May 2, 2026 5 min read

Turkey season opens this weekend and I can’t think of a better way to usher in the new season than in the manner in which I was treated to last Saturday by the Warrior Trail Gobblers Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation. The event was hosted at Hunting Hills Shooting Preserve in Dilliner, and while it’s difficult to put into words exactly what I witnessed, I’m going to attempt to convey just that.

On the opening morning of the PA youth turkey season, kids normally hunt with a dad or mom, maybe an uncle or aunt. For those not lucky enough to have a turkey hunting guide of their own, one might well be provided from a bevy of volunteer mentor guides. This is one time where the luck of the draw becomes everything. By chance, a young man or lady might be the recipient of a guided turkey hunt courtesy of a world class turkey calling champion. Their guide might have had a lifetime of experience hunting turkeys all over the United States. Guide credentials could include harvesting five or six of the North American turkey sub-species available across the globe. Whoever happened to be leading the hunt, there was a good chance of taking a gobbler and if that young person did not bring home a representative of Meleagris gallopavo, there’s sure to be a next time. Forty turkeys were lined up at the end of the morning for an incredible photo opportunity and the making of a memory of a lifetime.

Nearly 200 hunters, parents, mentors and helpers made their way to the pavilion at Hunting Hills following their morning outing and were treated to lunch on the tab of the Warrior Trail Gobblers Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation. After a celebration of turkey hunting with various representatives of the NWTF and some quick fundraising efforts, kids were dispersed to a variety of activities across the property.

The first session was my favorite and was conducted by Guy Hostutler and involved a “how to seminar” for turkey hunting mentors. Guy provided multiple scenarios to be encountered by turkey hunters partnering with youth that make efforts more successful and more enjoyable. Down to the smallest details of placing little ones in close proximity in order to protect and supervise their every movement, improving sight lines while hunting, assisting with and setting up for safe shots and much, much more.

“This kind of training helps the mentor recognize their mistakes and helps the hunter learn from theirs,” said Hostutler. And Hostutler should know because he and his guys have been doing this type of work for better than 30 years.

There were two ponds stocked with fish while kids, supervised by their parents or mentors, got a chance to fish for various species. A trout or two hooked along with some bass and bluegill. It didn’t matter what brand of fish kids hooked into, the smile on their face told the same story. And for the kid who has not previously received much experience in the fishing department, well, they were hooked. This event is all about creating the next generation of sportsmen and women.

Other stations included an archery experience where youngsters could shoot a bow and arrow that was actually sized to their frame. Bows of different sizes and shapes were available for kids to sample, making it much more successful for a first-time archer. I heard more than one or two Christmas requests announced around the various stations.

An inflatable BB gun station was on site and provided a controlled atmosphere in which children could take their first shots from such a platform in the safest of environments. The encapsulated blow up house looked like a traditional “jumpy jump” tent at a birthday celebration but it was anything other than that. Separated stalls and shooting lanes gave kids a most protective atmosphere to try their hands at a first time BB rifle opportunity.

Sporting clays was introduced to youngsters in the form of a single shot, moving target, shotgun venue. An easy straightaway presentation made for successful shooting. Sub-gauge, semi-automatic (reduced recoil) shotguns were used to lessen anxiety and promote success. The experiential format worked exactly as it was supposed to, creating new shooters with every clay bird launched. The interest and excitement was evident with each kid who exited the station. It wasn’t a bad recruiting opportunity for the next generation of Hunting Hills Hawkeyes shooters either, which is maybe part of the reason they have experienced such incredible program success.

All in all, I’d have to say that this event was one of the most enjoyable days I’ve spent in quite a while.

“This event is the largest Jakes (youth) event in the United States” Hostutler said. “We had 194 kids and their adults take part. Forty birds were harvested this morning with the aid of NWTF mentors. Seventy-two sponsors took part in this gathering.

“We are stewards of the earth and we are to take care of the world given to us by our Creator.”

That pretty much says it all about such a day well spent. These guys do it right and I can only imagine the future successes resulting from their efforts. Hostutler might have put it best when he said, “We’ve had kids lined up on a shot for their first gobbler. They weren’t ready to pull the trigger for one reason or another. They lowered the gun, we watched the bird for a while and then called it a morning. It’s not about killing, but rather experiencing the outdoors.”

Dave Bates writes a weekly outdoors column for the Observer-Reporter. He can be reached at alphaomegashootingsolutions@gmail.com