In the more populated areas of the country, people come together over a wide variety of things. Movies, clubs, bars, parties, politics, protest, and things of the like bring people out in droves.
But in the countryside, where life is slower and quieter, people come together in different ways, including the age old practice of hunting. All year round, all around the country, families and friends stalk silently out into the wilderness together in the hopes of bringing home both food and trophies.
Tom Bergholz of Tom’s Guns in Marshall was just one of these individuals who not only spent years hunting in the woods, but realized it bring the community together as well. For over 20 years, he and his wife Julie Bergholz did just that.
Alas, all good things must come to an end. On March 20, Tom Bergholz passed away peacefully at his home, and with him went the yearly turkey hunts he and Julie hosted.
The surrounding area has no shortage of critters to hunt, and each offers their own unique challenges and necessary skillsets. For whitetail and other bigger game, hunters often arrive to their spots in the wee hours of the morning, only to sit in perfectly still silence for hours on end, often in bitterly cold temperatures.
Waterfowl and upland game birds require patience and skill in both using bird calls and shooting. Small game like rabbits, fox, mink, beaver, and raccoon require time as well as patience and attention to detail when deciding where to set traps or lie in wait.
Then there are turkeys, which, contrary to popular belief, can be a rather tricky and elusive quarry. Tom Bergholz, a lifelong outdoorsman, was an expert at seeking the Thanksgiving favorites out though, and he taught quite a number of Marshall residents over the years his ways.
“He just loved to hunt and be outdoors,” said (Julie) Bergholz, gesturing to poster boards around Tom’s Guns plastered with pictures of successful hunts Tom and other clients had gone on.
“He particularly liked turkey hunting though. So, 20 some years ago, we decided to host these Learn to Hunt programs. I always organized all the participants and places to go, and he would take them out and teach them. The most exciting part for both of us was getting to watch a hunter be born. So many people have never had the chance to experience it, so part of our enjoyment was being able to provide them the opportunity too as well,” Julie Bergholz said.
The Bergholz’s joys and goals with the program aside, the hunts quickly became a popular and beloved community event drawing people to come together, enjoy each other, and learn something new. As turkey seasons flipped by, the program even became generational for some residents.
Dan Hellenbrand, a native of Marshall who participated, not only remained involved, but brought his family in as well.
“I got my first two turkeys with Tom when I was 15 years old,” Hellenbrand said. “In back-to-back seasons, that is — so that must have been about 1997 or 1998. Anyway, Tom called the birds in for me and the rest was history.”
Hellenbrand began guiding other kids and first timers with Tom, and all of his children have gone through their program.
“I’m going to miss seeing kids and new hunters getting excited about going out or getting their first bird. I was always proud to give people the opportunity to learn something new. I think the community is going to miss these hunts and realize how much of an impact they had for so long. They really brought a lot of us together,” Hellenbrand said.
Julie Bergholz pointed out the distinction between a youth hunt and a Learn to Hunt event. The regulations for youth hunting , which take place during the youth season, state that “hunters who are less than 14 years of age must be supervised by an adult while hunting. Hunters who are 12-13 years of age must obtain a hunter education certificate, and be supervised by an adult. Hunters who are 14 years of age or older are permitted to hunt alone as long as they have obtained hunter education certification.”
In contrast, the Bergholzs’ Learn to Hunt events have no age restrictions as long as proper guides are present.
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