Mission - 1 2 3 5 7 8

A Glance
2011-2012
- Mission -
Dedicated to the Conservation of the Wild Turkey
and the Preservation of our Hunting Heritage
History
The National Wild Turkey Federation is the
leader in upland wildlife habitat conservation in
North America. A nonprofit organization dedicated
to conserving the wild turkey and preserving our
hunting heritage, the NWTF and its volunteers work
closely with state, federal and provincial wildlife
agencies and other partners.
Through these dynamic partnerships, the
NWTF and its members helped restore wild turkey
populations throughout North America, spending
more than $331 million to conserve nearly 16 million
acres of habitat. Wild turkeys and hundreds of other
species of upland wildlife, including quail, deer,
grouse, pheasant and songbirds, benefit from this
improved habitat.
The NWTF also brings new conservationists
and hunters into the fold through outdoor education
events and its Women in the Outdoors, Wheelin’
Sportsmen, JAKES and Xtreme JAKES youth
outreach programs. Dedicated NWTF volunteers
introduce about 100,000 people to the outdoors
through these programs every year.
Founded in 1973, the NWTF is headquartered
in Edgefield, S.C., and has local chapters in every state
and Canada. According to many state and federal
agencies, the restoration of the wild turkey is arguably
the greatest conservation success story in North
America’s wildlife history.
Table of Contents
History | Membership
1
Wild Turkey Center and
2 NWTF
Museum | Turkey Television | NWTF
3
Web site and E-mail Newsletter | NWTF
Publications and Videos
Hunting Heritage Super Fund
Conservation Programs
Education and Outreach Programs
Hunting Heritage | NWTF Five-Star
Program
Turkey Hunting — Safer Than Ever |
NWTF National Convention and Sport
Show | Turkey Shoot | The NWTF World
Wild Turkey Still Target Competition
NWTF Canada
In 1984, the NWTF began working with the Ontario Ministry of
Natural Resources and the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters
to help restore wild turkey populations in the province. Since 1998,
NWTF Canada’s members have worked to fulfill its mission by releasing
wild turkeys, hosting fundraising banquets and outreach events, and
starting local chapters throughout Canada.
NWTF Mexico
NWTF Mexico helps restore wild turkeys throughout Mexico and
conducts research necessary for continued success and expansion of
wild turkey populations there. NWTF works cooperatively with Texas
Tech University and SEMARNAT (Secretary of Natural Resources)
and others to learn more about Ocellated turkeys in the state of
Campeche and help ensure their long-term success. NWTF follows the
progress of turkeys transferred in 2008 from Aguascalientes to Hidalgo
State. Since those turkey population numbers have increased, NWTF expects turkey populations in
those areas to sustain hunting by 2012.
Membership
With 2,272 chapters, the NWTF provides a place for people from all walks of life to get involved in
conservation. Today, the NWTF has members in 50 states, Canada, Mexico and 14 other countries.
People with a passion for wildlife and the outdoors can join the NWTF by choosing from several
categories including:
• NWTF Annual membership
• NWTF Sponsor membership
• JAKES/Xtreme JAKES membership
• JAKES (Juniors Acquiring Knowledge, Ethics and Sportsmanship) educates and involves youth
under age 12 in wildlife conservation and the wise stewardship of our natural resources. Xtreme
JAKES is for teens ages 13 to 17.
• Women in the Outdoors membership
• The Women in the Outdoors program helps women enjoy the outdoors and learn the importance of
wildlife management and the role hunters play in conservation.
• Wheelin’ Sportsmen NWTF membership
• W heelin’ Sportsmen NWTF provides people with disabilities opportunities to enjoy hunting,
fishing, target shooting and more through events held across North America.
5
7
8
To become an NWTF member, learn more about NWTF banquets, or start a banquet in your
area, call or go online. P.O. Box 530 • 770 Augusta Road • Edgefield, S.C. 29824
• (803) 637-3106 • www.nwtf.org
WWW.NWTF.ORG
|
1
|
LAST UPDATED ON 5/31/2011
3640511
nwtf AT-A-GLANCE
38 Years of Wild Turkey Conservation
Wild Turkey Numbers Wild Turkey Hunter Numbers 1973 1.3 million 1 million 2011
More than 7 million
Nearly 3 million
Turkey Television
Seen on Pursuit Channel:
The NWTF’s Wild Turkey Center and Winchester Museum
The Wild Turkey Center, located in Edgefield, S.C., is the NWTF’s national headquarters. It is a firstclass work place for 255 staff positions that provide services to NWTF members. The NWTF’s field
operations staff of 77 regional directors and 34 conservation field staff have offices located throughout
the United States and Canada, and work closely with the chapters in their region.
