It is time to put past months of cabin fever behind us and enjoy the outdoors. No longer do we have to judge the weather on a daily basis for activities beyond four heated walls and a roof, the less temperate days are finally in the minority. March is a signal time for getting back into the timberlines and trails and getting in some observation time on local wildlife. Anglers will be working the drop-off edges of tidal flats hoping a big blue or channel catfish will take a fresh herring or mud shad bait. It is these times while fishing the upper tidal Rappahannock or Potomac Rivers just inside the confluence of small creeks and backwaters, that some of our best outdoor moments take place. While watching for that telltale tug on a line or a swirl in nearby shallow water, perhaps even a quick glimpse of a big blue marauding catfish, your ears may pick up the first springtime gobble from a nearby shore. One time in particular while fishing just upriver from Hicks Landing on The “Rapp”, we listened to more than one gobbler on opposite shores sounding off that great springtime melody that lets us know it’s their time in the woods. Others on the Maryland side of the Potomac may be nestled up inside Mattawoman, Nanjemoy or Port Tobacco Creeks where while fishing for some catfish or largemouth bass, a nearby gobbler may sound off. The springtime thunder of those “gobblin’ ghosts” in the woods off of Bumpy Oak Road are still legendary throughout Southern Maryland, as are the stellar Spring gobbler hunting opportunities on the Chesapeake Bay side’s Calvert County. 

      While there are plenty of good reasons to get outside and stay there, the month of March is a time when some local chapters of the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) hold their annual fund raiser banquets. This year, the NWTF’s Southern Maryland Chapter is holding a “Hunting Heritage Banquet and Art Auction” on Saturday, March 19, 2005 from 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. The event takes place at Middleton Hall, just a short distance off of Route 5, near Waldorf. Those who have attended previous NWTF Southern Maryland Chapter fundraisers will thoroughly enjoy this year’s Hunting Heritage Banquet and Art Auction. Tickets go fast for this popular event. Call Bobby Boarman at (301) 259-2830 or Lynn Saunders at (301) 274-0004 for information on how to purchase them. The cost is $60 for one membership and dinner, $85 for a couple and one membership, $25 for a JAKES (Junior dinner only), $275 for a sponsor dinner and membership and $700 for a Corporate table (sits 8 guests). A Sportsman raffle pack of (15) $20 chances can also be purchased for $100, with paid pre-registration. This great discount of $200 must be obtained by March 12. Delicious food and hearty portions are a tradition for those who attend NWTF Southern Maryland Chapter events. A silent auction where those in attendance can register their bids for a wide variety of outdoor and artistic treasures is among the first ongoing events. After a great meal those in attendance will enjoy a live auction, led by a professional auctioneer. Count on a wide range of items for bidding which are of interest for those who enjoy the outdoors. 

      Seating at a corporate table for the March 19, 2005 event includes seating for 8 guests. This includes one sponsor membership and guest along with all sponsor incentives, 3 regular memberships and guests, $400 in raffle tickets and a special chapter sponsor gift. During the Hunting Heritage Banquet there will be membership raffles taking place for Juniors Achieving Knowledge, Ethics and Sportsmanship (JAKES), Women in the Outdoors (WITO) and sponsor memberships. Those who sign up are encouraged to take part in these extra opportunities and sign up the next generation of outdoors people or women hunters, in the family. Special drawings will also be available for first time NWTF members and those who renew their membership at the Hunting Heritage Banquet. Maryland Sponsors from the 2005 Hunting Heritage Banquets will be enrolled in a drawing for an all expense paid Turkey Hunt of a Lifetime. The drawing will be held at the Maryland State Chapter Banquet on January 6, 2006. The prize will be awarded to one hunter and includes all license, fees, airfare and meals. New or renewing sponsor members will be awarded $100 in sponsor raffle tickets, a sponsor hat, pin and gift, a chapter gift and entry in a sponsor gun drawing raffle. Sponsors registered at the March 19 NWTF Hunting Heritage Banquet will also be entered in the Turkey Hunt of a Lifetime Drawing on January 6, 2006. Come out and enjoy this preseason celebration which raises money to further wild turkey numbers and their habitat. Consider it a March primer for an exciting Spring Gobbler season in April.

      On Saturday, March 19, 2005 the 5th Annual Talkin’ Turkey Youth Day will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Roanoke Farm on Route 360 in Heathsville, Virginia. Topics to be covered include turkey scouting, wild turkey biology, calling turkeys, wildlife management and shotgun patterning. The course is free of charge and includes lunch. Lots of fun and prizes are available to all who attend.  Pre-registration is required. Call Bruce Wilds at (804) 580-8942 and leave a message.

      The NWTF Fredericksburg Chapter is holding their 13th Annual banquet and yearly celebration to benefit the wild turkey. Great food, raffles, auctions, special hunt opportunities and  fellowship will be available. All festivities begin at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 26, 2005 at the Eagles Club located at 21 Cool Spring Road, in Fredericksburg, Virginia. The Fredericksburg Chapter makes special mention to “Remember the JAKES”, and encourages families to bring youngsters to the March 26 event. They also encourage attendees to bring a friend or family member to participate and enjoy the NWTF festivities and noble efforts. For information on how to purchase tickets, call Steve Frock at (540) 371-7874 or Tom Worrell at (540) 373-2155.

© 2005 Steve & Chelly Scala All Rights Reserved