Opportunity knocks
Phil Taunton
Friday, March 9, 2007
Oh to be 16 again!
How would that feel? What would I do if I could turn back the hands of time?
For one, I would see if I could run 100 yards without falling into a heap. Or perhaps just see if I could run, period. Let me see, put the right foot forward, followed by the left, and alternate them as fast as possible. That should do it.
The little things we took for granted in our youth just don’t come as easily these days.
Another thing I would to do is spend more time outdoors with my family and friends hunting and fishing. Those are activities I can relate to and participate in now.
I do have a little fishing story for you.
Have you ever seen a 5-pound-plus goldfish?
Well, one was caught at Peter Pan Park a couple of years ago. I got news of this catch at the Tackle Box on South Commercial just the other day.
They even had a picture of the fish and the kids that caught it.
Hopefully this spring I can bring you news and stories of angling success a little quicker. Just contact me concerning your outdoor adventures at ptaunton@cableone.net.
I would love to share your stories.
Attention young
hunters: For kids only!
Drat, if only I was 16 again.
You could write a story and win a guided spring turkey hunt and a new turkey shotgun (with parent’s approval of course). Hurry, the deadline nears.
The Flint Hills Gobblers, the local chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation, would like to announce a new twist to its annual “Win a Guided Hunt” youth essay contest.
For the last five years, the chapter has sponsored this contest, and all past winners have been treated to a great turkey-hunting experience and were successful in harvesting a turkey.
To commemorate the fifth year of the essay contest, the Flint Hills Gobblers will provide a new shotgun to the author of the winning story.
The contest is co-sponsored by the Flint Hills Gobblers Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation, the Lyon County Hunter Education Program and Bluestem Farm and Ranch Supply of Emporia.
Young hunters 16 years of age and younger from Chase, Coffey, Greenwood, Lyon, Morris, Osage, and Woodson counties are eligible to enter as long as they submit a story and have completed the basic hunter education safety course with certification.
Essay contest rules: Please describe in 500 words or less the most memorable hunting experience you have had and why this experience means so much to you.
Perhaps it was your last hunt with Grandpa, or matching wits with a wily old buck for a couple of years only to have him outsmart you again this year.
It isn’t always the harvest that counts.
Or perhaps it was harvesting a big Tom Turkey or Canada goose. One you called in yourself or called in for a friend during a hunt that excited you the most.
And of course there’s always hunting dog stories. Perhaps you felt the excitement of your pup’s first point, the young dog you picked from the litter, took care of and helped train.
The lucky winner of the contest must be available to hunt during the 2007 spring turkey season and, if chosen, must purchase a Kansas spring turkey hunting permit. The winner will then receive a two-day guided spring turkey hunt during the 2007 spring turkey season.
Besides the gun and the hunt, the winner also will receive a turkey-hunting vest and other turkey-hunting items donated by Bluestem Farm and Ranch Supply of Emporia.
Bring out the sportsman and outdoorsman in you and share your adventure.
Please submit your essay, including your name, age, address and phone number to Gib Rhodes, 1643 360th St., Madison, KS, 66860 or Shelley Sparks, 1789 Road B5, Emporia, KS, 66801 by March 15.
The winner of the contest will be notified by March 26. Lodging will be provided if the winner is not from Emporia or the surrounding area. A parent or guardian is welcome and encouraged to accompany the youth on this hunt.
If you have any questions regarding the essay contest or hunt, please feel free to contact Gib Rhodes at 437-2012.