Outdoors with Larry DiDonato - Local NWTF Chapter Holds Veterans Turkey Hunt

 Events kicked off with a Friday night meet and greet/pizza party at the Norton Hill Wildlife Club, who gave the vets free run of their facility for the weekend. At that event, veteran, Chris Wiggins of North Carolina, had his raffle ticket pulled and he won an impressive Yeti cooler full of beer donated by Mike Barcone of Westkill Brewery on Spruceton Road in Westkill. A second Yeti backpack cooler filled with Westkill brewed beer, was won by Ralph Coombe of Big Indian. Thanks go to Mike and Westkill Brewery, and all who bought raffle tickets which greatly supported this year’s veteran’s turkey hunt.  

 Bob Monteleone, President of Northern Catskill’s Longbeards, coordinated all aspects of the event which paired vets with 12 hunters who took them out on Saturday and Sunday mornings. The vets shot eight birds and happily shared stories of the ones that got away. One bird was located pretty close to the daily closure time of 12:00 noon. Chapter Treasurer, Sean Brady, led veteran, Samuel Ickes of Pennsylvania, up a 500-yard hill, quick-march style to cut the distance toward the gobbler. The pair got as close as they dared before they sat, and thankfully the big tom wasted no time coming in to their calls and Sam pulled the trigger of his camo over/under with just nine minutes to spare!

 Jason Drigg, of South Carolina, shot a gobbler that had the highest NWTF sanctioned score which won him a beautiful handmade hunting knife designed and crafted by local knife maker, Danny Batch. The heaviest gobbler weighing in at 21.16 pounds was shot by Larry Klein, of Syracuse. 

 Bob Monteleone stated the three-day veteran’s event would not have been possible without much help and support of the many donors and volunteers who pulled together in record time to get the job done this year. He expressed his thanks to all of the guides, including Mike Barcone, (who did double duty guiding and fund raising/donating Yetis full of beer), owners and staff of Sunny Hill Resort & Golf Course, Ed Gorch, who coordinated lodging and logistics at Sunny Hill, Christine Young and Jessica Goodrich for providing meals for all the vets and volunteers, and Pastor Jeremy of the Bruderhoff Church Communities of Platte Cove. 

 Bob also wished to thank Ryan Clarke, Executive Officer of Chappy’s Outdoors for his part in the event. According to their website, “The mission of Chappy's Outdoors is to conduct hunting and fishing trips for our nation's wounded veterans in order to facilitate physical, emotional, and spiritual healing through proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ.” 

Ryan and his organization certainly lived up to that worthwhile mission once again this year. 

 While these and past years hunts are a great time for the veterans and all involved, there’s a lot more to it than that. I recall when former outdoor columnist and founder of the Greene County Veteran’s Turkey Hunt, Russ Burton, published the text of an email he received from a veteran participant after  hunt. In no uncertain terms, the veteran thanked Russ for more than just a wonderful time hunting with his fellow veterans; he relayed that when he had received the invitation, he was in a very dark place. The invite to the hunt gave him exactly what he needed at that critical moment; something to look forward to, a renewed outlook, and the motivation to carry on with his life. You never know when intervention, Divine or otherwise, can have the most meaningful of impacts upon someone in need. 

Happy hunting, fishing, and trapping until next time!

News and Notes 

Annual Joe Mauer Memorial Kids Fishing Derby is Saturday, May 10th 

On May 10, 2025, the Earlton Fish & Game Club and the Mauer family are hosting their 11th Annual Joe Mauer Memorial Fishing Derby for kids at Mauer’s Pond on Webber Road in Earlton. The free event is open to those 16 and under, who can register at 10:00 am and fish from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. There will be prizes, lunch and refreshments.

Ray Brooks Memorial Youth Fishing Derby in Catskill to be held on Saturday, June 21st 

The Greene County Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs is sponsoring the annual Ray Brooks Memorial Youth Fishing Derby, which will be held on Saturday, June 21st at Catskill Point. Kids 5-15 years of age are eligible to register and compete. Registration is from 9:00 am to 10:00 am and kids must be accompanied by an adult. Fishing starts at 10:00 am and ends promptly at 1:00 pm. Bait will be provided. Bring the kids down for this free event. There will be refreshments, and prizes for all participants.