04/05/2026
Youth Weekend kicked off yesterday here in NC and we had two hunters who showed nothing but grit, patience, and heart.
We started the day with HTO’s own IzzyJae and a new youth hunter James heading out on separate properties, both hoping to connect early.
Izzy’s morning was quiet on the trigger but full of excitement.. just not so much for her while she grabbed “the best nap ever” in the blind, and Josh and Megan listened to gobbles echo through the woods off in the distance— the kind that make your heart jump even when you aren’t quite awake yet. A curious hen even hung out with them for nearly an hour, keeping things interesting even without a shot opportunity.
Across the way, James and his family along with Sean were experiencing a very different kind of morning. The woods were still and quiet — the kind of uneventful sit every hunter knows well. No excitement, no gobbles, no movement, just patience and hope carrying them through slow hours.
Everyone went back to the Simmonds’ house a little before 11am for a nap, some food, relaxation and rest before another evening in the woods.
Izzy and her crew were back out around 230, hoping to catch a bird slipping through the field. About thirty minutes in, two hens came in from behind them… and fifteen minutes later, they dragged out a beautiful tom like they were escorting royalty. Izzy settled in, made a perfect shot, and wrapped up her Youth Weekend bird in a 45‑minute afternoon hunt. Pure magic.
Meanwhile, patience finally paid off for James. After a couple hours of quiet woods, heat hot enough to melt and a lot of waiting, a gorgeous tom finally slipped in silently to their setup. He gave James all the time he needed to breathe, settle, and make a clean, confident shot. And just like that, his first turkey was on the ground — and a new passion was born… not just for James, but his entire family.
His exact words afterward:
“Nothing is going to stop me from turkey hunting now!”
These are the days we live for. Long, hot, quiet, thrilling, exhausting, unforgettable — and absolutely worth every second to watch young hunters fall in love with the outdoors.
