Conservation of wild turkeys, other wildlife and their habitat. Preservation of America’s hunting heritage.
Those are the two basic principles of the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF). Hunters and others in the area who believe those principles are important gathered in Iola Wednesday for the third annual NWTF Hunting Heritage banquet and auction sponsored by the Kansas First Upland Pioneers NWTF chapter.
“I enjoy these types of events because I love hunting. Plus I enjoy meeting the fans of our television show and listening to their hunting stories,” said Michael Waddell, NWTF national spokesman and host of the “Bone Collector” hunting show on Outdoor Channel.
Waddell spent much of the night sharing stories with hunters. He was shown countless photos of results of fans’ hunts and signing autographs.
Waddell and the more than 250 people attending the event at Riverside Park were about raising funds for wildlife habitat and programs for hunters provided by NWTF. Following a dinner, the live auction began of NWTF items.
The group began the night with a silent auction plus recognized all the veterans from the armed services before the dinner.
“We all experience the freedoms these veterans served our nation to preserve,” Waddell told the audience. “We appreciate your sacrifices for our freedoms.”
Steve Barlow, Humboldt, served as the event’s emcee. Barlow is the NWTF regional director. Charly Cummings of Yates Center was the auctioneer.
