News TNSCTP Student-Athletes Participate in 3rd Annual TWF Davis P. Rice Youth Waterfowl Hunt

TNSCTP Student-Athletes Participate in 3rd Annual TWF Davis P. Rice Youth Waterfowl Hunt PDF Print E-mail

Young Hunters Treated to Scholarships, Prizes and the Thrill of Mass Waterfowl Migration

More than 160 student-athletes from Tennessee’s Scholastic Clay Target Program assembled in Dyersburg the evening of February 4 with their parents, coaches, sponsors and guides to kick off the 3rd Annual Tennessee Wildlife Federation Davis P. Rice Youth Waterfowl Hunt.

Little did they know what the next day would bring – but as snow began to fall during the night, the wind was gusting up to 30 miles per hour and the sound of migrating snow geese in the dark sky overhead gave a hint. As many as a million waterfowl were staging in the area when the sun rose, and each hunter was able to take an average of two birds on the youth-only hunt.

At the banquet Friday, a crowd of about 425 enjoyed a barbecue dinner while TWF Outreach Director Chad Whittenburg served as master of ceremonies and hunt director. No one left empty handed – gear from Delta Waterfowl, Final Flight Outfitters and the Tennessee Army National Guard was given away hand over fist – and Command Sergeant Major Mark A. Breece gave an inspiring presentation as the keynote speaker.


Tom Rice, a longtime TWF Board member whose son, Davis, was killed in an automobile accident in 2007, has always been focused on introducing kids to the outdoors. Rice funded one Tennessee Lifetime Hunting License – won by Zach Martin of the Coffee County Middle School Trap Team – before deciding to give away another on the spot. Jake Geasley of the Spring Station Trap Team won the second Lifetime License.

Several students won cash scholarships. Chase Martin of the Coffee County Middle School Trap Team and Lucas Campbell of Three Rivers Clay Commanders each won $250 scholarships from Delta Waterfowl; Sarah Slayton of the Spring Hill High School Maury Grays Trap Team won a $250 prize from Final Flight; And last but not least, Nick Foster of the Grainger Gunners and Caleb Anthony of the Collierville High School Trap Team each won $500 scholarships from the TWF’s Tennessee Scholastic Clay Target Program.

Saturday morning found the young hunters spread across 23 farms in West Tennessee, and the skies were filled with thousands of ducks and geese every minute of the day. RIO Ammunition had provided shotgun shells, and the guides were able to work ducks and geese in large groups into range.

“The majority of these kids had never been hunting before, and the migration was a natural spectacle like few of us adults had ever witnessed,” Whittenburg says. “I think we spoiled them for life, but in the process we provided an experience they’ll never forget, and we sparked an interest in hunting that will help continue that great tradition.”


In addition to TWF, Delta Waterfowl, Final Flight Outfitters, RIO Ammunition and the Tennessee Army National Guard, other sponsors included Sweeping Corporation of America, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, the City of Dyersburg, Dyersburg Chamber of Commerce, Ducks Unlimited and Stites & Harbison PLC.