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By Tom Murphy
Special to the Argus
The Houston County Wild Turkey Federation will celebrate 25 years of improving and promoting the wild turkey flock in the county on Friday, March 7 at its banquet at MaCalGrove.
Proceeds from the annual banquet have contributed more money to the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) than any other chapter in Minnesota. Carl Brown, chief operating officer of the organization; Dave Mahlke, NWTF director; and Eric Linden NWTF regional director will attend.
Thanks to the generous support of businesses in Houston County, the banquet has remained poplular because of the number of door and raffle prizes. Tha banquet has sold out every year and it leads the state in retention of ticket holders who attend.
The wild turkey was re-introduced into Minnesota in the 1970’s on the Harold Davy farm, rural Brownsville. The Eastern wild turkey flock thrived with the help of farmers, sportsmen, and snowmobilers who worked together during some hard winters. A total of 29 birds were released in those years.
In adition to providing their crops for feed, farmers alerted the sportsmen about the distressed birds. The sportsmen gathered funds mostly from business owners to buy shelled corn. Al Eglinton, Caledonia, was president of Minnesota-United Snowmobilers of America. Caledonia Sno Gophers organized delivery of corn to the flocks identified by landowners.
The need for local chapter and a banquet fundraiser became apparent. Two Twin Cities men came to Caledonia to make the presentation. John Clark was the president at that time and John Beard was the president-elect of the Minnesota Chapter of the Wild Turkey Federation (MnWTF).
In November, 1983, the Houston County Chapter of the Wild Turkey Federation organized. It was the third one in the state after the Minnesota Chapter in the Twin Cities and Winona. The idea of a wild turkey federation was a new concept. The National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) had been organized just ten years before and the first one in Minnesota was organized in 1977. Seven years later, membership had grown to 500.
Al Huesmann was the local chapter’s first president. Doug Rusert was the first vice-president and Don Begin was secretary-treasurer.
Merrill Deters and Huesmann were the banquet co-chairmen. Harld Link was gift committee chair. Charlie Bubbers headed ticket sales and Tank Schroeder headed the raffle committee and had been the master of ceremonies at the banquet every year. Jim Scanlon headed arrangements.
A statewide budget was a modest $25,000 by 1984, thanks in part to the huge success of the Houston County Chapter. The local charter night banquet set a national record at that time.
Since that time, the local federation had funded a total of more than 4,000 acres for winter feeding. Some were donated acres. This year, Rick Frank and Bob Lange are responsible for this project. Frank is also responsible for emergency feeding which is funded solely by the Houston County Chapter of the NWTF.
From the start, the local chapter wanted to see the flocks expanded into the Root River valley, after sufficient monies had been set aside for emergency feeding. Most of the money from the local banquets went towards trap and transfer of the birds. It was these wild turkeys from Houston County that have expanded the flock into much of Minnesota.
An environment for youth hunting has also been promoted with the annual NWTF Jakes program. It allows young hunters to learn more about hunting and fishing. Dan Gavin has organized this event.
Recognition of farmer-landowners has been part of the chapter’s work from the start. Francis Bruening of Freeburg was recognized at the very first banquet. Farmer-landowners are recognized for their support of wildlife conservation.
There is also a float that has appeared at local parades. The WTF float at the Apple Fest had about a dozen young turkey hunters using various turkey calls following the float. It increased public awareness of the organization and the sport of turkey hunting . As always, NWTF wanted to thank area businesses for their support.
Another innovation of the Houston County chapter was its recognition of area conservation officers. This recognition has now reached the national level. Larry Webinger, La Crescent, was honored as national conservation officer of the year. Kermit McRae and Ray Whalen have been credited with promoting this recognition.
Houston County has been active on the Minnesota State WTF board with Huesmann and Schroeder serving. Huesmann has also served on the NWTF board.
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