The Almond Rod and Gun Club looks forward to its annual turkey hunt, an event dedicated to honoring the veterans who have selflessly served our country. Extensive preparations are made beforehand, including securing the hunting grounds, arranging for mentors, and coordinating with volunteers, to ensure a smooth and enriching experience for all participants.
Shortly after noon on April 4th, 2025, twelve enthusiastic veterans gathered at Camp Helen Brachman in Almond, Wisconsin. They enjoyed meaningful camaraderie over a delicious dinner while discussing their upcoming turkey hunts with fellow veterans, mentors, and club members.
At around a quarter past six the next morning, veteran Jim, assisted by his mentors Cole Warzynski and Matt Jackowski, successfully bagged a turkey, creating a significant atmosphere of enthusiasm inside the hunting blind.
Paul, a combat veteran, was excited when his mentors, Jeremy Moe and Bob Russell, helped him attract a nice turkey with their calls. The bird approached the decoys set up in front of their blind, and Paul made a perfect shot before long. Later, veteran Brian from Illinois and his mentors Jarrett and Judd also managed to bag a nice gobbler.
Army veteran Scott was thrilled when he bagged a tom with mentors Chris Dunn and Kenneth Smith. Veteran Alyssa was equally elated when her mentors, Billy Klabunde and Jaydon Schubert, successfully called in a nice gobbler for her.
Veteran Reina traveled from California to seize the opportunity to bag a turkey. When the turkey came into view, she made a perfect shot. The joy and satisfaction on her face were evident as she celebrated this achievement with her mentors, Eric Beggs and Mike Lukas, expressing her gratitude for their support and guidance throughout the hunt.
Veteran James traveled from Missouri with hopes of bagging a turkey. Luck was on his side when his skilled mentors, Chris Leary and Logan Moe, successfully called in a beautiful tom. His marksmanship paid off when he shot the turkey, leading to excitement among everyone present.
Another Missouri veteran, Jeremy, was thrilled to bag a bird in Wisconsin. His mentors, Jeff Davis and Randy Yonke, called the bird into the decoys, and not long after, he successfully bagged a nice tom.
Army Veteran Chadwick from Tennessee and his mentors, John Turzynski and Dakota Lenske, had a turkey just 6 yards in front of them. It was so close to the blind that they could hear it walking while they recorded the moment on camera. The anticipation in the blind was palpable when Chadwick made a perfect shot and successfully bagged his tom.
Veteran Kyle and his mentors, Graham and Arich, didn’t get on a bird on Saturday. However, on Sunday morning, mentor Jarrett Morgan stepped up and called in a gobbler just four yards from the blind.
Overall, six birds were bagged on Saturday morning, followed by three more in the afternoon and one more on Sunday morning. Ten turkeys bagged out of twelve hunts is an outstanding success rate!
Congratulations to the veterans for their successful turkey hunts! We extend our heartfelt thanks to the Almond Rod and Gun Club, mentors, volunteers, donors, landowners, and Camp Helen Brachman for providing quality hunts for these special veterans who have sacrificed to protect our freedom. Your support is invaluable and deeply appreciated. God bless!
If you are a landowner interested in mentoring a veteran or donating your property to a veteran, please contact us at [email protected] or (800) 518-8019.