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Fan Mail

It’s a family thing

I just wanted to show my support of the new Turkey Country publication. I think it is also a positive choice that Karen Lee is the editor, as she did such a good job with Women in the Outdoors magazine. This could be a real positive for women who hunt, because it will INCLUDE women’s issues in the same magazine as men’s issues, and maybe we can keep people from believing they are separate. When people stop looking at hunting as “men” and “women” who hunt separately and see it as more of a FAMILY sport, we will have made some strides, and the idea of women hunters won’t seem so foreign to many. Please pass my congratulations on to Karen and keep up the good work!

Marisa K. Lee, Montgomery, Ala.

More Mini Spurs

I just finished reading the article “Big Bird, Little Spurs” in the May/June issue of Turkey Call. I have had the same problem. I have shot four big toms and all of them had over 10-inch beards. All of the birds weighed more than 20 pounds with full fans and no spurs.

Each was taken from the same property. This year I shot a jake there that had a double beard and 1/8-inch spurs. Hopefully the short spur genetics are gone.

Shawn Lewis, Teutopolis, Ill.

Love for Learn to Hunt Program

I’m writing this letter to express my gratitude to both the Federation and the Brillion Boss Toms.

I was one of the 26 participants in the 2009 Learn to Hunt Program held in Brillion, Wis. I’m 36 years old and the wife of a lifetime hunter. It has been my husband’s wish for years that I might show some interest in hunting. I was approached by Brad Martinson and asked if I would like to participate in his chapter’s program. I graciously accepted the challenge.

I had been practicing with my gun for weeks prior to the hunt. My husband, Ed, was a mentor for this program the first year it was held. Ed, of course, became my mentor for the program this year.

I was amazed to see the turn out and how the Brillion Boss Toms put the entire program together. Friday evening they had a great seminar, which covered “how to” and “dos and don’ts.” They had a DNR game warden speak, along with a DNR specialist. Also, they had a firearms specialist speak.

I, of course, was the oldest hunter there, but I observed the youth in the room. Each one of them looked so excited and they really tried to participate in questions and comments.

On Sunday, all the hunters and mentors reported back at the lodge for pictures and lunch. Again, the Brillion Boss Toms went overboard with taking lots of photos of the birds that were killed along with group shots.

Everyone was excited. We bagged eight birds total out of 26 hunters. I was one of the hunters that managed to shoot a turkey. I felt very proud of myself for accomplishing my mission, but to also have such praise from experienced hunters meant a lot to me, as I’m sure it did to all the younger hunters.

My husband and I had a great time hunting together and, because of this program I can honestly say I WILL be a future hunter.

Getting children and adults involved in programs like this is critical. Children can bond with their family, and husbands and wives can share an experience of a lifetime. I will never forget the feeling I had after I shot my turkey and heard my husband say, “I’m so proud of you!”

I would just like to express my deepest thanks to the Brillion Boss Toms. Brad Martinson and his committee did a phenomenal job on this program, and I wish you great success with your future Lean to Hunt programs.

Lonnie McLernon, via e-mail