A group of youth from Cass and other counties throughout the state recently joined conservation officers and outdoor enthusiasts for a weekend of camping, hunting and memory making.
A total of 12 youths from across Indiana experienced their first turkey hunt this past weekend. The event, dubbed Southern Swing because of its location in Jennings County, was put on by Freedom Hunt, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing outdoor adventures for children with special needs.
The turkey hunt, as with the group’s annual deer hunt, coincided with Indiana’s Youth Hunting Weekend, which occurs prior to the traditional opening day of the regular season. The base camp for the hunt was set up at Muscatatuck Christian Ranch just outside of North Vernon.
Local outdoorsmen Nathan Spoleder and Ed Morris, past volunteers at the Freedom Hunt Deer Camp in Cass County, organized the Southern Swing.
Cass County youth who traveled to North Vernon with their families for the weekend’s activities included Andrew Ash, Brian Foust, Jared Louthain and Quentin Doty.
Local property owners invited the Freedom Hunt youth to hunt on their private grounds. Many volunteers from both Cass County and the North Vernon area took part in setting up the camp, cooking meals and guiding the youth turkey hunters.
Each hunting team consisted of the youth hunter, an experienced turkey-hunting guide and a video photographer from the Hoosier Hit Squad.
All 12 hunters got to at least see the elusive eastern wild turkey, and three were successful in actually bagging a bird.
The first Freedom Hunt turkey was harvested early the morning of April 18 by 10-year-old Thomas Radcliff of Indianapolis when he shot a 2-year-old tom.
Andrew Ash of Logansport bagged his first bird, a jake that afternoon while Mason Piel of Kokomo tagged a “trophy” double bearded tom the next morning.
The Cass County Izaak Walton League provided the use of three Remington 1187 20-gauge, youth model shotguns. Two of the three turkeys bagged were taken with these guns.
The first turkey bagged was taken with the deployment of a “sip and puff,” a device used by the physically challenged. After attaching the device to the gun, it allows the firearm to be fired by the individual when he or she simply sips or puffs into a tube, which then causes the device to pull the trigger on the gun.
In between hunting trips, the youth hunters were treated to a surprise visit by special guest, Indiana University basketball star, Landon Turner.
From his wheelchair, Turner shared his personal story of going from being a member of the 1981 NCAA championship team to the tragic car crash that left him paralyzed from the chest down. He encouraged each and everyone to strive to be the best they can at whatever they do, no matter the situation. His testimonial included giving thanks and high praise to God for the natural resources He provided.
Turner let everyone know that he is an avid hunter and is especially partial to turkey hunting.
Southern Swing wrapped up on Sunday afternoon following a hunter’s raffle where all participants received prizes.
Freedom Hunt was founded in 2006 by Steve Griffey of Galveston.
Want to know more?
• For more information on how to apply for Freedom Hunt, visit the organization’s Web site at www.freedomhunt.com
Opening day in Cass County
A handful of hunters shot a turkey on April 22, opening day of the season. Here is a list of their names and weights of the turkeys they bagged:
• Kevin Powell — 24-pound turkey
• Charles Campbell — 24-pound turkey
• Scott Berkshire — 18 pound, 2 ounce-turkey
• Don Auker — 28-pound turkey
