On Saturday, Tennessee Wildlife Federation celebrated a milestone at the 17th annual Davis P. Rice Memorial Youth Waterfowl Hunt, surpassing 2,000 youth participants since the event’s inception.
Established in memory of Davis Rice, an avid outdoorsman who passed away in 2007, the hunt—hosted by the Federation’s Hunting and Fishing Academy—introduces young people to the traditions of waterfowl hunting and conservation. More than 2,000 youth from across Tennessee have now participated in the hunt, gaining firsthand experience in waterfowl hunting.
To commemorate this milestone, the Federation awarded a lifetime sportsman’s license to the 2,000th registrant, Ryker Larson of Clarksville, Tenn. Each year, thanks to the generosity of the Rice family, one youth hunter is selected to receive a lifetime sportsman’s license. However, this year’s recipient was chosen to mark the event’s achievement, rather than through a random drawing.
Lifetime Sportsman License winner Ryker Larson (center) with the Federation’s Director of Programs, J.W. Worthen (left) and Tom Rice (right).
A Weekend of Education and Celebration
The event began Friday night with a banquet at the Lannom Center in Dyersburg, Tenn., where more than 200 hunters, their guardians, volunteers, sponsors, and supporters gathered for an evening of camaraderie and education. Attendees browsed silent auction items, enjoyed barbecue prepared by Neil Henry, heard from guest speaker Nate Steelman of the Cohen Wildlife Lab, and participated in a Duck Hunting 101 class led by longtime Federation volunteer Matt Brink, all in preparation for the morning’s hunt.
Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency Executive Director Jason Maxedon (center), Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission Chairman Jimmy Granbery (second to right), and Commissioner Wally Childress (second to left) were among those in attendance, showing their support for the next generation of sportsmen and women.
Mike Butler, CEO of the Federation (far left), and Jeb Beasley, Hunting and Fishing Manager (far right), presented Director Maxedon with a commemorative picture signed by all youth participants.
On Saturday morning, 81 young hunters, accompanied by parents or guardians, took to the blinds alongside seasoned volunteers. The hunt, held on the season’s final weekend for youth and veterans, provided an unforgettable experience for participants—many of whom had never hunted before.
A Decade-Long Sponsorship
Strong support has been key to the success of the Davis P. Rice Memorial Youth Waterfowl Hunt. For more than a decade, Delta Waterfowl has been the title sponsor of this Federation event. “Sponsorships like this show how shared values can lead to meaningful impact,” said Jeb Beasley, Hunting and Fishing Academy manager. “The Federation and Delta Waterfowl are committed to introducing new hunters to the sport and preserving its traditions for future generations.”
2014 Davis P. Rice Memorial Youth Waterfowl Hunt sponsored by Delta Waterfowl.
This year’s event was made possible through the generous contributions of additional sponsors, including Ducks Unlimited, Cypress Creek Outdoors, Tom Rice and Family, E. Star Taxidermy, Sunnyside Offroad, Vortex Optics, Divebomb Industries, Drake Waterfowl, and Jake Frazier’s Custom Calls.
Feature photo by Marcus Dortch
