I had the distinct pleasure to meet Rich Williams of the Arizona Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation at the HAHWG event that I went to back in January. Rich got to talking about the Junior Turkey Hunting Camps that the NWTF puts on every year and invited me to come up and see what the NWTF is all about. There are several Junior Turkey Hunting Camps put on in Arizona, depending on where a junior hunter draws their tag, and each camp is 100% free of charge for the hunter and their family to come up and enjoy. The camp provides the hunter and their family with food, a mentor hunter who heads out into the field with the junior hunter and their guardian, giveaways/raffles, seminars, and a great atmosphere to enjoy the outdoors.
So Friday after work, with my truck loaded and ready to go, I headed north to check out the Marvin Robbins Memorial Juniors Turkey Hunting Camp at Colcord Ridge Campground. As I shook hands with some old friends, a truck pulled up with a successful junior hunter (pictured below). After the high-fives and handshakes were over the youth hunter (Ben) relayed the exploits of the afternoon. Ben had done all the calling himself and when the first gobbler presented himself, Ben let loose with his shotgun and bagged his first Merriams tom. He was cool, calm and collected and recounted the story like an old pro.
After setting up my tent, I toured around the camp, checking out all the different things that were offered to hunters and non-hunters who were in camp. The Arizona Elk Society graciously had set up and done all the cooking for the weekend. Even though this was not an elk hunting camp, it showed that promoting the heritage of hunting is important, no matter what style or species you like to hunt. The Arizona Elk Society did a fantastic job feeding all the people in camp and the food was absolutely delicious.
There were other activities going on while the hunters trickled back into camp. The Arizona Game and Fish had set up a small archery course for those who wanted to fling a few arrows. The Phoenix Varmit Callers showed up and did a short seminar on predator calling, and Mike Stewart, from Arizona Flycasters, and I did a brief fly casting demonstration and talked about fly fishing in Arizona. The goal of the camp was to not only give junior hunters a great experience in the field, but to introduce non-hunters to the outdoors in a positive way.
Hunters trickled back into camp and dinner was served by the Arizona Elk Society. Camp came alive as hunters relayed the stories of the afternoon and comparing notes on turkey activity. Several birds had been harvested that day, and it was one of the amazing experiences to see a young hunter’s animated face as they recounted the experiences in the field.
Even though this is a “Turkey Hunting Camp” put on by the Arizona Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation, multiple organizations were represented in a collaborative effort to make it happen. Arizona Elk Society, Arizona Flycasters, Arizona Game and Fish, Hunt of a Lifetime Arizona Chapter, and Phoenix Varmit Callers were a few of the several organizations represented at the camp.
After dinner, hunters poured over maps and discussed plans for the morning hunt. Turkeys had been responsive throughout the day, and many hunters had roosted birds in hopes of finding them in the same spot in the morning.
Brenda Valentine, “The First Lady of Hunting”, made an appearance at the Colcord Ridge Camp.
I was honored to meet up with Matt Minshall from Hunt of a Lifetime, and he asked if I’d be interested in heading out in the morning with his group. I jumped at the chance and made plans to head out with a youth hunter, Josh and his older brother.
We were ready to go at 4 in the morning and out of the truck, we walked a couple hundred yards and blew on the old crow call. Immediately, we heard a gobble a bit deeper in the woods. We made several setups and called to the bird, but were unsuccessful at fooling the gobbler. We walked quite a bit and were able to get some responses, but it seemed most of the birds were “henned up” and not interested in coming in to investigate our calls.
Midday Saturday consisted of lunch, a couple of special seminars, a fly casting demonstration, and then gearing up for the evening hunt. Saturday was a tough day of hunting and unfortunately, no one in camp was able to call in any birds. That all changed on Sunday.
After a long day on Saturday, I had plans to head out early on Sunday for some early fishing before heading home. My plans were thwarted when I found out there was french toast and sausage for breakfast. I hung around a bit, ate breakfast and talked to some of the folks who were milling around camp. Before I left, two youth hunters came into camp with beautiful gobblers. They were all smiles as they told the tales of calling in these toms.
As I left camp, I could not help but feel as if I had been a part of something important and timeless. The Arizona Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation is actively sharing the joy and heritage of hunting with youth hunters. Other organizations involved in the HAHWG are doing the same thing.
If you are looking to get involved with mentoring new hunters or if you are interested in getting started hunting, there are opportunities all across the great state of Arizona. I actively am trying to share these on Facebook and the Arizona Outdoor Events Calendar. The Arizona Game and Fish Department also posts this information on their site. As Rich Williams shared with me this weekend, “Someone took the time to teach you the joy of hunting. Who are you going to share it with?”
