Turkey Tales and Tourism: Lt. Gov Turkey Hunt returns to Duncan
April 22, 2026
Hunters and guides reminisced about their turkey hunting trips during the annual Turkey Tales event hosted by Duncan Area Economic Development Foundation. Source: Jason Hodges/Duncan Banner
A long-standing tradition of tales from the Turkey Hunt brought hunters on the Lt. Governor’s tour together on the Kochendorfer patio to tell of their adventures Thursday evening.
The annual dinner brought eight hunters, alongside their guides, together as the feather in the cap ending of the annual Lt. Gov. Turkey Hunt.
The Lt. Gov.’s annual turkey hunt tour showcases Oklahoma communities to prospective out-of-state companies and site selection representatives. The seven communities participating this year were Woodward, Elk City, Alva, Duncan, Ardmore, Okemah and the Southeast Oklahoma Regional Group (Hugo).
The traditionally hosted Turkey Tales dinner, a ritual to closing the hunt in Duncan, brought several guests out to Kochendorfer Brewing Company this past Thursday night. The hunt has statewide events with guests from all over to help build relationships and further economic development throughout the state. Duncan Area Economic Development Foundation has led Duncan’s hunt for many years, pairing guests with local hunting guides.
The celebratory evening is a tradition which allows hunters and their guides to tell about their experiences and adventures.
DAEDF President and CEO Lyle Roggow welcomed everyone to the hunt’s closing event and recognized several elected officials, city and county representatives and DAEDF’s Board of Directors and staff.
During Thursday’s dinner, duos – a hunter and a guide – stepped up to the podium to share their experiences of the hunt.
The evening commenced with two teams, who captured no bird, who told their story with their guides, all of which brought comical and noteworthy moments. Duos included hunter Kenny Weaver and guide Jerry Williams, along with Brandon Hiett, hunter and Trey Anderson, guide.
Then, Roggow introduced those who placed, from sixth to first.
Those who placed were: sixth place - Thuan Nguyen, hunter and Chuck Siess, guide; fifth place - Derek Williamson, hunter and Darin Ingram, guide; fourth place - Mike Sibble, hunter and Richard Anderson, guide; third place - Darin Diorio, hunter and Tony High, guide; second place - Bret Willard, hunter and Matt Labyer, guide.
Coming in first place, Stephen Hemphill, hunter, and Matt Byerly, guide, stepped up to the podium to tell their adventure stories.
After setting up and getting ready, Hemphill said he could hear the turkeys coming from all around. He said after calling the turkeys, they were coming from far away, turning and coming back.
“The hen comes right up to us,” he said. “The other birds are coming.”
Hemphill said Byerly told him to wait to shoot. He said the two waited a little longer.
“We went for a walk, we saw a deer, it was super cool,” Hemphill said.
After walking around, Hemphill said the two heard another turkey. He said the bird was completely hidden behind the tree.
After discussing whether or not to shoot, Hemphill said he leaned forward.
“As I’m leaning forward it takes off running the other way,” he said. “I shoot it, we hit it, it was amazing.”
Hemphill said it’s a great feeling to come full circle.
“I can’t tell you what it’s like to go from last to first,” he said. “I think I just did.”
Byerly said he’s been attending the hunts for nine years.
“I’ve been at the bottom of the barrel for nine years,” Byerly said. “I didn’t care how bad he wanted to shoot one, we wouldn’t shoot a little one.”
Byerly said Hemphill stayed patient and waited for a good one.
Additional awards were presented to Darin Diorio who won an indoor shooting contest at Murf’s Indoor Shooting Range and Brandon Hiett who won the golf simulator contest at Bogey Golf.
Award recipients:
– First place: Stephen Hemphill, hunter and Matt Byerly, guide
Body Weight: 22.7
Beard Length: 10.5
Spur Length: 1.220 and 1.015
Index: 66.05
– Second place: Bret Willard, hunter and Matt Labyer, guide
Body Weight: 18.2
Beard Length: 9.25
Spur Length: 1.06 and 1.09
Index: 58.20
– Third place: Darin Diorio, hunter and Tony High, guide
Body Weight: 20.1
Beard Length: 9.5
Spur Length: .825 and .782
Index:
– Fourth place: Mike Sibble, hunter and Richard Anderson, guide
Body Weight: 18.7
Beard Length: 9.75
Spur Length: .865 and .825
Index: 55.17
– Fifth place: Derek Williamson, hunter and Darin Ingram, guide
Body Weight: 19.3
Beard Length: 9
Spur Length: .824 and .911
Index: 54.62
– Sixth place: Thuan Nguyen, hunter and Chuck Siess, guide
Body Weight: 12.7
Beard Length: 3
Spur Length: .275 and .255
Index: 24
No birds:
– Kenny Weaver, hunter and Jerry Williams, guide
– Brandon Hiett, hunter and Trey Anderson, guide
– Patrick Connors, guest attending, did not hunt
ADD ITEM TO REPORT
As you navigate our website, you can use the “Add Item to Report” button to add any page or property to a custom report that you can print out or save.