IllinoisHunter.com Presents The First In A Series Of Special Feature Sections.

Youth hunter Olivia Staab (12) and her father George carry Olivia's first turkey back to their home near Athens, Illinois. Olivia and George are both members of the New Salem Longbeards Chapter of the NWTF. Photo by Larry Dale

The 2005 Illinois Heritage Youth Turkey Season was the topic of our first feature section. Click on the colored text below to:

Read a first-person hunt narrative written by 13-year-old female hunter Aimee Domescik from Auburn, Illinois.

Learn about a related outreach project created by a local NWTF chapter in Central Illinois, where they recruit interested youth hunters from non-hunting families and single-parent households. Perhaps the project could be duplicated in your community?

Read about the New Salem Longbeards and learn the details of their 2005 youth hunt event in Menard County, Illinois. During their weekend hunt, 10 of 34 youth hunters harvested a turkey, and all participants had a fun and educational experience.

About The special 2005 Illinois Heritage Youth Turkey Hunt: 2,351 permits were issued statewide, with 458 turkeys harvested by the youth hunters for an overall success rate of 19%. The 2005 Illinois Youth Season was held March 26-27 in the Southern Zone, and April 2-3 in the Northern Zone.