Arkansas
Arkansas State Chapter

Chapter News

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FANTASTIC TURNOUT FOR FISHING DERBY!

May the 17th was a great day for Jonesboro youth to enjoy
catfishing at Craighead Forrest Park. Nearly 200 children
fished during a Fishing Derby hosted by the Crowley's Ridge
Long Beards Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation
(NWTF). Total attendance was 611 parents and children. The
Arkansas Game and Fish Commission supported the derby by
stocking the "Youth Access" with 450 channel catfish the day
before the derby. The AG&FC provided several youth rod and
reels to give away to the children, along with many other
fishing related prizes. The NWTF provided several hundred
dollars worth of door prizes for the young anglers (such as
turkey calls, turkey vests, T-shirts, and various other
turkey hunting related merchandise). NWTF committee members
provided free lunch (hot dogs, Frito-Lay chips, and Pepsi
products). WalMart provided a great number of prizes for
the young anglers, as well as volunteers to help with the
event. The local chapter of Fellowship of Christian Anglers
Society (FOCAS) helped with the event providing prizes and
casting competitions for the kids, as well as having one of
their members who happens to be a bass fishing professional,
Mr. Kerry Millner, attend the event and help the children
fish. Kerri also brought his pickup truck and bass rig so
the kids could see the kind of boat a professional angler
uses in bass tournaments. The weather was gorgeous and many
families in our community enjoyed spending time together in
the great outdoors. We would like to thank all of the
parents for bringing their children out to the park to fish
in our derby.

Crowley's Ridge Nature Center Wild Turkey Exhibit

Amanda Brewer (Education Coordinator for the Nature Center) and Dr. Cliff Higgins (President of the Crowley's Ridge Long Beards)

WILD TURKEY EXHIBIT AT THE FORREST L. WOOD CROWLEY'S RIDGE
NATURE CENTER.
Turkey season is upon us! Therefore the staff at the
Crowley's Ridge Nature Center is putting together an exhibit
which features the wild turkey. The exhibit is slated to
open during the week of April 7th. The staff has inlisted
the help of the Crowley's Ridge Longbeards Chapter of the
National Wild Turkey Federation to put together an
outstanding display of turkey items such as fans, feathers,
beards, spurs, art work, and turkey hunting gear such as
decoys, camouflage, and a wide variety of turkey calls.
This is a "hands-on" exhibit which allows the participants
to touch and feel many of the displayed items. You can even
try out several friction type turkey calls. The organizers
of the exhibit hope to show its participants just how
beautiful and majestic or country's largest game bird is.
They are especially focused on showing youngsters why so
many people are drawn to our beautiful Arkansas woodlands in
the spring to view the awesome beauty of the Eastern Wild
Turkey during its mating season. They are striving to
ensure that every child that visits this exhibit receives a
free gift. This is the time of year when the gobble of the
male turkey "Thunders" from the ridges and hills of our
state's gorgeous countryside. When you experience this
exhibit, you will understand why turkey hunting is our
nation's fastest growing sport.

Youth Turkey Calling Contest

The Cleveland County Cutters and Strutters along with the Cleveland Co. School District held their 1st Annual Youth Turkey Calling Contest March 11, 2008 at the Woodlawn School. Winners from this will go to the Arkansas Game and Fish State Championship calling contest held at Fort Smith on March 22. The winners are listed below.

Sr. High
Phillip Dowell, winner
Joey Binns, 1st runner up
Logan Adair, 2nd runner up

Jr. High
Jacob Rogers, winner
Kyle Morrison, 1st runner up
Colton Wilmoth 2nd runner up
All are from Woodlawn.

2008 State Scholarship Winner

Ethan Vickers

Ethan Vickers from Hermitage is the winner of the 2008 Arkansas State Scholarship. Ethan is a member of Laigle Creek Longbeards Chapter. He will be attending UA Monticello and will be majoring in forrestry.

NWTF Crowns Junior Calling Champion

ATLANTA — Jimmy Pollard from Fort Smith, Ark., called his way to the winner's circle at the National Wild Turkey Federation's Grand National Junior Turkey Calling Championships.

The competition was held during the NWTF's annual Convention and Sport Show, Feb. 21 to Feb. 24 in Atlanta. Young callers must master the intricacies of their instruments - the slate, diaphragm and box turkey calls - in order to perform well in the championships, and the pressure was intense.

It's great to finally win this," Pollard said. "I've come in second twice, and this just feels awesome."

Contestants compete in one of two divisions: intermediate and junior. The intermediate division is for callers 16 to 20 years old; the junior division is for callers 15 and younger. The types of calls contestants must imitate are not announced until the day before the competition, so participants must be prepared for several different calls.

By winning the junior division, Pollard goes home with $500 cash.

The top five junior division finishers were:

Jimmy Pollard, Fort Smith Ark.
Cory Hoone, Smithville, Pa.
David Armistead, Pleasant Shade, Tenn.

Independence County Jakes Event

The Indepedence County Chapter held a Jakes event on September 15, 2007. There was a total of 55 Jakes (29 male & 26 female) and 65 parents and volunteers in attendance. There was fishing, archery, skeet shooting, BB guns and turkey calling.
An event this size takes alot of work and the Ar. State NWTF would like to thank all of the attendees for their support.

