For the past eighteen years, the annual turkey hunt organized by the United Sportsmen’s Alliance (USSA) in Junction City, Wisconsin, has been praised for its volunteer spirit and community support. A dedicated team of mentors, along with generous landowners and volunteers, ensures a successful and enjoyable experience for all participants.
On the day before the learn-to-hunt turkey season, twelve novice hunters—one adult, two veterans, and nine youths—gathered at the Meade Wildlife Center with their experienced mentors. After their classroom and field training, they were prepared to head into the field early the following day.
Just before dawn, the enthusiastic hunters, accompanied by their mentors and family members, made their way to their hunting blinds on private property, excitedly anticipating their first chance to hunt for an elusive gobbler. They closely observed their experienced mentors as they skillfully employed various turkey calls to attract the gobblers.
With the assistance of her mentors, Marlon and Mark, Callie Jo successfully bagged the first turkey at 6:20 AM. It weighed 22.7 lbs, featured a 10-inch beard, and had 3/4-inch spurs. At 6:50 AM, Dominic, along with his mentors Johnny and Jack, bagged a tom that weighed 21.4 lbs, with a 9.44-inch beard and 3/4-inch spurs. Twelve minutes later, at 7:02 AM, Holden, with mentors Bill and Russ, successfully bagged a turkey weighing 19.5 lbs, which had a 7.5-inch beard and 3/4-inch spurs.
At 7:31 AM, Lucas and his mentors, Zach and Abe, successfully bagged a big tom that weighed 24 lbs, had a 9.75-inch beard, and 1/2-inch spurs. Then, at 8:25 AM, Zaden, accompanied by his mentors, Anthony and Mike, successfully bagged a bird that weighed 22.25 lbs, had a 9 1/8-inch beard, and 1-inch spurs. At 9:40 AM, Harry, along with his mentors, Mike and Chad, also bagged a nice turkey that weighed 15.87 lbs with a 4-inch beard and 1/2-inch spurs.
Next, at 11:36 AM, Finn and his mentors, Bob and Ryan, bagged a nice tom weighing 22.3 lbs, which had a 9-inch beard and 1-inch spurs. Finally, an hour later, at 12:35 AM, Ivan, with his mentors, Ryan and Jerik, bagged a huge tom weighing 25 lbs, featuring an 8 1/2-inch beard and 3/4-inch spurs.
Everyone at the camp was filled with excitement as the mentors and their special hunters returned with their turkeys to weigh them on the scale and measure their beard and spurs. The crowd took pictures and congratulated the hunters. They enjoyed a delicious lunch, sharing photos and videos on their cell phones as they celebrated the incredible morning hunt. Meanwhile, two kids and two veterans who had not yet bagged a turkey headed back to the field, hoping to shoot a nice tom.
At 3:25 PM, veteran Randy and his mentors, Jeff and Travis, successfully bagged a turkey that weighed 12.3 pounds. It sported a 3-inch beard and 1/4-inch spurs. Randy recounted, ” I missed a big tom this morning right off the get-go, but we saw more birds, so we didn’t spook them too badly. After lunch, we decided to try a different spot. As soon as we arrived, the birds were all around us, and it wasn’t long before I bagged my first bird. It turned out to be a great location, and we even spotted four deer near the blind. My favorite part of the entire hunt was making new friends, like my mentors.”
Then, at 4:30 PM, Bella and her mentors, Chris and Zach, bagged a nice tom that weighed 20.5 lbs, featuring a 10-inch beard and 7/8-inch spurs. Chris explained, “A couple of hens came in on the right side of the blind, and then two toms, but they were too far away. We kept looking, and a third tom came walking, and it was within range. Bella got right on it and took it down in one shot.” Bella added, “I was so happy that I was giving everybody high fives!”
The Sunday morning hunt couldn’t come soon enough for the last two special hunters eager to bag their first turkey. At 7:10 AM, veteran Dale, along with his mentors Isaac and Raymond, successfully bagged a nice turkey that weighed 20.4 lbs and had an 11-inch beard with ¾-inch spurs. Unfortunately, the last hunter was unable to bag a bird that morning, but she wasn’t ready to give up!
After lunch, Anyka and her mentors returned to their blind. At 3:20 PM, good news quickly spread back to camp: Anyka and her mentors, Jeremy and Jess, had successfully bagged a nice tom weighing 20.8 lbs, with a beard measuring 11.75 inches and 3/4-inch spurs. The excitement in their hunting blind was exhilarating.
Callie Jo added, “This was my first time hunting, and watching the turkey come through the field was an experience beyond words. Being with others who share a similar background, such as having disabilities, and making new friends while engaging in something we are all excited about was truly special. I am incredibly thankful for this experience and look forward to hunting again.”
The event also instilled a strong sense of patriotism throughout its duration. On Friday, the Marine Corps Honor Guard from Plover held a dignified flag-raising ceremony that set a respectful tone for the occasion. On Sunday, Mike Worzalla from Amvets in Plover guided the volunteer veterans and veteran hunter participants in honoring the significance of the event by lowering the flag, creating a poignant moment for all those involved.
Congratulations to all hunters for bagging their first turkey! We extend our gratitude to the mentors, volunteers, landowners, and donors for their unwavering commitment and financial contributions, which made these hunting trips possible. God bless!
If you are a landowner interested in mentoring a child or donating your property for a special hunt, please contact us at [email protected] or (800) 518-8019.