The Central Maryland Chapter of The National Wild Turkey Federation

Presents,

Central Maryland Chapter records, news and activities

By Chuck Lewis

From Magazine, Published quarterly by the National Wild Turkey Federation

The Central Maryland Chapter

is girding for their upcoming Superfund Banquet to be held on March 29, 1996 at the Odenton Volunteer Fire Hall on Route 175. Banquet Chairman, Tracy Ford, has tickets available for distribution and can be reached at 410-551-0682.
The Chapter is striving for an unprecedented third "Golden Gobbler" award for the State of Maryland. Being the largest Chapter in the state we feel we should be the bellringer for other chapters to follow. Ours was the first chapter to achieve "Golden Gobbler" status and the only one to have gotten it twice in a row. It goes without saying that an all out effort will be expended to do it again this year.

JAKES SCOUT ACTIVITY DAY

On September 30, 1995 an all day combination JAKES-Scout Activity day was held at the Meyerstation Conservancy area. Chapter JAKES and Cubs from Packs 873, 346 and 725 assembled to participate on a variety of well-planned activites. Over 200 were in attendance and the youths attended session on Outdoorsman, First Aid, Forestry, Crafts, Gun Safety and Marksmanship. Each participant had the opportunity of firing on the air rifle range under the supervision of DNR qualified Safe Hunter Instructors. Special thanks go out to the Anne Arundel County Fire and Police Departments. The Fire Department came with one of their pumpers and fire personnel donned appropriate fire fighting gear to explain what to do in case of a dwelling fire and how to avoid the occurrence of fires in the home. The Police Department was represented by Officer Earl Fox who displayed a police cruiser and discussed the values of law abidance. A retired ranger brought the activities to a close by dressing in native American tribal attire demonstrating Indian artifacts, hunting gear, life styles and history. Being a full blooded Indian, he closed with a ceremonial dance that was very impressive. Much postive feedback came to the chapter and many burgers and hot dogs were consumed and much bug juice downed.

Flag raising and lowering ceremonies were conducted by the Cubs and it was generally agreed that this was the first annual activity that would be conducted again next year.

SMITHSONIAN QUALIFICATION SHOOT

Again, for the third year the Central Maryland Chapter was selected by the DNR and the Smithsonian Institution to conduct the qualification shoot for the special hunt held on the Institution's property in Edgewater. Over 200 shooters competed for qualification slots to hunt in this popular event. Approximately 74% of the shooters qualified under the watchful eye of the Chapter range personnal. No injuries or mishaps have occured either on the range or on the hunts for the past three years and the Chapter as well as the responsible agencies attribute this in part to the stringent safety regulations imposed by Chapter qualified range officers. As a gesture of the Chapter appreciation for the opportunity of conducting the shoots, NWTF logo caps were presented by Chapter president, Gene Hyatt to DNR personnel, Danny Estevez and Dennis Hammet and Smithsonian Co-ordinator, Paul Tovel.
An installation party is being planned for President-Elect, Tracy Ford, who will be taking over the reigns in January as President of the State Chapter. It's anticipated that a closer relationship between individual chapters and the State chapter can be achieved as one of the new administrations goals.
CHUCK LEWIS Publicity Committe Chairman