Easter Pheasant Hunt |
USDA Forest Service continues discounts at campgrounds
USDA Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell announced his decision not to implement proposed changes to fees charged to holders of passes at Forest Service campgrounds operated by private businesses. The chief’s decision means seniors and people with disabilities will continue to receive a discount at Forest Service campgrounds run by private concessions.
The Forest Service had proposed changes to discounts provided to holders of Golden Age and Golden Access Passports, as well as Senior and Access Passes. Under the proposal, discounts at concession-operated campgrounds would have changed from the current 50 percent to 10 percent. After considering many public comments, the chief determined the proposed changes are not the best way to address growing challenges regarding services provided by private businesses at Forest Service recreation facilities.
Seniors ages 62 and older pay a one-time $10 fee for the Senior Pass. Lifetime Access Passes for people with disabilities are free. Concessioners are not required to accept passes at day-use sites.
Sink your “talons” into this opportunity
The second annual spring turkey hunt hosted by Talon Outdoors, in conjunction with the NWTF’s Lowndes Longspurs paired 15 disabled hunters with 15 guides, landowners and assistants for a day afield. Talon Outdoors, a volunteer organization, hosts this event and others throughout the year for those who don’t have the ability or space to hunt on their own.
Del Glenn, a native of Tennessee, said he spent most of his youth in the outdoors hunting various game. After becoming disabled, Glenn outfitted his walker with hunting equipment but getting to his deer stand can take 45 minutes to an hour, he said. The guides and hunters have golf carts at this hunt, making the traveling time much shorter and less strenuous, he said.
Marcus Rogers participated in the inaugural hunt and saw five turkeys, but missed bringing one home, which he chalked up to nerves and his first time hunting turkey. Accompanied by his grandfather, Rogers said he hunted for most of his life. Rogers said he got out of hunting 10 years ago when he couldn’t find anyone to go with him.
“Then I met Tim and we started this stuff,” Rogers said. “It’s just an opportunity to get out and do something I enjoy.”
Participants in the various Talon Outdoors events sign up on a first come, first served basis. Sprott, Glenn and Rogers have been to every event Talon Outdoors has hosted, and Keller said they have become great spokesmen for the events.
Talon Outdoors is developing a saltwater fishing event to the Gulf of Mexico and hopes to host its first deer hunting excursion this fall. — Johnna Pinholster, The Valdosta Daily Times
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Barney Skogerson, Joe Shoen, Steve Eccard, Jacob Thomas, Patrick Thomas and Juan Menchaca manned the Wheelin’ Sportsmen exhibit at the Idaho Sportsman’s Show. |
Wheelin’ Sportsmen at the Idaho Sportsman’s Show
For the first time, Idaho Wheelin’ Sportsmen volunteers staffed an information booth at the annual Idaho Sportsman’s Show, March 4-7.
The main sportsman’s show for the area features a wide variety of sporting goods companies and organizations for the outdoor enthusiast. About 20,000 visitors attend each year.
The sponsors of the event, Spectra Productions, provided the booth space to Idaho Wheelin’ Sportsmen free of charge.
Thirteen volunteers staffed the booth, ncluding members of the Idaho Wheelin’ Sportsmen committee, the Department of Veterans Affairs, Disabled American Veterans and the Idaho Department of Fish and Game.
The group held fund-raising raffles and presented a seminar describing the mission and activities of Idaho Wheelin’ Sportsmen, which was presented by Idaho Coordinator Rob Brazie and Idaho Chapter President Patrick Thomas.
Items donated for the raffles included handmade turkey box calls, duck calls and goose calls by Rich Button of Pacific Flyway Company; the Turkey-Lure, a manually operated decoy motion platform by Marty Cramer, inventor and manufacturer of the device; and a CVA Buckhorn 50-caliber blackpowder rifle provided by Blackpowder Products, Inc.
Piedmont Chapter sponsors quail hunt
The Piedmont Chapter in South Carolina, USDA Forest Service, The Clinton House Shooting Preserve and Academy Sports teamed up to hold a Wheelin’ Sportsmen quail hunt Feb. 23 at The Clinton House Shooting Preserve in Clinton, S.C.
Twelve hunters participated in a fun-filled day of sporting clays, quail hunting and fellowship.