Turkey hunting season is almost upon us once again. Around this time every year, the local Dallas County chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation hosts an annual banquet to get ready for the upcoming season.

Friday was no exception to this long-standing tradition as hunters, conservationists and outdoorsmen filled around 250 seats at Carl C. Morgan convention center.

“It’s by far our biggest event every year,’ said Jason Potvin a committee member for the Dallas County NWTF chapter, which calls it’s self the “Blaster” chapter.

“The Blaster Chapter is one of the best chapters in the state,” said Potvin. “This event raises a lot of money for conversation every year.

The convention center was filled with turkey hunters and their families from across the state. The banquet featured a seafood meal from Roussos of Mobile and a silent and live auction featuring knives, firearms, wildlife artwork, luggage and hunting gear.

After the banquet is paid for, all other money collected from the event goes back to the NWTF fund where it is used to preserve and protect public hunting land and wild turkey habitats.

To more information about the conservation efforts of The NWTF, visit NWTF.org.