Sportsmen and women honor veterans with annual turkey hunt

This year’s spring turkey season closed at noon on May 31, just one week after we celebrated Memorial Day and honored those who gave “the last full measure” for our freedom.

As we approach Flag Day and the 250th anniversary of the founding of our country, it’s a good time to reflect and give thanks to those who fought and continue to fight to protect our great nation. I’m speaking of course of the men and women of our military: our veterans.

The Northern Catskills Longbeards Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) along with its parters, extends their thanks each year to veterans who have sacrificed their wellbeing by taking them turkey hunting in May, and bear hunting in September. NWTF Chapter President Bob Monteleone gathers his fellow chapter “Longbeards” and other volunteers to put on world class, free, guided spring wild turkey and early season bear hunts for disabled veterans.

This year’s veteran’s turkey hunt took place at the beginning of May and was particularly successful. Nine veterans harvested nine toms over the first weekend of the season.

Congratulations are in order for their success, which was not only due to their patience and skill, but to the hard work and woodsmanship of local NWTF Longbeards chapter volunteers. The Northern Catskills Longbeards NWTF Chapter sponsors the annual veteran’s turkey and bear hunts providing all the logistics and meals for veterans who are gathered from across our nation by organizations like Break of Day Outdoor Ministries and Band of Heroes Outdoors. Free lodging is provided for the vets by the folks at Sunny Hill Resort and Golf Course in Greenville. NWTF and New York Bowhunter member Ed Gorch has helped the Nicholsen family at Sunny Hill coordinate their generous donation to the event for quite a number of years now. The vets need only to get themselves to Greene County and the volunteers take care of the rest.

The final gathering of the weekend was hosted by the Norton Hill Wildlife Club. It was a cold, windy morning hunt followed by a brisk afternoon lunch. Harvested turkeys were officially scored and in the spirit of friendly competition, awards given to the two veterans with toms with the longest beards and spurs. First place went to Mick Devlin of Delaware. A veteran of both the Marines and the Army, Mick received a beautiful knife, hand-forged locally in Saugerties by master craftsmen then donated by Gunpowder Pro Knives.

Second place went to Marine veteran Kyle Abbott of Jacksonville, North Carolina. Kyle had also attended the bear hunt with Northern Catskills Longbeards volunteers back in September where he harvested a bear, he actually brought with him to the spring turkey hunt! Well at least he brought a nice mount of the bear he took!

All veteran hunters received calls made by Mountain Hollow Game Calls of Potsdam.

When handing out the awards, Bob Montleone prefaced his presentations to the veterans with a simple yet heartfelt message of thanks to all veterans present for their extraordinary service to our country. He got a bit emotional as he sincerely expressed how we owe our freedom, safety, and security, to them and all veterans, especially those still suffering from the trauma of their war experience. The 50 or so people attending in the cold signaled their agreement with his well-expressed sentiment with a resounding round of applause.

At this and last year’s event, I found the topic of conversation among veterans was once again about next steps they can take for future hunts. Ways they can individually give back to their fellow veterans which is inspiring considering how much they gave of themselves already.  

So, as we approach the commemoration of our 250 years as a nation, let us honor their sacrifice, and thank a veteran when you get the opportunity.        

Happy Flag Day, and happy hunting, fishing, and trapping until next time!

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News and Notes

Annual Ray Brooks Memorial Youth Fishing Derby at Catskill Point is June 13th

This year the Ray Brooks Memorial Youth Fishing Derby at Catskill Point, sponsored by the Greene County Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs, will take place on Saturday, June 13. Registration is at 9 a.m. with fishing for kids 5-15 from 10 a.m. to noon. There will be prizes, refreshments and lots of fishing fun. Members of the Greene County Legislature will also be on hand as the honor the memory of their late colleague, Ray Brooks, as they continue to sustain his legacy by supporting youth fishing, hunting, and getting kids and adults outdoors.

Black Bass Season Opens on June 15

The season for keeping legal size black bass, (both largemouth and smallmouth) opens each year on Monday, June 15 and closes on November 30. For more information on regulations concerning bass and other freshwater fishing go to Statewide Freshwater Fishing Seasons, Sizes, and Catch Limits - NYSDEC.

Father’s Day BBQ/Cookout at the Earlton Fish & Game Club is June 20

The Earlton Fish & Game Club is hosting their annual Father’s Day Steak and Chicken BBQ at its facility at 56 Potic Creek Road in Earlton on June 20 from 2-6 p.m. You can eat-in or take out. For adults, cost is $25 for steak and $20 for chicken. Cost is $15 for kids under 12. Meals include choice of steak or chicken entre’ with potatoes, vegetables, salad, dessert and beverage. Music and Karaoke will be provided by “Mountain Man DJ.” Reservations are recommended. Raffles will be available and winners need not be present. For tickets and more information, call and leave a message at 518-694-8323 or email Info@Earlton GunClub.com You can also get more information on their Facebook page @EarltonGunClub.com.

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A resident of Durham, Larry is a retired captain with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.

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