Every great hunting story begins with a spark—a moment when passion meets opportunity and a young life is forever changed. For six remarkable young hunters, ages 7 to 15, that spark was ignited as they traveled from four different states to Camp Lowden in Oregon, Illinois, united by a shared dream: an unforgettable hunt. From securing licenses at a local hardware store to demonstrating their skills at the Boy Scouts’ shooting range, these participants proved that the next generation of hunters is ready. Their mentors watched with pride as each young hunter displayed confidence and ability beyond their years. As pizza was served and laughter filled the camp that evening, it was clear the real adventure would begin the next day.
This turkey hunt stands as a testament to heart, dedication, and a deep commitment to the next generation. After being diagnosed with cancer in December, event director and founder Terry Day was hospitalized shortly before the hunt. Despite these challenges, Terry remained focused on ensuring USSA’s special hunters could still experience the sport he loves. His devoted mentors stepped in to handle preparation and scouting, making sure everything came together seamlessly.
Before dawn, the young hunters, accompanied by mentors and parents, quietly made their way to blinds set up on private property. Many were eager to hear and see their first gobbler. Inside the blinds, they listened and watched as mentors skillfully used turkey calls to draw birds from the surrounding woods.
The morning’s excitement began early. Guided by his mentor, Joe Davis, seven-year-old Zachary became the first hunter to tag a turkey at 6:57 AM. Sharing the blind with his father and Joe made it a true team effort. Zachary was thrilled to hear the first gobble and held perfectly still as a lone turkey approached the decoys. When the bird looked his way, Zachary took the shot and celebrated with a triumphant “Yes!” He was amazed by the turkey’s fluffy feathers when he touched it for the first time. Zachary’s advice to future hunters is to stay quiet and only move when the turkey looks away—turkeys have incredibly sharp eyesight. His bird weighed 24.1 pounds, with two beards measuring 9 7/8 and 5 3/4 inches, and spurs 1 1/8 inches long.
Erick, age 12, shared the blind with his mom and his mentor, Rick Vandrew. He described hearing the first gobble as deeply satisfying, with turkeys calling from both across the field and behind them. Eventually, one turkey came into view—Erick spotted it out of the corner of his eye as it strutted twice before sprinting 120 yards to their decoys. The action was fast: the bird jumped onto a decoy and began attacking, giving Erick the perfect shot at 7:06 AM. Seeing the turkey up close, Erick said, made him very happy—“My wish came true.” He emphasized that the most important lessons he learned were to dress warmly and practice patience. His turkey weighed 22.14 pounds, with an 8 1/2-inch beard and spurs just over 3/4 inch long.
Kiera shared the blind with her longtime mentor, Gerry Grim—who has been part of the group hunt since its inception—and assistant Gavin Smith. Reflecting on her experience, Kiera recalled the excitement of hearing the first gobble, describing it as an instant adrenaline rush. She watched attentively as the mentors called in the birds, determined to make a clean shot when the moment came. Two turkeys eventually appeared together, but they avoided the decoys, forcing Kiera to remain patient despite her eagerness and racing pulse. After a long wait, she finally had the chance to take her shot—and she made it count. Kiera’s favorite part of her turkey was its beard, and she emphasized the importance of dressing in layers for changing weather, noting that another turkey could always try to steal your turkey away. She tagged an impressive tom weighing 23 pounds, with an 8 5/8-inch beard and 1-inch spurs.
Lauren, 15, sat in the blind with her mother, Colleen, and her mentor, Donald Hall, who has been involved in the hunt since its inception. Colleen shared, “Lauren was thrilled to see Donald as her mentor—she was smiling from the moment she spotted him. Over the years at USSA Summer Fest, they’ve formed a special bond, and I never know whose smile is bigger when they’re at the range. This hunt was a dream come true for Lauren. She enjoyed listening to turkeys at daybreak, loved using the calls—especially hearing Donald call—and nothing made her smile wider than the sound of the shot. The morning was mostly quiet until, around 11 a.m., six jakes crossed the field. Once one was in her sights, Lauren pulled the trigger and let out a big ‘yeah!’ with her trademark smile. Lauren may not speak much, but her excitement is unmistakable—the miles of smiles say it all.” Her turkey weighed 15.15 pounds, had a 4-inch beard, and 1/4-inch spurs.
By the time the first opening day hunt ended at 1:00 pm, four turkeys had been successfully tagged. Two more hunters looked forward to returning for the next day’s hunt, eager for their own shot at success.
Sunday morning couldn’t come soon enough for 12-year-old Hunter, who sat in the blind with his father, Ethan, and mentor Dakota Hall. Anticipation filled the air as they listened for the first signs of movement. When the first gobble echoed across the field, Hunter’s excitement grew. Two turkeys soon approached the decoys, and Hunter remained calm as they strutted nearby. At 8:30 AM, one stepped closer, giving Hunter the perfect shot. Dakota and his father broke into cheers: “He’s down!” Hunter was most impressed by the bird’s spurs and offered this advice for first-time hunters: “Aim for the head and sit still.” He learned the importance of patience. His turkey weighed 26 pounds, had an 11-inch beard, and spurs measuring 1 and 7/16 inches.
Theodore, age 12, waited patiently in the blind with his mother and mentor Dave Chapman for a turkey to appear. Along the way, they spotted a pheasant, adding to the anticipation. The excitement peaked when he heard the first gobble—nerves and eagerness mixing as the turkey approached. Staying perfectly still was challenging, but Theodore remained focused, ready for his moment. When the turkey stood and stretched its neck, Theodore took the shot at 10:30 AM. Seeing the turkey up close for the first time was awe-inspiring. Reflecting on the experience, Theodore shared his top advice for new hunters: “Try not to close your eyes when you pull the trigger.” He also noted that patience is key—sometimes you wait a long time, but when the opportunity comes, it’s go time. Theodore was the last of the group to harvest his turkey, tagging a tom that weighed 20.11 pounds with a 3 3/4-inch beard and 1/4-inch spurs. By the end of the hunt, every participant had filled their tag—an incredible achievement for both the hunters and their mentors.
Terry Day reflected, “It was incredible to witness everyone coming together to make this hunt such a success. What made me happiest was being present for every important moment—when the kids arrived at camp, at the meet-and-greet, when they went out, and when they came back with their birds. I joined them for the major meals. When nothing special was happening, I’d go home and rest, but I made sure to be there for all the meaningful events. That’s why I don’t mentor anymore—I want to see all the kids come in with their turkeys being there for those moments means everything to me.”
Congratulations to everyone who harvested their first turkey this year—may it be the beginning of a lifelong tradition. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Terry Day, our dedicated mentors and volunteers, generous landowners and donors, and the NWTF Rock River Turkey Chapter. Your generosity and commitment have made this hunt possible for the past fifteen years, and we look forward to many more successful seasons. God bless!