TWF to host nation's largest youth waterfowl hunt

The Tennessee Wildlife Federation is gearing up for its second annual Davis P. Rice Youth Waterfowl Hunt, to be held in Dyersburg, on Feb. 5 and 6. The first event - the largest organized youth waterfowl hunt in the nation - made its debut in Dyersburg last January. TWF officials have again chosen Dyersburg as the site of the banquet and 'once-in-a-lifetime guided youth hunt.'

"We are excited to once again host this youth waterfowl hunt in Dyersburg," said Dyersburg Mayor John Holden. "We look forward to a great weekend with these youth and others that will accompany them."

The first annual Davis P. Rice Youth Waterfowl Hunt took place on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2009 in Dyersburg. The event was presented by TWF through one of its education programs, the Tennessee Scholastic Clay Target Program. The largest organized youth waterfowl hunt in the nation, the hunt included 175 youth hunters, 12 different farms and 19 hunting blinds. The event was open to all youth participants currently registered in the TNSCTP, the nation's largest youth shotgun-shooting program.

The Davis P. Rice Youth Waterfowl Hunt honors TWF President Tom Rice's son Davis P. Rice, who was killed in an automobile accident in 2007. Davis P. Rice was an avid waterfowl hunter and a memorial scholarship fund has been placed in his name.

"This is an outstanding event to honor Davis and to promote conservation and sound management of Tennessee's wildlife," said Holden.

"TWF is honored to have this opportunity to share the love of the outdoor lifestyle with so many youth that hunted waterfowl for the first time ever (during the first event)," said TWF Outreach Director and DPR hunt director Chad Whittenburg. "Many of the youth and parents that were fortunate to take advantage of this opportunity assured me that they will continue to hunt waterfowl and they will be in a blind on opening day next year."

Athletes from 20 teams across Tennessee were chosen for last year's guided waterfowl hunt, with youth participating from Bedford, Coffee, Crockett, Dyer, Jefferson, Lawrence, Marshall, Maury, Perry, Rutherford, Shelby and Sevier counties.

Last year's hunt was preceded by a banquet held at the Lannom Center, with over 400 attending. Over $8,000 worth of prizes were given away at the banquet including a Tennessee Lifetime Hunting License and a Beretta shotgun and two $500 scholarships presented by Final Flight Outfitters.

Those attending the banquet heard seminars on duck and goose calling by "Champion of Champions callers" Buck Gardner Kelly Powers. Every youth participant attending the banquet received a gift bag including a Davis P. Rice Youth Waterfowl Hunt T-shirt and many other gifts donated by hunt sponsors.

TNSCTP was able to acquire numerous sponsorships for the first hunt. Sponsors included Sweeping Corporation of America Inc., Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, Final Flight Outfitters, city of Dyersburg, Knight & Hale Game Calls, HotHands, Bass, Berry, and Simms PLC, Stantec, Buck Gardner Calls, Barber & Mann Inc., and Dead Eye Supply.

"I am overwhelmed by the success of the event and the generosity of the all of the sponsors, volunteers, and those contributing their land in efforts to promote youth hunting," said Tom Rice.

The Davis P. Rice Youth Waterfowl Hunt committee consists of Tom Rice, Hunter Rice, Jerry Strom and Lance Rider with TWRA, Mike Butler, Chad Whittenburg and Matt Simcox.

For more information on TNSCTP or TWF, please visit www.tnwf.org.