
This turkey’s demise was met with much
respect and some regret. But maybe it was a bit
poetic. This turkey, its leg band and me, it was
just a story in need of telling.
Where there were no turkeys, there are now
turkeys and they’re doing just find and providing a lot of recreational hunting opportunities
to boot. The hunting dollars through the cooperating state game agencies as augmented by
the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF)
have done yeoman’s work in this arena.
And as for 1H537, rest assured that I told the
folks all about you!
(This and 38 other varied West Virginia
wildlife accounts are featured in Bob Fala’s
book, “Ramblin’ Outdoors,” available
through McClain Printing Company.)
2014 WEST VIRGINIA
HUNTING HERITAGE BANQUET SCHEDULE
West Virginia State
Awards Banquet
Jan. 11, 2014
Days Inn Convention Center
Flatwoods, WV
Bob Farkasovsky, 304-842-5515
North Central Mountaineer
Feb. 22, 2014
Village Square
Conference Center
Clarksburg, WV
Vince Smith, 304-476-0070
Boone County Limbhangers
Jan. 18, 2014
Van High School
Van, WV
Tommy Grant, 304-247-7756
Mid-Ohio Valley
Feb 28, 2014
Nemesis Shriners Building
Parkersburg, WV
Brian Townsend, 304-422-6181
Pricketts Fort Limbhangers
Jan. 18, 2014
Westchester Village
Fairmont, WV
Phil Tarley, 304-363-8730
Wayne County Longbeards
March 1, 2014
Lavalette Fire Department
4502 Rt. 152, Lavalette, WV 25535
Bruce Crockett, 304-544-6196
Stonewall Jackson
Woodland Tracks
Feb. 1, 2014
Stonewall Jackson Resort
Roanoke, WV
Bob Garrison, 304-517-3809
Four Rivers
March 6, 2014
Big Sandy SuperStore Arena
Huntington, WV
Mike Kirtley, 304-634-1460
WV State
Feb. 6, 2014
Embassy Suites
Conference Center
Charleston, WV
Chris Deweese, 304-343-4126
Mountain Lakes
Feb. 7, 2014
Day’s Inn Convention Center
Flatwoods, WV
Mike Shaffer, 304-452-8357
Pocahontas Strutters
Feb. 8, 2014
Pocahontas Opera House
Marlinton, WV
Patrick McCurdy, 304-799-4762
{
Middle Island Longbeards
March 8, 2014
Momentive Performance Park
Training Facility
Bens Run, WV
Bob Leasure, 304-758-4374
Tygart Valley
March 15, 2014
Beverly Fire Dept
Beverly, WV
Ray Mearns, 304-338-6025
Logan Area
March 15, 2014
Earl Ray Tomblin
Convention Center
Logan, WV
Doyle Gore, 304-239-2606
Northern Panhandle
March 21, 2014
Knights of Columbus
Weirton, WV
Rick Kinney, 304-224-1208
Fayette Long Spurs
April 18, 2014
Beckley Convention Center
Beckley, WV
Darrell Hypes, 304-573-9081
Chestnut Ridge Longbeards
March 22, 2014
Knights of Columbus
Morgantown, WV
Richard Hardin, 304-284-1642
Cathedral Longbeards
April 19, 2014
Reedsville Fire Department
Reedsville, WV
Randy Strawser, 304-735-5405
Eastern Panhandle
March 28, 2014
Berkley County Youth
Fairgrounds
Martinsburg, WV
Scott Gainer, 304-264-0769
Eastern Divide
April 25, 2014
Union Church of God
Fellowship Center
Union, WV
Bryan McCurdy, 304-772-3708
Potomac Highland’s
March 29, 2014
Romney V.F.D.
Romney, WV
Bob Smith, 304-822-5081
Potomac Headwaters
June 7, 2014
South Fork Fire Dept
Brandywine, WV
Larry Simon, 304-358-2134
Jackson County Spurs
April 11, 2014
Jackson Hall / Cedar Lakes
Conference Center
Ripley, WV
Richard King, 304-372-6801
Jack Martin Chapter
Mingo Beard & Spurs
July 17, 2014
Opry House
Delbarton, WV
Harold Davis, 304-475-4832
(formerly - Guyandotte Longbeards)
April 12, 2014
Wyoming West High School
Pineville, WV
Alan Stiltner, 304-732-6585
Lewis Wetzel
April 12, 2014
Mollohan Center /
Wetzel County
4 – H Camp
New Martinsville, WV
Lind Adams, 304-455-5484
Tucker County Longbeards
July 26, 2014
Davis Fire Hall
Davis, WV
Eileen Wilfong, 304-259-5590
John E. “Mutt” Martin
August 8, 2014
Moundsville Fire Department
Moundsville, WV
Gregg Miller, 304-845-9742
The NWTF is looking for volunteers to develop new chapters and banquet
committees. Or join an existing committee and expand your network and
the good you can do for wildlife and hunting.
{
Contact Bob Farkasovsky at 304.842.5515 [email protected]
w v s t a t e c h a p t e r n w t f. c o m
Winter 2014 Flock Talk
19
Non-Profit Org
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
Lehigh Valley, PA
PERMIT # 159
in
Conserve. Hunt. Share.
INVESTFUTURE
our
!
s
e
Y
I’d like to join the National Wild Turkey Federation, a
non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation of the wild turkey and the preservation of the
hunting tradition. This membership also enrolls me
in my state and local chapters.
❏ Regular Member: $35
❏ Sponsor Member: $250
❏ Women in the Outdoors: $35
Member Benefits
Join the NWTF and enjoy exclusive
membership benefits, including:
➢ Subscriptions to the NWTF’s magazines
➢ Networking opportunities with hunting
and conservation-minded people at NWTF
banquets.
➢ Exclusive merchandise opportunities
➢ Access to articles and helpful hunting and
conservation tips.
➢ Members-only message board access.
➢ Outreach programs for youth, women and
people with disabilities.
➢ Exclusive online deals.
➢ Scholarships for students.
➢ Free or discounted seed through
Project HELP and the Conservation Seed
Program. (in participating states)
➢ Discounted land enhancement
materials including tree seedlings, grass
seeds, oat hay, netting and more through
the NWTF’s regional and national habitat
programs. (in participating states)
➢ Land management advice from
certified biologists.
➢ Habitat field days and workshops.
➢ Turkey records registration.
➢ The opportunity to vote in Board of
Directors elections.
➢ NWTF decal.
❏ JAKES Member (ages 12 & under): $10
❏ Extreme JAKES Member (ages 13 - 17): $10
❏ Wheelin’ Sportsmen Member: $35
Name: (please print)____________________________________
Signature:___________________________________________
Address:____________________________________________
____________________________________________________
City:________________________ State:_____ Zip:__________
Phone:______________________________________________
❏ Master Card
❏ Visa
Credit Card #:_______________________________________
Exp. Date:___________________________________________
(Make checks payable to NWTF)
Send complete application to:
Bob Farkasovsky • 322 Pennsylvania Ave. • Bridgeport, WV 26330
w w w. W V S ta te C h a p te r N W T F. c o m