Wow. Turkey Hunting is a difficult sport here in the Upper Midwest. The regulation notes here claim that only 2O percent of hunters are successful and the turkey population drops off as one travels north. Were there any 20 gauges or other small bore guns?
RF, Most of the guns I was seeing were 12s, although in the midst of all the people who were there, I’m sure there were a couple of 20 gauges present. Turkey hunting is just as tough here in AZ. At our particular camp (there were multiple throughout the state) we had 61 youth hunters throughout the weekend and 6 birds brought back to camp. Everybody heard birds, some missed some opportunities, but everyone had a good time.
Ben
Wonderful summary and photo essay Ben. We had just as much fun and success at the 6A camp, about 10%. We are so furtunate to have meet you. Azwanderings.com is a great resource and network for spreading the word. 2012-13 events will be listed at http://www.azgfd.gov/outdoorskills, and to learn more or to get involved with the Hunting &Angling Heritage Workgroup check out http://www.azgfd.gov/hahwg. Keep up the great work.
Thanks Doug. I appreciate the kind words on the article. Many thanks to Game and Fish for all they do.
Ben
Ben, I want to thank you for placing your review of and attending the Arizona Youth Camp out on your site for others to see. I participate as a mentor in Rich’s (NWTF) camp with many of the volunteers and have a wonderfully incredible experience. We share both with the children and the adults to create an ongoing outdoor heritage that includes camping, hunting and sportsmanship. The lessons on safety, hunting ethics and game conservation makes a difference for our future generations. Thank you again.
Thank you Bill. I was blown away by the mentors and their generous donations of time to these young hunters. It was very cool to see the interactions between the two. Thanks again.
Ben
Ben, I was just north of the NWTF camp at youth camp hosted by Matt Woodward of Borderland Adventures. My first time chasing turkeys. I was filming. Very similar experience. Got into birds, but none were interested in coming closer. It’s a tough hunt. We did have one kid at camp get a bird with a bow from a ground blind. We got back to the blind about three hours later, and in the time we were gone, another bird had come in and DESTROYED the decoy. It was good times. Plus, I carved out some time to fish Canyon Creek.
Very cool Jay. Sounds like a good weekend all around. How did Canyon Creek fish for you?
Ben
Jay,
I have known Matt since he was a baby. Tell him hello for me. Last time I saw him was turkey hunting in unit 23. Nothing better than spring turkey hunting.
Rich Williams
Ben,, it was once again a pleasure to see you in yet another camp. Thank you for donating your time to take a novice turkey hunter out as well as teaching young Jim and myself the basics of fly fishing. I am hooked on getting a fly rig, when will the carp fly’s be up on your site? I look forward to seeing you at the next Camp. Everyone remember if you or someone you know who is unable to use their AZ. Hunting tag, they can donate the tag to a child who has been diagnosed with a life threatening illness.
Thank you,
Matt Minshall
Hunt Of A Lifetime Foundation, Ambassador AZ., N.M.
It was good hanging out with you too Matt and I really appreciate the opportunity to hunt with you and the youth hunters. It was an awesome way to spend the weekend. Carp flies? Check these out. Simi-Seal Buggers are about all I use.
http://azwanderings.com/shop/product_info.php?products_id=34&osCsid=cb66360112bbe86695f25372b7e34b03
Thanks again.
Ben
My wife and i have been a part of this outing for three years now. We as a business have donated a free fan, wings and beard mount to each of the camps every year. We invite you to visit this great camp next year, get to know everyone that puts a lot of time and effort into making this camp a success, not just the clubs but all the businesses. Thank you Grady Smith Arizona Wings Taxidermy
Grady,
Thank you very much for your help with the camp. your It is great to see so many clubs and businesses working together for these youth hunters.
Ben
Ben,
I was very impressed by the entire experience. Like many city people, I had no idea of the opportunities available to kids who want to experience outdoor adventures such as this.
These people whose knowledge of the outdoors, gun safety, and successful hunting techniques, along with their passion and dedication to passing this heritage along to the next generation assures me that Arizona’s future is in good hands.
I so much enjoyed watching, listening, and being a part of a great thing. I look forward to future events and helping other kids get thier chance to do something truly life changing.
Mike,
I aggree. It truly is amazing how much work went into this camp and it is awesome to see how many opportunities are available to young outdoorsmen. It is great to see these mentors working with the next generation. It was good getting to know you even better and I look forward to many more camps together.
Ben
Great job compiling an overview of another successful camp! I’ll be back mentoring again next year, hope to see you then…or at the nwtf banquet in July!
Thanks for the kind words Dave. Look forward to seeing you in the future.
Ben