Milk River Gobblers continue mission, plan banquet

The Milk River Gobblers met for their weekly meeting Thursday and discussed their upcoming banquet and scholarship they give away at the end of each school year.

The group was recently formed to promote game birds, conservation and hunting and outdoor recreation.

“We are local group that all money collected stays within the community,” Milk River Gobblers member Tim Goggins said. “We are trying to do a lot more in the community.”

It is moving forward with its annual fundraiser and banquet celebration.

The second annual Milk River Gobblers banquet is set for Saturday, Feb. 1 at the Havre Eagles Club starting at 5:30 p.m., with cocktails followed by dinner at 6 p.m.

People interested in donating items for the banquet’s live and silent auctions can contact Lance Johnson at 390-1542.

Johnson said the deadline for donating items will be Saturday, Jan. 25.

The annual Milk River Gobblers Scholarship Program is available for 2020 high school graduates in Liberty, Hill, Blaine and Phillips counties.

Milk River Gobblers member Jeff Dibblee said the scholarship selection criteria is for students who plan to attend any higher education institution within the next year. It is measured by grades and transcripts, an essay and participation in extra-curricular activities.

The group said the deadline for applications is the first of May and people can pick up any of the applications from any member in the group.

The Milk River Gobblers purpose statement said the group was formed to: 

• Improve and conserve turkey and other upland game birds.

• Organize and educate hunters and outdoorsmen to promote turkey and upland bird hunting.

• Develop and maintain habitat and programs in suitable areas.

• Support, build and maintain suitable habitat, developinmg hatchery programs that may be suitable for the area.

• Support any worthwhile hunting, fishing, wildlife or recreational program organized for pleasure, or other non-profit purpose.

An organization and objectives document said the group’s objectives are to:

• Dedicate its members by social and educational means to the conservation and propagation of turkey habitat, to support true sportsmanship in a lawful and legal manner among those who hunt; to promote and encourage good fellowship among sportsman; to encourage support of Fish, Wildlife and Parks laws; to work for the respect and knowledge of the just rights of property owners, and to work for support and encourage a close, friendly relationship between property owners and sportsmen.

• Dedicated to introducing youths to turkey hunting to educate them to become ethical and responsible sportsmen that respect and conserve fish and wildlife to respect and preserve public lands and public access, and to abide by FWP laws and acknowledge the just rights of property owners.

The next Milk River Gobblers meeting will be held Thursday, Jan. 16, at 6:30 p.m. at the Havre Elks Club.

“It’s a pretty good group of guys, and girls can join, too,” Milk River Gobblers member Kelly Walker said.