Heartland Gobblers event raises $45,000 for NWTF

The 26th annual banquet of the Heartland Gobblers chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation drew 170 supporters Saturday for what organizers called a big success.

The event, said chapter president Chuck Stewart, grossed around $45,000 for the NWTF’s habitat programs.

“It was a successful banquet, and we had a good-sized crowd,” Stewart said.

Heartland Gobblers president Chuck Stewart presents Puxico senior Easton McLain with a scholarship during Saturday’s banquet. DAR/PAUL DAVIS

The event opened with an extended social hour, with games, raffles and a silent auction for items like knives, hunting gear, NWTF merchandise, kitchenware and more.

The social hour was followed by a steak dinner, prepared by the Brown-Mabry American Legion Post 153’s cook team.

“The legion did a good job with the steaks,” Stewart noted.

Haven Willis volunteered his auctioneering services for the live auction again this year, sending things like framed prints, furniture, limited-edition turkey calls and more home with the highest bidders.

A wood duck box and bluebird house made by committee members Justin Montgomery and his father, David Montgomery, were especially popular with auction bidders, Stewart said.

During the event, Puxico High School senior Easton McLain was presented with a scholarship from the Heartland Gobblers NWTF chapter.

Twenty-five guns were given away over the course of the night, Stewart said, including the NWTF Gun of the Year, a Benelli M2 shotgun, which was won by Rusty Tanner. Baker Miles won the special-edition NWTF Kimber 1911 pistol, and Cindy Jackson took home the Browning A-Bolt rifle.

This year’s banquet, Stewart said, drew 51 local sponsors. Those sponsors, he said, are critical to offsetting banquet costs and ensure more funds go into the NWTF’s on-the-ground wildlife habitat work.

Next year’s banquet has been scheduled for March 14 at the Brown-Mabry American Legion Post 153.

Planning for the vent already is underway, and anyone wanting to volunteer to help the organization can get in touch with Stewart at 573-421-1257 to do so.