11th Annual - 2025 YOUTH TURKEY HUNT CONTEST (enter by Mar 14)

[bearpaw]

There was a close call but no dead birds yet, they are having to hunt.

[actionshooter]

 This is awesome Dale... Thanks for sharing!

[bearpaw]

One of the kids got a bird this morning. The other kid and dad watched a coyote chase off the birds they were hunting. Yesterday an eagle tried to kill one of the birds in that same flock but it got away. Also a cougar was spotted crossing the road yesterday near where one of the kids was hunting.

I'll let Trinity tell her story.

[elkrack]

 

[bearpaw]

Noah was able to get his bird this evening, I’ll let him tell the story!

[Dan-o]

Looking forward to pics and stories!

[Karl Blanchard]

Congrats to the young turkey hunters!

[wadu1]

Sounds like both Trinity and Noah both tagged today: tup:

[teanawayslayer]

Awesome!

[blazincrf]

Congrats Noah and dad! Trinity and I were rooting for you.

[millerwheeler]

Noah is trying on his on too write up a story to share  I’ll share his photo now though. I’ll also add a little back story I am a die hard hunter my older son Owen is too….. Noah the youngest has really really taken to wanting to learn bird hunt. Turkey is his favorite so this was huge for him. Bearpaw and his group are some of the kindest folks and their service and kindness was unbeatable. When Noah is done writing his story I’ll post it

[millerwheeler]

Noah’s story

Day1
Well we started out the amazing adventure  sitting in the blind listening to the birds gobble and talk up in there roost they flew down and started working. We could hear them on and off. We had an amazing group come in we watched for some time and let Noah get comfy, right when he was ready for a shot  AN EAGLE SWOOPED IN AND TRIED GRABBING ONE OF THE JAKES!!! We watched out side of blind eagle chased and screamed at the turkeys was WILD! The turkeys hung in the Hawthornes for time until they felt safe. When they finally fed out never could get right angle for Noah to take his shot. Some  hours later after a nice lunch from the lodge  and a much needed power break as Noah called it. We headed back out. That evening. Was quiet. Well we’re quietly telling hunting stories and Noah telling us joke after joke some birds moved in Noah was trying to get comfy while listening to his guide. He rushed the shot and missed and then his gun jammed so no follow up shot. I did some red neck engineering and got the shell free! Now in his words “ dad this is the biggest moment of my life I need to chill”  while funny I know how hard he is on himself the guide and I shared all the times we missed.  Hell last year I forgot to load my gun deer hunting lol. We went back at dark for an amazing RIB dinner and some rest. DAY 2
Started off in the dark and a coyote decided he wanted to hunt  birds when they pitched off the tree which some
Flew back up some fled and it split group into a few groups.
Mornin was quiet and guide decided let’s try something different he went and scouted and made a plan we did hiking  seen a few birds but didn’t get in range
Had a good lunch and Noah got a message from his older brother that he just got his first Tom while with his grumpa. He was very happy but said he was getting nervous and beating himself up on missing night before. At lunch the other contest winner came back with her bird he love seeing everyone  work and take care of the  bird. We also got to watch some huge Tom’s battle outside the cabin which Noah says was the coolest thing he has seen in a long time. We headed out the guide and I talked to Noah and said it ain’t over till the fat lady sings ! Well we hiked got on deer, found a very relaxing spot to watch, made a few failed sneaks and Noah asked we go back to the the blind which we had moved to a trail. Set up some
Decoys. We heard a gobble here and there. Well was decided to spin blind around cause turkeys were gobbling behind us. We forgot about decoys. Guide asked Noah to sneak out and grab them. At that moment  he stuck his head out a few Tom’s had come in silent!!!!  He goes TURKEY!!!!! We slightly panicked was really unexpected. Guide and I knew we goofed! Noah says dad there on the ridge! We see them strutting on and off working down hill. Guide says let me make a sneak with him cause they weren’t moving too us. Noah and guide sneak off. We have about 45min left. There sneaking away from blind and I can see more birds and them I’m watching and watching I see Noah get his 20guage into his tripod but don’t here a shot. I didn’t know what was wrong ! I was  saying about 2 prayers a minute at this point. NEXT THING I KNOW I SEE A HUGE GROUP FLY RIGHT INTO IN FRONT OF THE BLIND ! And go blazing right towards them!!! I’m screaming   On the inside and laughing at this point. They v line up the hill towards doe
 Other birds kittt corner to Noah and guide.  Then I lost site of Noah , guide and all the turkeys. I can hear them on and off . We have about 7min to shooting time. I sat down and just prayed and closed my eyes all of a sudden BOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMMMMM !!!!!! I just up and look at my phone guide texted GOT IT!   My big butt took off jogging towards last direction I saw them I get up too too often hill I see Noah raising his hands and the guide laying on his back smiling huge! He said Noah your one stressful turkey hunter!!!! I guess most birds moved off. Noah caught 2 toms coming straight too him guide was “putting “ o think he called it and Noah took his shot at 17yards. Noah loves bird hunting he has  gotten a few hens, grouse , pheasant, and a doe but a big Tom has been his dream. I walked up too him and he said dad that fat lady ain’t singing tonight I got em!!!! Snapped some pics and headed to the cabin. Guide took bird and we went to change. He told me he has another shot but he wasn’t confident cause he could only see head. I told him i was proud he stuck with his gut and never gave up. He shared he was happy we pushed him to be positive! We at a wonderful spaghetti dinner which was his favorite. It was late by this point we had a long drive too do we left around 10pm he talked on the drive about turkey hunts, dreams , and how this was the luckiest greatest hunt ever until about 1230 when he powered down. He woke up in the morning refreshed to see his brother and Bill and story time between the two brothers was amazing.


