Turkey Facts
Wildlife Harvest Magazine

Through Target 2000, wildlife professionals, NWTF volunteers, and partners have brought the wild turkey back from only 1.3 million in 1973 to about 4.8 million today.

For more information, visit the National Wild Turkey Federation web site at: nwtf.com. (posted November 26, 1999)
 

Take a Kid Fishing In 2000
Gordon Holland

During the history of the program, more than 5 million kids and family members have participated in events locally hosted annually by nearly 25,000 volunteers from parks and recreation departments, service organizations and state and federal agencies, including the U. S. Forest Service.

The majority of the events will take place during National Fishing Week, June 3-11, 2000. Last year, events were held in all 50 states!

Included in the derby format are the Zebco kids' casting contest, which has become the largest casting event of its kind in the world, and a nationwide "Big Fish" contest where youngsters have an opportunity to win incredible prizes.

Our derby package allows the host group or organization to stage a professionally-run kids' fishing derby without prior experience," said Gordon Holland, co-founder of the derby program, "because we provide all the tools and know-how. All the hosts have to do is follow our lead, and they'll have the whole community joining in. And there's no better sport to teach our youngsters than fishing!"

Each organization participating in the program is sent a derby kit" which contains everything needed to help conduct an event, including Zebco reel and rod combos for the casting contest, instruction booklet, prizes, souvenir vinyl decals, plastic carry-bags, posters, an 8-foot site banner and lots of surprises including bubble gum and fishing tackle samples. Sponsors for the 1999 program included Plano, Southwest Airlines, TNN Outdoors (The Nashville Network), Tracker Marine, and Zebco.

Throughout its history, the philosophy and goal of the Kids All-American Fishing Derby program has remained the same: To expose youngsters and their families to an appreciation and respect for the environment, through conservation measures encouraged by means of hands-on participation in the outdoors and the sport of fishing.

The derby kits are reserved on a first-come first-serve basis and reservations fill up fast for this popular youth fishing program. Organizations and agencies should request information now for a Year 2000 event by contacting Hooked On Fishing International,P O Box 660, Ketchum, OK 74349, or FAX to (918) 782-4324,or e-mail to kidsfishing@usa.net, prior to December 1, 1999.

(posted November 12, 1999)