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Mike Pancerev

About Mike

Hometown: Waterford, Pa.
NWTF Chapter: James E. Wilhelm Chapter in Edinboro, Pa. "It's one of the oldest NWTF chapters in the country," he said.
NWTF Involvement: Make has been an NWTF member for more than 20 years and served as chapter president and banquet committee chairman.
Special Information: Mike and his wife, Cindy, have two standard poodles, Briley and Cody.

Q&A with Mike Pancerev

This longtime NWTF volunteer loves the annual sporting clays competition but his commitment to the organization goes beyond the course.

Turkey Country: How long have you attended the Turkey Shoot?

Mike Pancerev: Eight years ago, Rhett Simmons [NWTF director of special programs] and Jason Morrow, a former TV producer for the NWTF, invited me down to the shoot. Jason had come to Pennsylvania to video the JAKES Hunt of a Lifetime and learned that I was into sporting clays.

TC: So why do you keep going back?

MP: It's an excellent shoot with great people. And it's fun. I've made a lot of friends there, and it is professionally organized. Plus, there's potential to win an extraordinary amount of prizes. No other shoot gives away 110 guns.

TC: What's your favorite Turkey Shoot memory?

MP: I sat next to a guy during the banquet part of the shoot, and it seemed like he was winning everything. He looked at me, shrugged and said, "I'm sorry." I responded, "Don't worry, I'm going to win the top prize!" And I did, an NWTF Gun of the Year.

TC: You not only compete at the Turkey Shoot, you volunteer as well. Why?

MP: The NWTF has done more for wildlife than any other organization, hands down. Turkeys are everywhere in Pennsylvania now, and as a hunter I'm on the receiving end of that effort. So I like to give back and help when I can. Plus, it's a lot of fun.

TC: Do you volunteer at any other NWTF events?

MP: We're planning a youth shooting event through the Scholastic Clay Target Program and JAKES Take Aim. It might sound cliché but the youth are our future — the future of hunting and shooting sports. We need the new ideas of youth to help our sports flourish and continue on.

TC: What's your favorite aspect of the NWTF?

MP: The habitat and conservation work the NWTF does. It's easy to see the benefit. I like riding by the field I helped plant as a volunteer and see wildlife using them. That's really cool.