For many, their direct contact with a turkey comes at the Thanksgiving dinner table.  An annual youth-oriented event in Douglas County seeks to change that and at the same time offer lifelong hunting skills.

The 14th annual Learn To Hunt Turkeys Event will happen Saturday and Sunday, April 4 and 5 in the Wascott area - sponsored by the Gitchee Gumme Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation.  The program is designed to instill a love of the sport to young kids, while providing them with the necessary safety and training.

The hunt itself is open for up to 15 kids to attend, chose by a drawing in advance of the hunt-weekend.  Those chosen must commit to a 5-hour long seminar offered by the DNR on Saturday, March 21 - from 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM at the Superior Trap Club , which is located about one-and-a-half miles south of Pattison State Park on STH 35. This seminar teaches the skills that the kids will need for the weekend-long event in April.

Cost is free, but there is a $25.00 security deposit for each drawn hunter - which is refunded upon completion of the hunt.  All participants will be provided meals during the weekend. Parents are encouraged, but not required to go out into the field as observers.  This hunt event is entirely made possible by the volunteers involved with the local National Wild Turkey Federation as they aim to encourage youth to get involved in the sport. Interested individuals are asked to contact Kevin Feind  - the Douglas County Learn To Hunt Turkey Coordinator - at 715-399-3111.

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