T
he Nebraska Game and Parks
Commission, the National Wild
Turkey Federation and Scheels teamed
up again this year to sponsor a youth
turkey hunt hosted at Ponca State Park
in April. Eight youth hunters – five
boys and three girls – received the
opportunity to hunt turkeys in the
park's prime hunting grounds and
adjacent lands opened up by private
landowners. Dubbed the Ponca Bluffs
Jake Hunt, this hunt is targeted toward
northeastern Nebraska youth who have
little opportunity to hunt but show
strong interest. This is the second year
that Ponca State Park has opened up
its forests and fields to youth turkey
hunters; the first youth turkey hunt
happened in April 2014.
Northeastern Nebraska conservation
officers spearheaded this event, with
tremendous support from Ponca
State Park staff, Commission wildlife
division employees and local NWTF
chapter members. Conservation officers
selected youth from local hunter
education class enrollments. Names of
kids who showed interest in learning
how to hunt but had few opportunities
to do so were entered in a drawing,
but only eight names were chosen to
maintain safe and quality hunting in the
park. A great step toward achieving the
Commission's goals of developing new
hunters, the Ponca Bluffs Jake Hunt
also fell in line with NWTF's "Save
the Habitat. Save the Hunt" 10-year
plan to create 1.5 million new
hunters.
Eight youth hunters enjoyed a rare opportunity to hunt wild turkeys in Ponca State
Park. They received one-on-one instruction and a fun weekend stay at the park.
The National Wild Turkey Federation and Scheels presented turkey hunting gear to youth during the NWTF banquet at Ponca State
Park on Friday evening before the weekend's hunts.
Jakes Hunting
Toms
66 NEBRASKAland • MAY 2016
Story and photos by Jenny Nguyen
