LOUISIANA WILD TURKEY FEDERATION DONATES TURKEY DECOYS TO ENFORCEMENT DIVISION

By Sgt. Bill Tyree, Jr.

 

In March of 2000, I attended the National Wild Turkey Federation Grand National Convention in Nashville, Tennessee on behalf of the Enforcement Division.  I was able to meet and discuss law enforcement practices with many other Wildlife Enforcement officers from throughout the country.  At a special law enforcement meeting held at the convention, other state officers expressed their great success with the use of robotic turkey decoys to catch violators.  N.W.T.F. directors expressed their willingness to purchase equipment for Enforcement Divisions with super fund monies that are readily available for such projects. When I returned home, I began to research the idea of getting our state chapter of the N.W.T.F. to purchase decoys for the Enforcement Division.  I contacted Paul Ferrell (N.W.T.F. Regional Director) and asked him if it would be possible for the L.W.T.F. (Louisiana Chapter of the N.W.T.F.) to purchase turkey decoys for the Enforcement Division.  He told me that he would present the idea to the L.W.T.F. if I would provide prices and contacts.  On August 10, 2000, the L.W.T.F.  approved spending $4,000 for the purchase of five robotic turkey decoys to be donated for Enforcement use.  In April of 2001, we received one of the turkey decoys.  Agents in Vernon Parish put the decoy out one morning and three out of six hunters that came by shot it.  That just makes you wonder how many turkeys are shot out of the window of a truck.  On August 6, 2001, the L.W.T.F. presented four of the robotic turkey decoys to the Enforcement Division. The fifth decoy was donated to the U.S. Forest Service.  The decoys will prove to be a very beneficial tool in protecting the wild turkey throughout the state through catching violators and as a deterrent.  Many turkeys will be saved from a drive-by shooting just because of the decoys' mere presence.  On behalf of the Enforcement Division, I would sincerely like to thank the N.W.T.F. and the L.W.T.F. for purchasing the decoys.