Hunting Heritage Banquet’ Draws Over 400 NWTF Supporters

The State Fair Strutters hosted a fund-raising auction and dinner held Friday night at the Ag Building on the Missouri State Fairgrounds.

The “Hunting Heritage Banquet” drew well over 400 people, who were fed a Mallard’s Smokin’ BBQ meal.

The State Fair Strutters is the local chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation, according to Gavin McCue, vice president of the local organization.

“We’re raising money for the conservation mission of the NWTF, and to put on youth programs within the community,” McCue said of the reason for the banquet, which drew from not only Pettis, but also Johnson, Saline and Benton counties.

Each meal ticket sold also included a membership to the NWTF. In addition, all youth attending the event were entered into a drawing for a couple of lifetime hunting and fishing permits, a couple of youth firearms and some pellet rifles, Mc Cue explained.

State Fair Strutters has between 12 and 15 committee members, said McCue, who is in his second year with the organization.

Get our free mobile app

Trevor Day, regional director for the NWTF, also spoke with KSIS Friday evening. He is one of three regional directors who oversees the western portion of Missouri, which has around 70 chapters and around 13,000 members.

Day pointed out that Missouri is number one in Jake (or youth) memberships in the NWTF.

“We always want to make sure we are passing on the same opportunities that we had growing up in the outdoors and hunting specifically the wild turkey,” Day said.

“This is our second banquet after a few years off, and so last year, we had under150 people attend, and we’re looking for over 400 tonight. We couldn’t be more thankful for the community rallying around and supporting us in this chapter,” Day stressed.

“Everyone’s very passionate about the mission of the organization, which is obviously the preservation of the wild turkey and our hunting heritage. Something to proud of,” Day concluded.