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

[blazincrf]

Hey all I'm Trinity's dad,

  There are some details Trinity left out that I'll put into my story.
  First off all I would like to express how thankful I am for everyone at Bearpaw outfitters for giving kids the opportunity to learn and experience a hunt like this. They were amazing from start to finish! I would also like to thank my dad, (he goes by Turdle on here) for always looking for amazing opportunities for my kids. He has put both of my kids in for this hunt for multiple years now, last year was close for Trinity I believe she was runner up and this year she got it. My parents made sure to drive down and deliver the news in person, when it was announced Trinity's number had won her a hunt. When my dad said well Trinity you won a turkey hunt she was in a bit of shock and disbelief. " Are you sure" and when reassured she was quickly excited and making teenage girl shrieking noises.

 The next few weeks consisted in planning and making sure she was ready. We purchased her license and tag I dug my old 410 that I got when I was 12 or 13 from the back of the gun safe. With a box full of shells and my best hand drawn turkey target we headed out to make sure she understood how a shotgun worked and what to expect. She shot a full box of shells through the old single shot and decided her shoulder had enough and I was confident she was going to make a good clean shot.
 On the day before the hunt we made the long 6 hour drive to Bearpaw outfitters. When we arrived we were greeted by our guide Daniel he showed us were we would be staying and got Trinity ready for some target shooting with a 20 gauge they lent her to use. We took a short drive to an area to shoot and they set a target for the kids at 20 yard both Trinity and Noah were hitting pretty good so they bumped it back a little further. This time Trinity shot one of the bigger hunting loads and got a bit of a surprise with a little more recoil, and decided that was enough practice for her... When we got back to the lodge dinner was waiting, we ate and planned and the kids were given their prizes. I've got to tell you its a humbling experience. The prizes were amazing, so a huge shout out to all the amazing donners!! You guys rock!!
   The next morning started bright and early with some breakfast and an short drive to a nearby property. Our guide Daniel led us out through the dark and set up the blind. It wasn't long and the birds where singing,(turkeys gobbling) and Trinity lit up with excitement. When the birds started dropping from the roost she quickly picked out that there was an albino Jake with the flock and set the hunt for him. Even naming him Kyle 2.0 ( that's a bit of an inside joke). When the bird came in she had a short window when she probably could have made a shot on a nice Tom but wasn't confident and decided to hold for a better shot. Throughout the morning we watched several groups of birds wandering in and out of the fog and when everything settled down we went back to the lodge for lunch. When we got back the birds where just starting to move around again. We chatted and watched them mill around feeding and strutting all around us. Then to everyone's surprise we spotted a cougar in an adjacent field bringing in a whole new level of excitement, It was pretty cool to see. The rest of the evening was exciting as well as birds made there way back to roost giving us several close calls on getting a shot but the turkeys just never put themselves in range and to Trinity's disappointment Kyle 2.0 never game her a shot. The next morning we started out in the same blind and with the turkeys unpredictability they decided they had other plans and completely avoided our field. Our guide said he knew of another place we could try where he had seen a nice Tom so we set out for another hunt. It didn't take long and we were set up and listing to a bird just a ridge above us. Our guide Daniel called and had the Tom excited and strutting but he hung up on that ridge and wouldn't budge. We came up with a plan and he snuck us up to a spot on the edge of the ridge where Trinity had a big pine tree to sit up against and some shooting sticks to steady her aim. I was able to tuck in next to her and he stepped over the edge and started to call. It didn't take long and our plan was working the bird strutted his way into range, and after a few exciting moments he made a fatal mistake gave Trinity a shot. She whispered to me she wasn't sure if she could do it and then boom. Dead bird!! You could feel the emotion in the air as she took it all in! The excitement, the planning, and practice. It all paid off. We celebrated, took pictured and discussed how it all went down. I couldn't be more proud. After we got back to the lodge our guide showed so much patience answering all of our questions and cleaning the bird for us. He set us up with all the feathers as per Trinity's request. After loading our stuff and saying our goodbyes we started our long drive home. The drive home sealed what was an amazing bonding experience for Trinity and I. Discussing all of the events and how she felt about it all. It was really good to spend some one on one time with her away from all the normal activities and learn something new together.
 
 Again I would like to thank everyone from bearpaw outfitters! The lodging and meals were outstanding the guides were patient and knowledgeable and went out of there way to make sure the kids were comfortable and successful.

 

 

[blazincrf]

Trinity

[blazincrf]

Trinity and guide Daniel

[blazincrf]

success

[blazincrf]

Trinity and guide Daniel

[wadu1]

Love the Indiana Jones's hat on Trinity and Daniel is a great guide. Well, done young lady

[Dan-o]

Another fantastic year!

[blazincrf]

Trinity

[bearpaw]

We had a great time with Trinity and Noah and their dads. Here are a few additional photos of their trip:

First two photos are Trinity and Noah gathering up their gear that was donated to them.

Third photo is Noah holding his “First Turkey” certificate and pin.

Last photo is the Rocky contents from Noah’s turkey gizzard.

[bearpaw]

Another photo of Zach helping set up Noah for his turkey photo.

[jackelope]

Awesome. Congrats to all involved. The generosity from Dale and his outfit is outstanding.

[cem3434]

Missed this, but congrats to the young hunters. Always good to see those smiles!