Caledonia Argus

State leaders coming to area for turkey hunt

Posted: 5/4/04

A celebrity turkey hunt is coming to Caledonia this weekend.

Several high-ranking state officials, including Secretary of State Mary Kiffmeyer and Department of Natural Resources Commissioner Gene Merriam, will be in attendance at what is being called the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) Hunt.

There will be three national directors from the National Wild Turkey Federation, two DNR assistant commissioners, the CEO of Gander Mountain, and U.S. Seventh District Representative Collin Peterson.

All the hunters went through the regular application process last fall and were chosen. It is being sponsored by the Minnesota chapter of the NWTF, with assistance by the Houston County Chapter.

The hunt will take place in permit area 346, which is near Houston. Their visit will be combined with a safety clinic at the Caledonia Rod and Gun Club on Saturday, and a reception and dinner at 5 p.m. at MaCalGrove Country Club. Tickets are available for $15 by calling Al Huesmann at 725-3841 or Kermit McRae at 724-5637.

Kevin Fuerstneau, the Southern Minnesota Regional Director for the NWTF, said the people will be hunting near La Crescent, Hokah, and Houston. He said the Caledonia area was chosen because Caledonia is known as the Wild Turkey Capital of Minnesota.

It's being done to promote the sport, said Fuerstneau, who lives in Plainview.

It will also feature the area for tourism, McRae said, with things like Beaver Creek Valley State Park, bike trails, trout fishing, and hardwood forests.

Top of Page