You can see more photos of this event in the Photo Gallery.

Turkey Hunters Care Program

Cleveland Co. Chapter delivering turkeys. Less Walz, Brad Wilson, Nathon and Angel Jacobs and family.

The following chapters in Arkansas have participated in the Turkey Hunter's Care program for 2007.

Caddo River Longbeards Chapter - 14
Cleveland County Cutters & Strutters Chapter - 30
Greenbrier Gobblers Chapter - 12
Independence County Chapter - 100
Sebastian County Boss Gobblers Chapter - 24

Through the Turkey Hunters Care program, local NWTF chapters and volunteers team up with church ministries, food pantries, children's organizations, homeless shelters, National Guard units and other civic service organizations to donate turkeys to families in need.


To date, more than 65,000 turkeys have been donated nationwide to families in need since Turkey Hunters Care began in 2001.

NATIONAL WILD TURKEY FEDERATION CALENDAR/FLOW CHART

The NWTF year banquet accounting fiscal year runs from September 1 through August 31.
The 5-Star Program runs by the calendar year, January 1 through December 31.

AUGUST
South Central Regional Rendezvous/Leadership Workshop, Shreveport, LA (first weekend)
Joe Kurz Award due 8-1 Wildlife Manager of the Year (National Award for Wildlife Agency Individuals)
National Turkey Shoot, Atlanta Georgia
Pictures for National Scholarship Banner are due in by August 1
All banquets are to be rescheduled right after banquet for next year.
Send in banquet ticket order form.


SEPTEMBER
Communicator of the Year 9-15
Scholarship Applications sent to local Chapters Leader-September
Education Boxes mailed to local Chapter Leaders-September
Turkey Hunters Care-letters go out 9-1 to local chapters & states
Chapter Meeting-Chapter Officers Election

OCTOBER
Chapter Meeting-Assign Committee Chairpersons, set funding for Turkey Hunters Care
Chapter gets applications to schools for High School Scholarships
Set dates for upcoming chapter events, Jakes Day, Women in the Outdoors event.
Roger Latham Award Submission 10-31, Volunteer Conservationist of Year (National Award)
CB McCloud Award Submission 10-31, Distinquished Service Award-Commercial (National Award)

NOVEMBER
Chapter Meeting-Turkey Hunters Care Plans (Turkeys for needy)
Wildlife Officer of the Year submitted 11-19 (National Award)
Women in the Outdoors Events Ticketed by 10-1
National Jakes Event Award applications are due by November 30 (copy state president)

DECEMBER
Chapter Meeting-Chapter Party-Awards
Turkey Hunters Care deadline for listing in The Caller 12-31
Five Star Program Deadline (runs Jan-Dec) 12-31 (Chapters turn in paperwork to State President)
1) Agreement form (send in $100 with form)
2) Completion of Form
Volunteer of the Year Award Nominations due to State Chairman by 11-15
Kansas Governor One Shot Turkey Hunt (for Jakes) essay entries due by December 1st.


JANUARY
Chapter Meeting-Planning for yearly events, Jakes, Women in the Outdoors, Wheelin’ Sportsman Events
Chapter Meeting-Scholarship Committee Report
Scholarship Applications due back to local chapter from schools January 1

FEBRUARY
NWTF National Convention-see web site for place and dates
Jakes National Coordinators meet at Convention
Local chapter notify local winners, send selection to state 2-1.

MARCH
Chapter Meeting-Extra Fund Raising plans
Scholarship-state chapter selects state winner deadline 3-1

APRIL
Fall Seed Subsidy requests due 4-31-07 (State Chapter)

National Scholarship winner selected 4-15

MAY
Chapter Meeting-Turkey Fry! Goal Setting for year/Land Owner appreciation
Decide on fund raisers for outreach programs

JUNE
Chapter Meeting-Select delegates for Southern Regional Training (Held in August)
Conservation Educator of the Year applications due June 1st.


See the national web site at www.nwtf.org for specific dates and locations.

YOUTH SHOOTING COMPETITION HELD

Taylor Roberts and her dad.

The Crowley's Ridge Long Beards and North East Arkansas
Friends of NRA hosted this Youth Shooting Competition on
June 30, 2007 at the Highway 1 gun range, south of
Jonesboro. 97 young shooters ages 4-17 competed in the
event. Every shooter payed a $5.00 entry fee which covered
the cost of their JAKES membership in the NWTF. Each
shooter received a gift packet containing NWTF prizes, a
turkey call, and a New Testament. There were four divisions
in the competition: BB-gun, .410, 20 ga., 12 ga. The
winner of each division received a turkey vest filled with
prizes such as turkey calls, caps, and T-shirts. The second
and third place winners in each division received special
turkey calls. Free hamburgers, hot dogs, chips, and drinks
were provided.

Some special prizes were given out during the event. One
was a "Quiggley Down Under" shot at the BB-Fun range. A
clay target was placed at an extremely long distance from
the BB-gun shooters. The first child to break that target
would win a new Daisy Grizzly BB-Gun. A young lady named
Taylor Roberts was the first to break the target and win the
gun. She is pictured below with her father.

