NWTF South Dakota’s Mike McKernan is receiving national recognition from the National Wild Turkey Federation as one of the recipients of the Roger M. Latham Sportsman Wild Turkey Service Awards for his extraordinary dedication to the organization’s mission. McKernan received the Roger M. Latham Sportsman Wild Turkey Service Award during the NWTF’s 50th annual Convention and Sport Show, sponsored by Mossy Oak.
Mike McKernan (center).
Courtesy photo.
“I was surprised,” McKernan said about winning this award. “I’ve been with NWTF for over 20 years now, and I started my own chapter after getting bit by the turkey bug. A big thanks to the NWTF for getting me involved and giving me experiences I wouldn’t have otherwise had. I don’t know if I’ve ever been as passionate about anything else.”
McKernan caught that bug in 1999 when he was asked by a friend to go on a memorial turkey hunt. He had never been turkey hunting but was willing to try, so in mid-April in western South Dakota, the gentlemen went out to turkey camp. Despite freezing rain and early mornings, McKernan was hooked.
“It was something about being out in the morning, hearing them gobbling,” McKernan recalled. “When I got home from that hunt, I spent $500 on gear, and the next year I drew a tag, learned how to hunt. It was a blast calling, being outside seeing everything. There was also frustration and challenge, but I had never had so much fun.”
McKernan has now been a dedicated NWTF member for over 26 years. He is a member of the NWTF Whetstone Gobblers Chapter, serving as chapter president, banquet chairman and oversees the chapter’s financials. McKernan was elected to the NWTF South Dakota State Board where he has served as president, vice president and director of the board. While he was on the state board, he was deeply involved in rewriting the NWTF South Dakota State Constitution. McKernan also served on the NWTF National Board of Directors. He remains one of the state chapter’s leaders in organizing, hosting and volunteering at R3 events.
In 2013, the NWTF South Dakota State Board inducted him into the state hall of fame.
McKernan volunteers as an NWTF instructor at the Wildlife Federation Youth Camp in the Black Hills of South Dakota, where he helps educate the young attendees on the wild turkey and turkey ecology.
McKernan plays a major role in planning the South Dakota NWTF State Wheelin’ Sportsmen pheasant hunt, volunteering at the event as an EMS worker and a walker who busts up birds for participating hunters to shoot. He also cleans harvested birds and helps the caterer with feeding everyone.
Also…..
Tad and Kathy Jacobs’ devotion to providing outdoor opportunities to individuals with mobility impairments and special needs earned them the Wheelin’ Sportsmen Volunteer of the Year Award from the National Wild Turkey Federation.
Tad and Kathy Jacobs (left and center).
Courtesy photo.
“We live on a farm and we love to hunt,” Kathy said. “So, it is an honor for us to use our property to provide access to a pheasant hunt for those who hunting is not accessible due to a disability. We think it’s important to share this with everybody.”
The couple accepted the Wheelin’ Sportsmen Volunteer of the Year Award during the NWTF’s 50th annual Convention and Sport Show, sponsored by Mossy Oak.
After becoming NWTF members in 2005, the couple hit the ground running. They got involved with their local chapter, the NWTF Big Sioux Chapter, where Tad is now the chapter president and banquet chairman. He is also on the NWTF South Dakota State Board of Directors.
Tad and Kathy own Sioux River Wildlife, where they have hosted the South Dakota NWTF State Chapter’s annual Wheelin’ Sportsmen pheasant hunt since 2014. Their most recent hunt welcomed 24 hunters and 42 volunteers, along with some hardworking dogs. By the end of the hunt, participants harvested 103 birds.
They not only share their land with the disabled hunters, but they also share friendship and camaraderie. The donation of their time, expertise, property, and resources has been some of the main reasons for the growth and success of the NWTF South Dakota Wheelin’ Pheasant Hunt. They ask for nothing in return, except for a smile.
“This last fall, we had 29 hunters including a couple with spinal injuries. This year, with the assistance of technology, the gentleman shot his first pheasant,” Tad said. “That is the reason we do this. But it wouldn’t be possible without all of the volunteers, and we’re grateful to all of them. It definitely takes an army.”
Kathy coordinates hunter registration and prepares the facility for the event while Tad, with the help of Ron Schauer, organizes the hunt itself. He obtains equipment from the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks and organizes NWTF volunteers as UTV drivers or walkers in the field.
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