An enthusiastic crowd joined the Greene County Gobblers National Wild Turkey Federation for their annual banquet Feb. 4. The 17th annual hunting heritage banquet was held in Clover Hall on the Greene County Fairgrounds in Jefferson.
The event brings hunters, businesses and friends together to raise money for habitat.
A variety of games were available with prizes of guns, hunting equipment and accessories and much more. There were a large number of raffle prizes, many of which were donated by local businesses.
Fred Long heads the committee in planning the event. Additional members include Susan Cort, Kevin Devilbiss, Dean Dozier, Jeff Gorsuch, Mike Minnihan, Aaron Sloan, Luke Nims and Kyle Holt.
The live auction, cried by Kevin Lentz, brought more than $6,800. More than $2,400 of that figure went to the purchase of shot glasses. The shot glass buyers were then eligible for a special table of prizes which included guns, gift cards and other hunting related items.
Before the start of the auction, a special raffle was held. Pick of the auction winner was Dean Ross who selected a bobcat painting by Larry Zach.
Special recognition was given to the veterans in the crowd. Youngsters age 17 and under served as assistants in passing out prizes. JAKES (Juniors Acquiring Knowledge, Ethics and Sportsmanship) is dedicated to informing, educating and involving youth in wildlife conservation and the wise stewardship of natural resources.
Money raised from the banquet and the National Super Fund goes to the continued support of wildlife habitat projects in Iowa. Since 2018, 10,513 acres of wildlife habitat has been conserved or enhanced in Iowa.
Special mention was given to the fact the Greene County Gobblers Chapter and the NWTF have contributed $40,000 towards the purchase of public land in Greene County.
Recognized as sponsor members were: Greene County Soil and Water Conservation District, Fred and Sandy Long, Home State Bank, Doc’s Stadium Bar and Grill, Darrin and Krystal Ross, Dr Steven and Julie Karber, Countywide Electric, Jefferson Monument Works and Edward Jones – Dean Dozier. Underwriters mentioned were Jefferson Family Dentistry and Bob Hamilton. ~courtesy of The Scranton Journal
