During the course of the four-week season I shot a 20-pound tom and had a fair amount of action with other birds. I passed up two chances for shots in favor of waiting for a bigger tom and, when the opportunity came, I missed a 25-yard shot through thick brush.

By Randy Julius Enterprise Correspondent

Turkey season ended on Saturday and I spent the morning in the woods trying to fill my second tag, but never heard or saw any birds.

During the course of the four-week season I shot a 20-pound tom and had a fair amount of action with other birds. I passed up two chances for shots in favor of waiting for a bigger tom and, when the opportunity came, I missed a 25-yard shot through thick brush.

 Mary was able to fill her two tags, so we have three birds in the freezer and my second tag is still good for the fall season (Oct. 22-Nov. 3). I’ve shot fall turkeys in Maine, but have never got one in Massachusetts, so it will be a challenge to try and accomplish that this fall. I may also go to Maine for a day next week as their spring turkey season is open until June 2, but realistically I’d be smarter to stay home and catch up on spring chores.

 In last Sunday’s column I mentioned a red-fox sighting in our driveway while Mary and I were heading out to go turkey hunting. I also wrote about the increasing number of reports of foxes in residential areas raising their pups in dens under sheds, barns, porches, etc.

 On Monday Bob Cavanagh of East Bridgewater stopped by to show me an album of 69 photographs he took in 2005 of a family of grey foxes that were living next to his house under a shed and wood pile. He said he started taking pictures on June 12 shortly after the five pups (kits) were born. It took him until July 2 to completely befriend the young foxes and they would actually take food from his hand.

 Freshwater fishing derby: The Wankinquoah Rod and Gun Club will be holding its annual Tihonet Pond Fishing Derby in Wareham next weekend. The event will be held Sunday. Check-in begins at 4 a.m. Fishing begins at 6 a.m. and awards are at 2 p.m. The derby falls on the Massachusetts Free Fishing Weekend, therefore, fishing licenses are not required. The fee is $12 for adults and $3 for children age 14 and younger. The fee includes breakfast.

 “It’s a terrific day, whether you’re a serious fisherman or you just want to enjoy some fun with your kids. It’s amazing to see entire families enjoying the day on the pond,” said Charlie Wade, president of the Wankinquoah Rod and Gun Club. “This event brings back many memories for people who have fished here for years and is also a great opportunity to make new friends.”

 Shawn Clark, adviser for the club’s youth group, said the event has really grown in the past few years, just like the Associates youth program has.

“We will offer a free pancake breakfast, have bait to purchase, and Makepeace Farms will have lunch specials on site," said Clark. "Best of all, it allows our Associates to show responsibility in planning, promoting, and running a legacy event for the club. I am so impressed that this event is basically run by teenage kids.”

 Prizes will be awarded in multiple categories for adults and juniors. There will be a raffle for a 10-foot Tracker Jon Boat with a trolling motor (over a $900 value), an Old Town 111 Kayak with Scotty rod holder (over $700 value) and a GoPro camera. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Wankinquoah Rod and Gun Club’s youth group. Prizes and raffles were made possible through the generosity of Nemasket Kayak Center, M&D’s Bait & Tackle, Tom’s Bait and Tackle, Zecco Marine, Sullivan’s Wine and Spirits, Captain Bub’s Marine, Impact Expressions, Malden International, and The Shirt Shack.

 Anglers can fish from shore, or bring their boat, canoe or kayak. Nemasket Kayak Center in Tihonet Village is offering rentals during the derby. Representatives from the Wareham Harbormaster’s Department will be on hand to discuss boat and water safety with attendees. Life preservers are required for anyone who would like to put a boat in for the event. The harbormaster will have a limited selection on hand to borrow if necessary. Combustion engines are not allowed on Tihonet Pond.

 Online registration and more information about the Associate’s program may be found at www.wrgclub.org. Registration forms are also available at The Shirt Shack, Nemasket Kayak Center or M&Ds Bait & Tackle. Pre-registration is highly recommended and is offered online in advance or in person on Saturday from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. at the Box Mill Hall, Tihonet Village, 150 Tihonet Road, Wareham. Anglers may also register the day of the derby anytime between 4 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. For more information, call 508-295-1000.

 The A.D. Makepeace Company, host of the event, is the world’s largest cranberry grower, the largest private property owner in eastern Massachusetts and a recognized leader in environmentally responsible real estate development and land stewardship.

 Enterprise correspondent Randy Julius’ "Outdoors'' column appears on Sunday in The Enterprise.