Rite Of Passage
Phil Taunton
Friday, April 6, 2007
The Outdoor Education Building at Camp Alexander just northeast of Emporia was busting at the seams last Saturday as the Flint Hills Gobblers of the National Wild Turkey Federation hosted its Sixth-Annual Spring Turkey Hunting Clinic.
More than 200 veteran and novice hunters alike, including 90 youngsters, braved cool weather, intermittent rain and high winds to attend this outstanding program.
Participants came from as far away as Independence, Mo. and Wilson, Kan.
A “Tip of the Hat” to the many sponsors, instructors and volunteers, and to Bruce Burenheide, Bluestem Farm and Ranch Supply and to the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks Hunter Education Program for continuing to make this spring turkey season warm-up event possible.
Interesting, informative, “hands on” seminars were conducted throughout the day concerning turkey calling and the scouting and roosting of this magnificent bird. Other topics of discussion and demonstration were turkey hunting safety, wild turkey biology and management, the use of shotguns and bowhunting the wild turkey. A display of the latest turkey hunting equipment also was on hand for all to see, admire, envy and familiarize themselves with.
Free hats, T-shirts, a grab bag full of turkey hunting-related goodies, plus lunch were provided to all the participants. What a day!
And to top it all off, for the fifth year in a row, the Flint Hills Gobblers and Bluestem Farm and Ranch Supply also sponsored a young hunter’s essay contest. This year’s theme was: What was your most memorable hunting experience and why did this experience mean so much to you?
Without a doubt, this year’s youth essay winner was Kyle Reisbig, 13, of Burlington. Kyle’s essay tells of the time he spent with his father discussing firearm and deer hunting safety, the time they spent sighting in his father’s rifle to use on Kyle’s first hunt and also the time they spent in the woods building a deer blind and learning about our hunting heritage and traditions.
In his essay Kyle wrote, “On Jan. 28, 2007, at 11:50 a.m., my Dad passed away from congestive heart failure. Even though my father is not here to hunt with me anymore, I know he will be watching me hunt and I will remember all he taught me. Because of him I have an appreciation for not only hunting, but also for wildlife conservation. When I look back on that hunt in December of 2005, I will think of that 6-point buck, (my first deer) and the special time Dad and I shared. That’s something that no one can take away from me.”
For his essay, Kyle was awarded a Mossberg Super Bantam 20 gauge shotgun with adjustable stock, a turkey vest loaded with turkey hunting calls and equipment donated by Bluestem Farm and Ranch Supply, and a Steve Taylor guided spring turkey hunt.
In all, 23 essays were received and five other young authors will be treated to a guided turkey hunt near Council Grove during this weekend’s youth hunt as part of Kansas Wildlife and Parks’ Pass it On programs.
Adrian Mayo, 7, who attended the clinic and enjoys the outdoors with her father, Aaron, was awarded another Mossberg Super Bantam 20 gauge shotgun in a special drawing.
Camp Alexander is a unique and special parcel of land with a very interesting history. The grounds were willed to the poor and indigent children of Lyon County and the state of Kansas in 1923 by E.J. Alexander, a freed slave and businessman who came to Kansas from North Carolina after the Civil War.
Alexander’s two most prized possessions were a gold clock and a shotgun he called “Old Tom.” He was fond of hunting and was well thought of by all the kids he took time out to interact with.
Records show on several occasions he would simply lay down his tools and accompany young hunters in their quest for game when they asked permission to hunt his property. He would not carry a firearm, but thrilled at watching the kids and sharing his knowledge of this great land and all God’s creatures.
Today, he would be thought of as an outdoor mentor, willing to help kids enrich their lives through quality outdoor experiences.
Thank you, Flint Hills Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation, for once again working with the youth of our community and keeping Mr. Alexander’s legacy alive during a time when kids lead such active, challenging lives. Thank you for helping them keep in tune with their families, with Nature and helping them keep their feet on the ground.
Happy Easter to all. Remember, the good Lord gave each and every one of us just so many brilliant and beautiful sunrises. Each one should be cherished.
Sharing them with a child in the Great Outdoors, in the woods and on the waters makes each sunrise that much more special.