Killbuck Valley Longbeards invite public to turkey club banquet

When it comes to talking turkey, few can do it better than the members of the Killbuck Valley Longbeards National Wild Turkey Federation, a group of dedicated turkey hunters who not only enjoy the hunt, but also have made a commitment to preserving wildlife habitat and helping to grow the turkey population where needed.

Coming soon will be an opportunity for current members and those who would like to become a part of this organization to get together for an evening of fellowship, stories, food and supporting the club.

The 2021 Killbuck Valley Longbeards National Wild Turkey Federation Banquet will take place Saturday, Aug. 28 at Harvest Ridge, 8880 state Route 39, just west of Millersburg.

Doors for the event will open at 5 p.m., and dinner will be served at 6:30 p.m. Table captains can purchase a table for eight people, which includes eight meals, four memberships and $100 in bonus raffle tickets. Individual tickets, players club packages and raffle tickets also are available.

“Our mission as part of the National Wild Turkey Federation has been, from the beginning, to preserve habitat and strengthen the turkey population across the United States,” member Mike Taylor said. “They’ve done an excellent job of purchasing habitat and stocking turkeys where the population is low, and also, they work against the anti-hunting people who are trying to eliminate any type of hunting. It’s all about restoration and preservation of habitat.”

The NWTF is currently amidst a campaign to both promote the values of hunting while at the same time preparing a new generation of hunters and its current members to learn how to enjoy the great outdoors while properly caring for it. The motto, “Save the Habitat, Save the Hunt,” is about bringing people together to educate and enjoy the sport they love so much.

In encouraging people to be a part of the solution in maintaining wildlife and wildlife habitats, the NWTF is leading the way in education. The goal of the organization during this ongoing 10-year plan is to conserve or enhance 4 million acres of critical wildlife habitat, recruit 1.5 million hunters and open access to 500,000 additional acres for hunting.

“All of the money they raise goes into supporting turkeys and turkey habitat,” Taylor said.

The local banquet will include a fully catered meal along with a silent auction of a number of items. Taylor said there also will be a live auction, and the club does gun raffles throughout the year to raise funds.

“We probably gave away 26-28 guns this year through raffles and auctions, and this raffle should be another really good one with some great outdoor equipment,” Taylor said.

According to Taylor, the Killbuck Valley Longbeards are annually one of the top grossing clubs in the state because they get support through the auctions and raffles, and he said a big part of that success is due to the hunting heritage in Holmes County, something the club works diligently toward maintaining.

“People know the money they spend goes to a good place, and hunting and outdoor sports have always been such a big part of our community here in Holmes County,” Taylor said.

Every person who purchases a ticket to attend the banquet will receive a KVLNWTF membership. Taylor said the current membership in the club stands around 75 members, and they welcome anyone interested to join the club.

Taylor said the club is selling special promotional packages for the banquet that include tables of eight, along with special auction and raffle packages prior to the night of the banquet that are exclusive to those who purchase tickets early.

The deadline for reservations is Wednesday, Aug. 18. For more information visit Facebook at 2021 Banquet — Killbuck Valley Longbeards National Wild Turkey Federation.

For tickets or to make reservations, call Dusty Taylor at 330-231-3295 or Mike Taylor at 330-231-7250.