Annual Sportsman’s Showcase to feature call-maker Preston Pittman

May 3 event in Oneida to serve as fundraiser for CASA of the Tennessee Heartland

ONEIDA—Hunters and anglers are invited to the Boys and Girls Club of Scott County for good food, good fellowship, and support of a great cause as CASA of the Tennessee Heartland hosts its second annual Scott Sportsman Showcase on May 3.

The event, slated to begin at 5 p.m., will be highlighted by Preston Pittman as the featured speaker.

The 60-year-old Pittman is called by many the world’s best turkey caller, and he has the trophies to back it up. Winning his first turkey calling championship at the age of 16, Pittman has gone on to become a seven-time national champion turkey caller, a nine-time National Champ of Champs, and has been crowned the U.S. Gobbling Champion, Grand National Gobbling Champion, and Grand National Champ of Champs. He is the only person to hold five different world titles.

Pittman is also a noted turkey hunter. He was the first person to document a Double Grand Slam (two turkeys of each of the four major sub-species of the American wild turkey) in one year. He is a member of pro staffs for Muzzy, Delta and Scent Lok.

“Hunting and fishing are huge in Scott County, and this is a great opportunity to give sportsmen something fun to do while also raising money for a great cause,” said Christy Harness, CASA’s advocacy coordinator in Scott County. “Preston Pittman is a name that anyone who turkey hunts or who watches the Outdoors Channel will recognize and we’re excited to have his support for our event.”

In addition to a meal and presentation by Pittman, there will be certified Boone and Crockett scorers on hand to score whitetail deer antlers and mounts, live and silent auctions, door prizes, and games. A 2014 Polaris Sportsman 400 ATV, courtesy of Tommy’s Motorsports in Clinton, will be raffled at the event. Raffle tickets are $10 and are currently being sold.

The Sportsman’s Showcase takes place immediately following National Child Abuse and Neglect Awareness Month. It also takes place with Tennessee’s turkey hunting season in full swing and the spring fishing season near its peak on area lakes and rivers. The event offers sportsmen an excellent opportunity to share stories of success or takes of the big one that got away.

Harness said the Sportsman Showcase is a good opportunity for hunters and anglers to learn more about CASA and support the organization.

“Children who are abused or neglected often find themselves in a lonely position when their court case rolls around,” she said. “They have to go to court to face their perpetrators. The perpetrator is represented by competent defense attorneys, but the children often have no one to represent their own best interests. CASA fills that void, but it is not possible without the support of private donors.”

Tickets for the Sportsman Showcase are $25 for adults and $10 for children ages 16 and under. They can be purchased by calling (423) 663-8943.