Turkey hunt for veterans held near Newcastle

Over the weekend of May 10–12, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department partnered with the National Wild Turkey Federation and others to host a spring wild turkey hunt near Newcastle for disabled veterans, according to a recent release from Game and Fish. The department’s senior wildlife biologist stationed in Newcastle, Joe Sandrini, planned the hunt for the NWTF by helping secure access to private lands for the hunters, find and pair hunters with guides, and working closely with the local Veterans of Foreign Wars Post to host an appreciation dinner and fundraiser.
Sandrini reported hunters had great success, “All four of our veteran hunters were able to eventually connect with a nice tom,” Sandrini said.
While the weekend’s hunt started and ended with smiles, there were some tough moments getting from start to finish.
The hunters arrived in Newcastle on Friday evening and were treated to a barbecue dinner co-hosted by the NWTF, VFW Post 2516, and American Legion Post 3.  Not only were the hunters recognized at the dinner, but so too the landowners who opened up their property for the hunt along with the guides and event sponsors.
“We had a great supper on Friday night at the VFW,” Sandrini related.  He continued, “It was a chance for the community to support the Turkey Federation’s efforts to put these types of hunts on the ground and recognize the many folks who worked to make them happen.”
The hunters awoke Saturday morning to heavy rain and wild turkeys that were holed up and not wanting to cooperate.  An exception came with a little break in the clouds that lit up the Gold Bar Ranch for a short while.  That was all it took for Dale Messerly to become the first vet to harvest a tom.
“I couldn’t believe our luck getting a break in the weather,” said Dale’s guide, Casey Dickinson, former Wyoming NWTF president.  “His tom was very call responsive,” the experienced guide from Riverton, Wyo., added.
As the rain tailed off later in the afternoon, Brandon Vaughn became the second vet to punch his tag, guided by VFW Post 2516 commander Chris Rhodes on the Plum Creek Ranch.  His bird only came after about eight miles of hiking, and it would be the last bird to fall on day one of the hunt.
All the hunters returned to town Saturday night to enjoy another donated supper.  Then, with some tasty barbecue brisket under their belts, the unsuccessful hunters and their guides set out on Sunday morning as the sun shone and wind picked up.
Dick Terry, who works for Wyoming State Forestry and was one of the guides, put it this way, “The weather was better Sunday, but the turkeys just didn’t seem to be acting like they usually do this time of year.”
Persistence and tactical flexibility put birds in the pot later in the day when John Sullivan, a veteran from Gillette, bagged a beautiful
turkey on the Angle N Ranch.  Landowner and guide, Jason Nahrgang, exclaimed, “It was an epic hunt!”
Even as the weather improved, hunting remained tough.  The deep gulches of the Cambria Canyon Ranch made the fourth vet, Wade Christensen, and guides Dick Terry and Jonathan Sloan work extra hard.
“We had all but given up and were headed out, and just tried one last call,” Terry said.
Not expecting much after being stymied for two days, a big tom responded with a resounding gobble.  
Terry continued, “That bird was ready to come in, and when he did Wade was ready.”
In summing the three days up Sandrini remarked, “The weekend’s activities and hunt were a great way to help some really deserving veterans, who have sacrificed for all of us.  Plus, what an opportunity to bring together landowners, hunters and other community members to celebrate not only our vets, but also wild turkey habitat and hunting.”