Dine For Turkeys

Fund-raising banquet

The Spokane chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation has set its annual fund-raising auction for April 4, with cocktail service beginning at 5 p.m. at the Spokane Community College Lair.

“Our banquets are a hoot,” said Dave Murphy, club member. “The banquet is set on the eve of the turkey season and we’re all fired up, with calls and everything.”

Although only a few years old, the club has plunged into conservation efforts for wild turkeys.

“The national federation’s goal is to have wild turkeys introduced to all the available habitat in the country by the year 2000,” said Murphy.

“We’ve moved excess turkeys from Stevens County to Pend Oreille County and the results are amazing. Hens across the state have nesting success of about 50 percent. Each hen lays 10-12 eggs. For every 10 hens we move, you can see we make a significant difference to the turkey population.”

Cost for the banquet is $70 for couples and $60 for singles. To reserve tickets, call (509) 467-5444 or 466-5936. , DataTimes