Get in the Game
• Secrets for attracting wildlife to your property
The NWTF campus includes:
• the 60,000 square foot Wild Turkey Center, which houses the NWTF Winchester Museum,
• a 3,000 square foot conference center sponsored by Federal Cartridge Company,
• the Outdoor Education Center
• and an additional 65,000 square feet of warehouse space.
The Legacy Sculpture, a larger-than-life bronze statue depicting
the past and future of our hunting heritage, stands tall in front of the
Wild Turkey Center, along with a sculpted bronze turkey. Sculptor
Cody Houston created these amazing works of art.
The NWTF’s state-of-the-art Winchester Museum celebrates the
comeback of the wild turkey and the role hunter/conservationists
played in this great wildlife success story. Highlights include the
world’s largest box call, wild turkeys in folk art, turkey oddities and a
simulated prescribed fire helicopter exhibit.
The 125-acre Outdoor Education Center includes a series of
nature trails, management demonstrations, a wetland habitat
site and pavilion. The area provides the perfect setting for
JAKES/Xtreme JAKES, Women in the Outdoors and Wheelin’
Sportsmen NWTF events, as well as school field trips and other
educational opportunities.
NWTF COMMUNICATION
TOOLS
NWTF Web site
The NWTF’s dynamic website, NWTF.org,
provides resources for NWTF members, hunters and
land managers. It features the latest NWTF news,
turkey hunting and calling tips; banquet, calling
contest and shooting event information; audio clips
of turkey sounds and information about wild turkeys.
The site also hosts:
• a message board
• a searchable database of the NWTF’s wild turkey
records
• conservation and land management tips
• the websites of the NWTF’s three outreach
programs: Wheelin’ Sportsmen NWTF, Women
in the Outdoors and JAKES/Xtreme JAKES
Social Networking
Network with hunters and outdoor enthusiasts,
and stay current with NWTF news, contests,
giveaways, announcements and more through the
NWTF’s official pages on Facebook at http://www.
facebook.com/theNWTF.
Hours Open
The Wild Turkey Center and
Winchester Museum are open
Monday through Friday, 8:30
a.m. until 5 p.m. and closed on
national holidays. Admission is
free for NWTF members. The
admission price for non-members is $5 for adults and $2
for children ages 17 and under.
Guided and weekend group
tours are available by appointment and may be scheduled by
calling (803) 637-3106.
NWTF Newsletter
Each edition of the NWTF Newsletter features
important news, chances to win prizes, outdoor
news, interactive videos and surveys, highlights
from the NWTF’s official page on Facebook,
hunting gear reviews and more.
OutdoorDealHound.com
OutdoorDealHound.com, the first online
retail site to offer discounted bundled pricing
outside the travel industry, offers shoppers
discounts on more than 1,200 products
from well-known outdoor companies. Visit
OutdoorDealHound.com to help wildlife and
save money today.
Turkey Television
Featured on Pursuit Channel. Check local
listings for show times.
• “Get in the Game” offers tips for attracting
wildlife to your property.
• “ Turkey Call” shows turkey hunting
adventures from coast to coast.
WWW.NWTF.ORG
|
2
|
Turkey Call
• Turkey hunting excitement from coast to coast
NWTF Publications and Videos
Call (800) THE-NWTF for ordering information
or to learn more about the NWTF’s membership
publications.
• Turkey Country magazine is for outdoor
enthusiasts and all NWTF members. Turkey
Country is divided in into six sections:
Conservation, Special Issues, The Caller,
Outreach and Education, On the Hunt and
Get in the Game. This full-color publication
includes stories about the NWTF’s Wheelin’
Sportsmen NWTF, Women in the Outdoors
and JAKES outreach programs, conservation
issues, turkey calling and hunting, education
programs, member profiles and much more.
• JAKES members across North America receive
JAKES Magazine, which features fun and
educational articles focused on items of interest
to young readers.
• The JAKES Activity Book contains many fun,
learning activities such as crossword puzzles,
board games, word find, coloring and much
more to help youth learn about conservation
and wild turkeys.
