Last Friday, my sister-in-law whipped into my driveway with her white Camaro. I was pruning crape myrtles, but she was so excited I had to stop.

Only a mile from our houses, she was in awe of 22 wild turkeys feeding in a field. The turkeys were very close to the roadside and only moved a few yards away when she stopped to take pictures.

For the past year, we have seen three turkeys in this same field, and suddenly we now have 22.

Her excitement at seeing these magnificent birds was especially gratifying to me. I am a very small part of The National Wild Turkey Federation, and part of what we do is conserve land and enhance habitat so these birds can thrive.

When I was growing up in Rocky Mount, there were very few turkeys in the area. My father and grandfather had to go to the Roanoke River bottomlands to find these elusive birds.

Through extensive conservation efforts, wild turkeys are present all across our state. Their numbers are increasing. Now there is a wild turkey hunting season in every one of North Carolina’s 100 counties.

This year The Tar River Chapter of The National Wild Turkey Federation is holding its 25th Annual Hunting Heritage Banquet. The banquet helps raise funds that directly benefit the wild turkey.

Money generated goes to buy, protect and enhance land that will support a healthy wild turkey population. Turkeys are relocated to areas like ours that once were void of these large birds.Funds generated by the banquet also support our youth program called J.A.K.E.S., which stands for Junior Acquiring Knowledge, Ethics, and Sportsmanship.

This year the banquet will be held March 15 at Brown Auditorium on the campus of Nash Community College, on Old Carriage Road. Doors open at 6 p.m., and dinner will be served at 7:30 p.m.

Abrams Barbecue will handle all the cooking, and believe me, it is so good. They keep the buffet full of hot barbecue, chicken, seafood and all the trimmings.

Single tickets are $65. Couples tickets are only $90.

Last year, we had lots of ladies that participated and really enjoyed and contributed to the banquet. Sponsor tickets can be purchased for $280.

The banquet features many prizes that can be won like art prints, sculptures, furniture, grills, knives, outdoor gear and clothing.

There will be many chances to win firearms of many different varieties.

This year we have some new games to play that promise to be a lot of fun as well as very competitive. The chances of going home with some quality merchandise have been increased for each participant.

I hope you will take time to attend this banquet, and help us preserve the future, not only for the wild turkey, but for other species that might benefit from our efforts as well.

Mark your calendar for March 15, and bring along a friend or two. It will be a night to remember. Expect good food, fun, and fellowship.

Our motto is conserve, hunt, and share.

Our Tar River Chapter of The National Wild Turkey Federation excels at all three. Come be a part. Call 813-0320 for more information.

King