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Broadside Adventures Pro-staff member Wil Askew put his turkey hunting expertise to the test when he was asked to speak at the annual Youth Turkey Hunting Seminar. The Oregon Hunters Association teams with Portland area volunteers to produce one of the finest learning experiences for novice turkey hunters in the Northwest. Kids and parents from Oregon and Washington converge on the White River managment area for this weekend event where everything from calling to shooting is covered in first class fashion. “I would like to extend a warm Thank You to the Oregon Hunters Association for inviting me to return to speak once again”, explains Askew. “This is my third year being involved and I am amazed at how much effort is put forth to ensure that every kid and parent who attends is completely satisfied. I am always honored when they ask me to come back and speak about turkey hunting to all who attend.
For the past couple years, the efforts of the Hood View chapter of OHA based in the Dalles, has created an event to help pass along the passion of turkey hunting. On a crisp, cool April morning, families converge on a small camping spot in the White River Game Management unit as visions of gobbling toms race through their heads. Seated around a large fire are stories being told that involve yelps, cutt’s and fly down cackles, plenty of laughs and of course photos of the one that didn’t get away. It’s a new generation of turkey hunters and oddly enough some of the young guns have just as much, if not more experience that most adults.
Fred Walasavage, his wife Renee and numerous chapter volunteers spend countless hours organizing the event. Early registration is definitely encouraged as nearly 100 youth with the turkey hunting itch make the drive through the Dufur Valley to sharpen their skills on various turkey calls and get a chance to shoot a 20 gauge shotgun at a stationary paper target that resembles a turkey. Seminar speakers such as Wil Askew; a former state and regional turkey calling champion, Rick Williams; OHA State Chapter Vice President, local game officers and others help bring the expertise front and center as kids are broken into groups to help ensure good one-on-one experiences. Topics covered in the all-day seminar range from learning how to use various turkey calls such as box calls, slate calls and some mouth calling techniques. These classes are followed by a personal hands on demonstration between student and teacher as the get the feel of what the call should be doing in order to make the sounds that are needed to bring a mature tom in close.
For those seeking to experience this event, you can visit www.oregonyouthturkeyhunt.com for registration information, maps and everything you need to be ready for the youth weekend.
