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About WilliamHometown: Norwood, N.C. |
Q&A with William Hatley
A 1986 automobile accident hasn’t kept William from hosting Wheelin’ events and helping wildlife through the NWTF’s Conservation Seed Program.
NWTF: William, tell us a little about your background and how you got interested in the outdoors.
William Hatley: I grew up hunting and fishing with my family. And I’ve always lived in the country, so I’ve always been interested in the outdoors.
NWTF: How did you get involved volunteering with the NWTF?
WH: Back in 2002, Stanly County (N.C.) didn’t have an NWTF chapter. An NWTF regional director asked me if I would be interested in starting one. I said no right off the bat. But as I talked to friends and family who have been supportive in keeping me active in the outdoors, they said, “If you want to start a chapter, we’ll help. We’ll do it together.” So I started the Stanly Chapter in 2002. In 2003, we won the NWTF’s award for the best new chapter in North Carolina.
NWTF: What originally made you want to join the NWTF?
WH: We didn’t have a lot of turkeys in North Carolina, and I knew the NWTF was a good organization that had great success with the conservation and restoration of the wild turkey.
NWTF: How often do you turkey hunt?
WH: I don’t get to turkey hunt an awful lot, but my kids are a big reason I continue to hunt. I don’t get to sit behind the gun often. My kids always ask, “Daddy, are you going to call for me?” So I usually sit behind the call.
NWTF: For people who don’t understand what turkey hunting is about, what makes the sport so addictive?
WH: Hearing the bird gobble back at you and seeing his reaction to the call. I remember the first bird I called in for one of my sons. It was raining, and my son was in the ground blind. I couldn’t get in the blind, so I was in an old hog barn. This bird flew down in front of me and my second oldest son was so excited to see the show of the bird coming to him! When that no longer happens, it’s time to quit hunting. Just when you think you’ve got those turkeys figured out, they’ll make you think quite a bit differently.
NWTF: You use the NWTF Conservation Seed Program to help manage your property.
WH: Yes, I have used the seed program to plant food plots throughout my property for deer, turkey and wildlife in general. I get corn, soybeans and chufa through the NWTF, which helps tremendously with the cost of purchasing seed. I would definitely recommend other property owners check into the NWTF’s seed program.
NWTF: What does it take to host Wheelin’ Sportsmen events that are fun and keep people coming back?
WH: It takes community support and having individuals involved who enjoy doing the same things and want to help.
Three years ago, I hosted a successful Wheelin’ Sportsmen event with more than 30 participants from seven states. And, unfortunately, when a lot of individuals participate in an event like that, it’s the only time they will get to hunt that year.
Wheelin’ Sportsmen events are about camaraderie and just having the experience — and learning about and talking to one another. I really enjoy seeing all the grins and hearing the laughter.
It’s so easy for people who have been injured to give up, and I think that is very sad. A lot of them don’t have the same support I’ve had, but they just haven’t gotten involved with the right group to help them push forward yet. The Wheelin’ Sportsmen NWTF program helps people do just that.
NWTF: What measures do you take to ensure that you have a safe event for your participants?
WH: It is of the utmost importance that an event coordinator knows if a participant will not feel comfortable in a shooting situation. It’s also important to have a good, level location going into a blind or getting into a deer stand or a turkey setup. I’m quadriplegic, and if I’m off balance in my wheelchair, I’m not going to hunt in that particular location.
I’ve been to hunts where the host offers to put me on an all-terrain vehicle, but I’m not comfortable unless I’m in my wheelchair. If I get off balance or am not in my comfort zone, I immediately take my finger off the trigger and will not shoot. Participants must be confident they can comfortably shoot at whatever they’re hunting. If they’re not sure they can shoot well in the position they’re in, their position should be changed so they’re not in an unsafe situation.
NWTF: Why should people join the NWTF?
WH: People should join and help support youth who are just getting interested in the outdoors, because the youth are our future. If our youth don’t get the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors experience, the anti-hunting groups will succeed. The NWTF has been successful at restocking turkey populations, helping with hunting issues, buying easements and helping open doors for handicapped, women and youth to get involved in the outdoors. Our military sacrifice their lives so we can have the freedoms we have. It’s our God-given right to enjoy the outdoors. — Melanie Swearingen