NATCHEZ — In just a few years the Miss-Lou Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation’s annual fundraising banquet has gone from a boys’ club get-together to a family affair for all ages, and that is just what the NWTF members and their families wanted.

Thursday night the Miss-Lou Chapter hosted its banquet, and for the first time there was a children’s corner dedicated to entertaining the youngest turkey hunting family members.

“The kids’ corner is a complete success,” Miss-Lou Chapter President Stephen Edwards said. “The kids are having a good time. They have three different games to play and they are all getting prizes.”

The Miss-Lou Chapter has made a great effort to expand its reach beyond the adult male members of the family, and committee member Brian Fisher said the new features at this year’s banquet were another step in that direction.

“We’ve added the kids’ corner in efforts to get more women involved and get kids involved, and we had a great turnout.”

Kristy Atkins said the shift toward getting the family involved had an impact on her family’s involvement with the banquet.

“We have not been (to the banquet) in quite a while,” Atkins said. “It had not been child friendly. But they offered (the children’s activities this year). I think they did a great job.”

Atkins was there with her husband Leon and their five children, and she said her children had a lot of fun participating in the moon bounce, the archery competition and the BB gun range.

“I do like (the children’s activities),” Atkins’ oldest son Walker Allen said. “It helped me improve my bow skills. I learned that with the bow you have to aim lower and not straight on.”

Walker’s younger brother, Sawyer Allen, also participated in the shooting competitions and was rewarded with a hunting DVD and a turkey call for his ability to hit the bullseye with the BB gun.

“This is good because people are learning to shoot and hold the guns,” Sawyer said. “I learned that you have to take your time and have to have patience.”

County Agent David Carter was at the banquet to assist the young shooters in the BB gun range, and he said his goals were to let the children have fun but to also teach safety, how to aim and conservation.

Lew Harveston attended the banquet for the first time and brought along his 4-year-old son Grant. Harveston said Grant enjoyed the activities, and he is interested in getting more involved with the Miss-Lou NWTF.

“I really don’t know a whole lot about the local chapter, but I was a member in Hattiesburg and am looking to get involved again,” Harveston said.

Twelve-year-old Jason Rodgers said he had been to the banquet before, and he was glad there was more to do this year.

“It’s better than just walking around,” Rodgers said.

Rodgers said he was very excited about the opening of the youth turkey season this weekend, and he hopes to add to the one turkey that he killed last season.

Despite the family atmosphere, Edwards said branching out is just another step in expanding the NWTF message to a wider audience.

“It’s still about hunting and turkey conservation, but it’s also about getting youth and women outdoors,” he said.

Edwards said approximately 250 people made it to the banquet and participated in the children’s activities, auction and dinner.

The banquet still had plenty of things to do for the men in the family and several hunting vacations, guns and gear were available in the auction.

Natchez-native Stanley Cooper said he attends the banquet every year, and it is nice to come out and see the turkey hunting community.

Cooper said he enjoys the camaraderie and conversation at the banquet and enjoys seeing old friends and telling hunting stories.

Cooper said he was glad to see more women and children at the banquet this year as well.

“I grew up hunting with my father and being out in the woods, so I have fond memories of being with him,” he said. “I think it’s a good thing to get more people exposed and have more of a family atmosphere.”

Edwards said funds raised at the banquet would go toward the Mississippi State Chapter of the NWTF after a percentage is sent to the national chapter.

Edwards said the banquet also raised money for a youth program the Miss-Lou chapter is planning this summer.

“I can partner with the Adams County 4-H to sponsor a youth, or JAKES, event,” he said. “We want to do a fundraiser event for kids, and we’ll probably get the BB gun range out again and get the kids involved.”