Bearpaw and the group made this a memory Noah and I will never forget. Thank yous aren’t really enough was so special.

[blazincrf]

Trinity's story,


When I first found out about the turkey hunt, I was really excited. It meant I would get a
break from school and sports, and do something with just my Dad. We packed up to get ready
for the six hour drive to BearPaw Outfitters. I fell asleep on and off on our way there, but the
long drive was definitely worth it. When we got there, everyone was kind and accommodating.
Two guides took us to practice shooting the shotguns to really get a feel of how they shoot. After
some practice, they took us back to their property where there were some tacos waiting. They
were really good. Everyone was planning excitedly about what we would do the following day. I
then took a picture next to another kid, also turkey hunting, as we were given hunting tools. I
went to bed in a nice, clean cabin with a bathroom, towels, two bunk beds, and a heater. I got
some much needed rest before our early morning hunt.
DAY 1: At 3:30 in the morning, my Dad and I woke up for our first day of hunting. We put
on some layers and met up with everybody for breakfast. We left at around 4:30 AM with one of
the guides and they brought us to a giant field. Quietly, we set up a blind and waited. It was a
cold morning, but it didn’t take long for the toms to start to gobble and all the birds started flying
down from their roosts in the trees. When I glassed the field with my binoculars, I saw an albino
jake! It was a gorgeous bird. It was really cool to see, since this was my first ever turkey hunt.
When I did some research, I found out it was extremely rare, a one in one hundred thousand
chance to have this opportunity. I decided that I would be keeping my eye on this bird.
Once the turkeys were all down from the trees, we counted about ten toms, twenty jakes,
and several hens, too many to count. They started to mosey on over to where we were in the
blind. Even though some toms were in the shooting range, I couldn’t get a decent shot. The
toms were puffed up, or had hens too close to them. We remained patient, and stayed there
until lunch, around 12:00 PM.
When we got back, the turkeys were far away from our spot, and none in the field.
Eventually, the flock started to move back to the trees. They were still too far from the blind to
shoot. Suddenly when our attention was on the flock by the trees, the albino jake went by our
blind on the right hand side. Unfortunately, we were facing the wrong direction, and there were
other jakes and hens too close to the albino. I couldn't get a clear shot on him. It was frustrating,
but I was told to continue to be patient. We waited for more to come, and when they didn’t, we
left for the property for the night.
For dinner, they gave us delicious ribs, which I thought were really well made. I was
really grateful, and they treated us as nicely as I thought humanly possible.
DAY 2: The next morning was a bit foggy and cold. We got up and left at the same time,
and moved the blind a little closer to where the flock was the previous day. However, the flock
had plans of their own and ended up going a different direction. Because of this we thought we
needed to move so that we could intercept them. After setting up our blind in a new spot, we
waited. A few hours had gone by, none of them came over. Our guide saw a tom in a different
section of property so we decided to move again. When we got there, we walked for a bit, and
set up a blind. Then, the guide started calling, and soon, we heard a distant gobble. I was
hopeful. Maybe this would be my chance. The guide lured and lured. He was persistent! He was
standing on a clearing above us. My Dad and I decided to gear up with camo from head to toe.
We climbed a bit higher up toward the tree line. I sat leaning against the tree, shotgun ready,
just waiting for the tom to show up. I stayed silent and still. The guide continued to call him over.

Our plan was working, and soon, the tom appeared and he was not far away. I was shaking. I
needed to get this shot. I managed to aim and steady myself. I slowly pulled the trigger until I
felt the recoil against my shoulder and a loud shot that rang through the trees. I wondered if I
had got it. My Dad kept repeating, “Good job!” which affirmed that I had indeed taken down the
tom. A flood of emotions came over me as I came to the realization that I had achieved my goal.
I had taken it down. I was thrilled by my accomplishment, and my Dad looked proud of me as
well.
The guide came from his calling spot and took pictures of my very first turkey. I was still
in shock, but very excited. After the rollercoaster of emotions, the let down from the first day,
and finally getting what we came for. I was really grateful for everybody planning this trip.
We packed up, went back to the truck, and drove back to the property. My guide even
cleaned the turkey for us. He gave us some tips for taxiderming the wings, tail fan, and feet. He
also gave us some tips on how to safely transport it back to our house to survive the six hour
drive. Everyone said goodbye and we left with a turkey, ammo, some supplies, more hunting
knowledge, and some new memories.
On our way home, I thought about how my Dad and brother have gone on a few hunting
trips with and without success. This was my FIRST hunting trip with just my Dad and me, and it
was successful. I could not be happier about the outcome. I now have my own story to share. I
am forever grateful to be able to have this experience with my Dad as it meant a lot to me.
Bearpaw and our awesome guide is what made this all possible. I will never forget their
hospitality and patience with a newbie like myself. They made this trip extra special for all of us.

[High Climber]

Nicely done to everyone involved here, and Congrats to the kids what an awesome experience for you guys!

[Karl Blanchard]

Way to go Noah and Trinity! Great write ups!