Parker Colburn's First Turkey

By Darr Colburn

 My oldest son Parker (age 11) drew a juniors turkey tag in Arizona unit 23.  He had the same tag last year and after hunting hard for three days came home without getting a bird.  This year we decided it would be fun to stay at the Marvin Robbins Memorial juniors camp put on by the National Wild Turkey Federation, Arizona Elk Society and the Arizona Game and Fish department.  We got to camp Friday afternoon and set up our tent.  We checked in and talked to some old friends and met some new people.  The camp atmosphere was great with lots of things for the kids to do.  Marvin Robbins was a friend of mine and I attended many of his turkey seminars at the Desert Christian Archers meetings.  He was also great to Parker and gave him a pocket knife and several turkey calls.  I know he was looking down on us on this hunt.  I called Parker's bird into 10 yards and he made a great shot.  Parker told me when the bird popped out and he saw the beard he just had to shoot it.  I would like to give a huge thank you for all the volunteers and groups that helped put this camp on.