During the competition there were demonstrations about
different aspects of turkey hunting. Dr. Cliff Higgins,
President of the Crowley's Ridge Long Beards gave a turkey
hunting seminar, Arkansas State Turkey Calling Champion
Terry Phillips gave a turkey calling demonstration, officers
from the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission's K-9 Unit gave
a demonstration on how their dogs help them enforce game
laws, Officer Brian Aston from the AGFC gave a presentation
on hunter safety.

The highlight of the event was Benelli Sharp Shooter Tim
Bradley. He gave a shooting exhibition at noon. Bradley
amazed the crowed with some unbelievable trick shooting.
After his exhibition, Dr. Higgins presented Bradley with a
plaque in appreciation of his support of young shooters.

The NWTF and Friends of NRA wish to thank all of the parents
who brought their children to this event. Everyone had a
great time, and we are looking forward to doing it again
next year.

Wildlife Officer of the Year

Ryan Warner was selected as the Arkansas NWTF Wildlife Officer of the Year. Ryan was presented with a turkey sculpture, plaque, gift box and $100 from the state chapter.

Congratulations Ryan and thank you for all that you do.

2007 State Scholarship Winner

Hanna Morse

Hanna Morse from Little Rock was chosen to receive the 2007 Arkansas State Scholarship. Hanna was chosen for the Rock City Longbeards local scholarship and then from over 30 statewide entries for the state award.

Congratulations Hanna!

Arkansas Scholarship Timeline

The Arkansas State Chapters are currently accepting scholarship applications for $500 to be awarded to a high school senior. Please see info below:
(For applications and requirements see www.nwtf.org, Jakes, scholarship opportunites)

ATTENTION XTREME JAKES..

JANUARY
Scholarship applications are to be to the chapter president or chairman by Jan. 1. The chapters are to have their winner to the state chairman by Feb. 15. Chapters are to mail their winner to:
Gary Watts P.O. Box 68 Subiaco, AR 72865.
***STUDENTS*** DO NOT MAIL YOUR APPLICATION . IT MUST BE SENT IN BY YOUR LOCAL NWTF CHAPTER!**
Log on to nwtf.org, click on JAKES for more information and scholarship applications.
FEBRUARY
Choose local scholarship winners by Feb. 15th
MARCH
State Chapters choose state scholarship winners by March 15th.
APRIL
Nat’l Jakes Event participant information due by April 15th. State scholarship winners due to Nationals by April 1st
JUNE
Conservation Educator of the Year applications due June 1st.
AUGUST
Pictures for scholarship banner due by August 31st
SEPTEMBER
Scholarship package and Five Star Ed boxes shipped to every local chapter
NOVEMBER
Event award applications for outstanding JAKES event of the year due by November 30
DECEMBER
Kansas Governor One Shot Turkey Hunt essay entries due by December 1st

Arkansas NWTF Hunting Heritage State Super Fund Projects

Administered jointly by the NWTF, its state chapters and state wildlife agencies, the Hunting Heritage Super Fund is used for projects that support the conservation of the wild turkey and preservation of the hunting tradition. Nationally, NWTF chapters and cooperating partners have raised and spent more than $230 million for wild turkey conservation. Since 1985 over $1,900,932 has been raised and spent by Arkansas chapters on projects within the state.

JAKES Program Needs Volunteers.

Hi folks. I’m Scott Whitmire and I am the JAKES Coordinator for Arkansas. I am looking for Regional Volunteers to help me make the JAKES Program better and bigger.

I want the Arkansas JAKES Program to challenge any and every other state with participation.

This will be a very big step to making this happen.

I need someone from each region of Arkansas to take responsibility for that area, working with me to get their events planned and to help them grow.

If you can help or would like more information on this please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Thanks a Bunch,

Scott A. Whitmire
Arkansas JAKES Coordinator
whitmire872@aol.com
501-517-2704 Cell

Essay Contest Winner

Kansas Governor’s One Shot Turkey Hunt Essay Contest


This year’s essay winner is Alyssa Hall of Siloam Springs, AR.

Alyssa wrote an excellent essay on how to present hunting to an anti-hunting audience. She is an honor’s student with a 3.8 GPA. She is also an athlete and plays basketball and volleyball. Alyssa has been hunting since age 6 and has taken turkey and deer. She hopes to add another wild turkey to that list during the 21st annual Kansas Governor’s One-Shot Turkey hunt this April. Alyssa’s father is also a hunter and she has chosen to take him on the hunt. She learned about the contest through JAKES magazine.

Alyssa will be recognized at our national convention in Nashville, TN during the Awards Banquet on Saturday night. Hopefully Governor Sebelius will be in attendance to present Alyssa with her KS hunting license and airline tickets.

The following states also had participants in the essay contest:

Arizona - Colorado
Florida - Idaho
Illinois - Indiana
Louisiana - Minnesota
Nebraska - New Jersey
Ohio - South Carolina
Wisconsin

Thanks to everyone who helped make this contest a success!

Congratulations Alyssa!