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By Carey Reeder | Staff Writer

The Chilton County National Wild Turkey Federation Chapter is hosting its annual Hunting Heritage Banquet on March 12 to raise money for wild turkey conservation. The chapter’s biggest yearly event will take place at The Back Porch Venue, 4598 County Road 49 in Clanton with doors opening at 5 p.m.

The banquet made a comeback last year after being cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but the attendance was around half of what it was prior to the pandemic stoppage. Chapter president Brian Jones hopes the attendance is back up this year “to help get the fundraising up.”

“Everyone thinks, if you don’t hunt then you save the animals, but that’s not the case,” Jones said. “What hurts the animals the most is the (lack) nof conservation of lands, if you’re constantly affecting lands (negatively) the animal population has to move around, and it just hurts them.”

There will be silent auctions and a live auction at the banquet including raffle tickets sold throughout the evening for items. Some of the items up for bidding include guns, hunting equipment, pictures and much more.

Food and drinks will be catered by Valle Grand Mexican Grill in Maplesville.

Corporate tables are available for businesses ranging from $600-$2,500, and include tickets to the banquet, memberships and gift cards.

The NWTF has chapters across the United States, and the Chilton County chapter has been around for over 10 years.

Tim Wilson of Roper and Wilson Attorneys at Law, along with Jones and others, founded the chapter. Jones took over the president role a few years ago.

“We need to preserve our hunting heritage,” Jones said. “Me and my family have always hunted, and I want to be able to pass down our heritage of hunting to my family in the future.”

Tickets for the banquet can be purchased at Clanton Outdoors, 301 Third Ave. N in Clanton.