07/01/2010
Fall Dove Hunts to Offer Exceptional Hunting Experience
EDGEFIELD, S.C. — People with disabilities, youth and women can enjoy a fun-filled day in the outdoors at the National Wild Turkey Federation's annual outreach dove hunts in Trenton, S.C., this coming fall.
The hunts begin on Sept. 8 with the Wheelin' Sportsmen hunt, which will be followed by the JAKES (Juniors Acquiring Knowledge, Ethics and Sportsmanship) hunt on Sept. 25, and the Women in the Outdoors hunt on Oct. 6.
Thanks to the South Carolina Forestry Commission (SCFC), the participating hunters will test their wing-shooting skills at the SCFC's Taylor Nursery - home to some of the finest dove hunting habitat in the Southeast.
The NWTF's Wheelin' Sportsmen, JAKES and Women in the Outdoors and outreach programs help people enjoy the outdoors by hosting educational, hands-on events throughout North America. These three dove hunts are designed to introduce new people to hunting and conservation, and to help members of the programs form lasting friendships. Upon registering, each hunt participant will receive a one-year membership into one of the three programs.
For more about each of the outreach programs, visit http://www.nwtf.org/outreach.html.
These three incredible hunts are perfect for anyone interested in hunting or learning to hunt. All participants must meet all South Carolina licensing requirements and provide a legal firearm and ammunition to participate.
"Part of the NWTF's mission is preserving our hunting heritage," said Tom Hughes, NWTF assistant vice president of education and outreach. "We accomplish this by sharing exciting outdoor activities like dove hunting with groups of people who might not get to experience them otherwise. These hunts will be an amazing adventure for the participants thanks to the hard work and donations contributed by our generous partners."
Along with the SCFC's generous donation of land for the hunts, Southern States Cooperative in Johnston contributed seed and herbicide, and Ridge Farmers Cooperative in Ridge Spring donated fertilizer; all to be used to enhance the habitat a Taylor Nursery before the hunts.
Youth with little or no prior dove hunting experience are encouraged to register for the JAKES hunt. Each youth will be accompanied by a mentor and will participate in a pre-hunt safety seminar and shooting practice.
For the two adult hunts, the NWTF will partner with Hunting With a Hero, a nonprofit organization based in South Carolina that rewards active duty soldiers for their service by providing them with hunting opportunities alongside civilians. In 2009, four of 14 participants in the Women in the Outdoors dove hunt traveled to Trenton from Fort Bragg, N.C., where they were serving on active duty with the United States Army.
For inquiries about participating in one of the dove hunts, call (800) THE-NWTF and ask to speak with one of the NWTF's three outreach program coordinators. To learn more about these and other NWTF outreach events in South Carolina, click here.
