 Davis P. Rice Memorial Youth Waterfowl Hunt Plays Host to More Than 175 Tennessee Youth
The Tennessee Wildlife Federation (TWF) through one of its education programs, the Tennessee Scholastic Clay Target Program (TNSCTP), hosted its 1st Annual Davis P. Rice Youth Waterfowl Hunt in Dyersburg, Tennessee on Saturday January 31, 2009. The hunt was the largest organized youth waterfowl hunt in the nation, with 175 youth hunters and included 12 different farms and 19 hunting blinds.
The hunt was open to all youth participants currently registered in the TNSCTP, the nations largest youth shotgun shooting program. Athletes from 20 teams across Tennessee where chosen for the "once in a lifetime" event.
The Davis P. Rice Youth Waterfowl Hunt is in honor of TWF President Tom Rice's son Davis P. Rice. Davis was killed in an automobile accident in 2007 and was an avid waterfowl hunter. A memorial scholarship fund has been placed in his name.
"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 TWF President Rice. "Davis would be proud of what we have accomplished here."
"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 this past weekend," said Chad Whittenburg, TWF Outreach Director and hunt director. "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."
The hunt was preceded by a banquet held on January 30th at the Lannom Center in Dyersburg, TN with more than 400 students, parents, sponsors and guides in attendance. Prizes valued at over $8,000 total were given away at the banquet, including a Tennessee Lifetime Hunting License and a Beretta shotgun sponsored by Sweeping Corporation of America, Inc. and Tom Rice. Additionally, two $500 scholarships were presented by Final Flight Outfitters.
Those attending the banquet heard seminars on duck and goose calling by "Champion of Champions" callers Buck Gardner with Buck Gardner Calls and Kelly Powers, co-owner of Final Flight Outfitters. Every youth participant who attended the banquet received a gift bag which included a Davis P. Rice Youth Waterfowl Hunt t-shirt and many other gifts donated by hunt sponsors.
Sponsors for the event included Sweeping Corporation of America, Inc., Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA), 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.
The Davis P. Rice Youth Waterfowl Hunt committee was made up of TWF President & Sweeping Corporation of America owner Tom Rice; Hunter Rice of Sweeping Corporation of America; Jerry Strom and Lance Rider of TWRA; and Mike Butler, Chad Whittenburg and Matt Simcox with TWF.
Teams and home counties participating in the event were:
Bedford County: Hoodlum Alley Claybusters;
Coffee County: Middle Claybusters;
Crockett County: Crockett County Trap Team;
Dyer County: Dyer County Trap Team;
Jefferson County: Jefferson County Trap Team;
Lawrence County: Summertown Blastin' Crew;
Marshall County: Marshall County Hawkeyes;
Maury County: 3@8 Trap Team, Columbia Academy, GunDawgs, Maury Co Trap Team, and the Spring Hill Rookies;
Perry County: Perry County Trap Team;
Rutherford County: LaVergne High School Wolverines;
Sevier County: Smokey Mountain Top Guns;
Shelby County: Arlington High School Trappers, Bolton Trap Team, Christian Brothers High School Brothers In Arms, Collierville Trap, and Cordova SCTP.
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TWF Hosts Nation's Largest Youth Waterfowl Hunt
