Trenton resident Bill Gutshall will be the special guest at the Princeton Rotary Youth Turkey Calling Contest and Outdoor Expo. The event will be held at Princeton Elementary School on March 23 from 8:30 a.m. to noon.
Sign-in for turkey contestants and open owl calling will go from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Gutshall will give a Turkey Talk at 9 a.m. Contestants will be introduced, and the calling competition will start at 10 a.m. The youth turkey-calling contest will begin at 10:15 a.m. The open owl calling competition will start at 11 a.m. Awards and a raffle drawing will be held at 11:45 a.m.
The turkey calling competition will be divided into three age divisions: eight and younger, nine to 12, and 13 to 15. There is a $5 entry fee. A certificate and prize money will be awarded, including $50 for first place, $35 for second place, and $25 for third place.
The open owl calling class will also be divided into three age divisions: 12 and younger, 13 to 15, and 16 and older. The entry fee is $5. Prize money will be awarded, including $30 for first place, $20 for second place, and $10 for third place.
The Princeton School team will also hold an archery competition from 10 a.m. to noon. There will be vendor tables available for $20 per table. A silent auction will include turkey hunting calls, hunting equipment, blinds, apparel, and gear.
There will also be a concession stand with homemade cinnamon rolls by Marcia Cox. Preorders for cinnamon rolls will be accepted until March 21. Preorders will cost $20 per dozen.
A gun drawing will be held. The winner will have the option to choose either a $400 credit at Wood’s Gun Shop in Princeton or a $400 credit at Hilltop Archery and Gun Shop in Eagleville.
The Princeton Rotary Club reports that Bill Gutshall is a native of Chillicothe. He started turkey hunting at the age of 12, harvested his first turkey at 14, and has harvested turkeys in several states. He has guided more than 100 successful turkey hunts.
Gutshall won his first turkey calling contest at the age of 16. His most recent turkey-calling win was in the 2020 Gobble Challenge hosted by Drury Outdoors.
For more information on the Princeton Rotary Youth Turkey Calling Contest and Outdoor Expo on March 23, please call Matt Krohn at 660-635-1299. More information is also available on the Princeton Rotary Club Facebook page.
