By Brenda Valentine
First Lady of Hunting®
August 5, 2009

The 13th Annual NWTF 4-State Jamboree kicked off on July 30th with a Wheelin' Sportsmen fundraiser banquet in Bossier City, LA. Don & Barbara Davis, owners of Mr Butt's Barbecue of Grayson, Louisiana, catered the delicious meal. Pictured here with Brenda is Mr. Davis.

Legendary call maker, Eli Haydel and his lovely wife were among those supporting the event for hunters with disabilities.

Among the attendees joining the 4-State event in Shreveport, LA were these ladies with an attention grabbing message about the quest to find a cure for breast cancer.

NWTF staff and volunteers from Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, and Oklahoma gathered to share ideas, raise money, renew friendships, and have fun. The Friday night welcome party was a perfect kick-off for a successful event.

An interesting line-up of informative speakers kept the attention of the packed crowd all day on Saturday.

There were lots of special guests in attendance such as NWTF CEO George Thornton and National Board members, Gene Denton of Arkansas, Jere Peak of Alabama, and Doc Detmer of Missouri.

George C. Thornton, NWTF CEO

The fun meter rose several notches during the Saturday night costume banquet. This years theme was super heroes and a wide range of characters were in attendance.

Super Hero, Audie Murphy, was the crowd favorite.

These lady super heroes are BatGirl Becki Evans, Oklahoma, CatWoman Marilee Frazier, Texas & BatGirl Brenda Valentine, Tennessee.

A squad of Ghost Busters was on patrol.

This particular BatMan can usually be found in Brent Lawrence's office at NWTF headquarters in Edgefield, SC.

There were lots of enthusiastic auction bidders and raffle winners. This super successful event was well organized and well staffed by a host of volunteers passionate about the conservation of wild turkeys and all wildlife species and the preservation of hunting traditions.

Read all of Brenda's Field Notes