National non-profit supports conservation efforts

By Sherry Larson

People’s Defender

I’m not a deer hunter, but I am married to one. So, I appreciate the passion for the hunting tradition and the desire to educate and conserve.

At Friday’s Commissioner’s meeting, Commissioner Kelly Jones invited my husband Kirk and I to attend the Whitetails Unlimited event at the Willow on March 1 and 2. Initially planned for only Saturday night, the event quickly sold out and filled the Willow on both evenings. Jones thought the event would be of interest to our readers.

There were swarms of people buying raffle tickets, playing games, and bidding on auction items in hopes of winning a coveted gun, cooler, or other hunting accessory.

The event began at 5 p.m. with a delicious barbeque buffet by Smokin Express. Attendees made their way around the Willow amongst plenty of hunting chatter and accessories galore. Field Director Joel Reynolds was on his feet all evening, announcing winning tickets and promoting the cause.

“Founded in 1982, Whitetails Unlimited is a national non-profit conservation organization that has remained true to its mission and has made great strides in the field of conservation. We have gained the reputation of being the nation’s premier organization, dedicating our resources to the betterment of the white-tailed deer and its environment.” (whitetailsunlimited.com)

The Whitetails Unlimited motto is “working for an American tradition.” Reynolds took a few minutes to answer questions for this hunting event novice. He does 30 events in southwest Ohio and one in Kentucky. Reynolds works two seasons. The spring season runs from January to May, and the fall season runs from August to December. The non-profit organization contributes to the conservation of the outdoors, including anti-poaching programs, kid hunts, veteran hunts and more.

Reynolds has worked for Whitetails Unlimited since 2005, when he started part-time. He retired from the Air Force in 2020 and became a full-time employee. He loves his job! He said, “Everything I do makes people happy.” Whitetails Unlimited is headquartered in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, and the organization is in 36 states.

The Larsons decided to call it a night at about 8:15, having relinquished the idea of winning a prize and thinking we had covered all the bases. Kirk handed his last set of tickets for the “mystery prize” to Rhonda Jones, chuckling when he asked, “If I win, can you let us know.?” Thirty minutes later, we were near our house, and Kelly Jones phoned to tell Kirk he had won a gun. At first, Kirk thought he was joking - but he sure wasn’t. So, we turned around and returned to Winchester for a background check and new gun retrieval.

All in all, the event was a fun and informational evening. Reynolds reported the two-night event brought in thousands of dollars with some of the proceeds going to the Adams County Whitetails Unlimited Chapter. The Larsons arrived home later than planned – happy husband in tow. I don’t often bring my husband to work, but on this occasion, he is awfully glad I did.