2013 Salkehatchie Longbeards banquet

Cease Family from Hampton volunteer at the banquet

Guy Harvey's LOG JAM print on the live auction

Turkeys gobble and fly down at dawn

Jimmy Fitt's catering crew

With the anticipation of wild turkey season building to a fever pitch, the Salkehatchie Longbeards of Walterboro held their 15th annual NWTF conservation banquet on March 9. The National Guard armory was packed with patrons, waiting to dine on Jimmy Fitts catering and to watch NWTF's Mike Hofstatter conduct the raffles and auctions that will raise money for wildlife habitat. Chapter leaders Rusty Kinard and Rhonda Bailey worked with others to line up a record 117 sponsor members, which was recognized with a chapter excellence award. Of all the sponsors, there are but two diamond life sponsors, so special regards go to Scott Crosby and James Piper. Attendees were able to sign up for conservation seed incentives to plant on their own lands, when the fields dry out after a soggy month of February. Sitting at my table were others I knew to be deer hunters and dove hunters first, but they will make some time in the spring to chase a gobbler, before getting the food plots ready for next fall. Sculpture, furniture and artwork were prevalent on the live auction and LowcoutryOutdoors.com was glad to partner with Guy Harvey Inc. to donate a framed and signed limited edition print to help raise funds for conservation. Special auction items included a dove hunt at a renowned farm in Western Colleton County, a youth duck hunt, a youth turkey hunt, and a plantation quail hunt. After the eating and the bidding was complete, everyone was one step closer towards the elation that accompanies the March 15th opening day of turkey season in the Lowcountry Outdoors.

To view past blog entries from the Salkehatchie Longbeards click here.