LAST UPDATED ON 5/31/2011
3640511
nwtf AT-A-GLANCE
• “The Wild Turkey: Biology and Management”
is an award-winning book that details current
knowledge about wild turkeys.
• N WTF Wildlife Bulletins, available at NWTF.
org, offer specific information and advice for
wild turkey managers.
• “The Get in the Game Manual” is full of
up-to-date information for all landowners
on everything from timber management to
planting and managing wildlife openings.
• Turkey Hunting Success & Safety, a two-disk
CD-ROM and DVD set, contains everything
hunting instructors need – including
videos, lessons, articles, tips and PowerPoint
presentations – to teach wild turkey hunters
how to hunt safely and successfully.
• “NWTF Outreach Event Manual,” available at
NWTF.org, gives detailed information about
organizing and hosting NWTF outreach
events. The manual contains tips on choosing
event activities, getting volunteers involved and
finding support for NWTF outreach events.
• 100 Acre Project is a two-disc DVD series
specifically designed to help landowners get
the most out of their property. Watch NWTF
researchers, foresters and wildlife biologists
turn a 14-year pine stand into a manageable,
hunt-able and profitable piece of property.
Hunting Heritage Super Fund
The Hunting Heritage Super Fund supports the NWTF’s conservation and education programs. Established in 1983, the program pools money raised at
Hunting Heritage banquets, donated by corporate sponsors and given to benefit wildlife conservation.
• Since 1985, the NWTF and its cooperators have spent more than $331 million preserving our hunting heritage and conserving nearly 16 million acres of
wildlife habitat.
• State Hunting Heritage Super Fund projects include habitat management, outdoor education for women, youth and people with disabilities, hunter safety,
wild turkey restoration, land acquisition, enforcement, research and equipment.
• State projects are jointly administered by the NWTF, its state chapters and their respective wildlife agencies, assuring funding for projects most likely to
enhance the state’s long-range natural resource management plans and to promote hunting heritage for the future.
• National Hunting Heritage Super Fund projects include grants to support university and wildlife agency research projects, regional habitat programs and
funds for publications that can be used by government and corporate biologists as management reference tools.
Conserve. Hunt. Share.
Conservation Programs
The NWTF supports scientific wildlife
management on public, private and corporate
lands. NWTF founders established a technical
committee consisting of wild turkey biologists
from state wildlife agencies, which makes
recommendations on research, management,
restoration and educational programs.
Nearly 75 members from 50 states are
represented on the committee.
North American
Wild Turkey
Management Plan
The North American
Wild Turkey Management
Plan has helped establish
wild turkey populations on
approximately 2 million
acres in North America.
The plan will identify
key habitat projects and important areas for wild
turkeys on a state-by-state and regional basis. The
plan has received local, national and international
support from state wildlife agencies, USDA Forest
Service, Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies
and the Trilateral Committee for Wildlife and
Ecosystem Management.
framework for cooperative wildlife management,
research and educational activities between the
NWTF and its 119 government and corporate
partners. These partnerships improve millions
of acres of wildlife habitat on private, corporate
and public land.
Making Tracks
This cooperative program between the NWTF
and state, federal and provincial wildlife agencies
restores wild turkeys to all suitable habitats in
North America. The NWTF works with wildlife
agencies, coordinating the trap and transfer of
wild turkeys. Wild turkey populations have more
than doubled since 1990.
• In areas where they are abundant, wild turkeys
usually are trapped via nets propelled or
dropped over a feeding flock. Trapped birds
are individually placed in specialized transport
boxes, and then released in areas of suitable
habitat with few or no wild turkeys.
• Since the 1950s, state and provincial wildlife
agencies have moved 200,000 wild turkeys
into suitable habitat across North America.
•
Wild Turkey Partnership Agreements
Wild Turkey Partnership Agreements provide a
WWW.NWTF.ORG
|
3
|
The NWTF has helped accelerate those efforts
through the purchase of trapping equipment,
transfer boxes, funding and the help of its
volunteers. Currently, there are more than 7
million wild turkeys throughout the United
States, Canada and Mexico.
• The NWTF worked with state wildlife agencies
to help coordinate the relocation of 1,958 birds
throughout North America during the 2010
trap and transfer season. NWTF Hunting
Heritage Super Fund dollars and corporate
partners supported this project.
Hunting Heritage Super Fund projects include
establishing walk-in hunting areas, planting
wildlife openings, developing water resources,
conducting prescribed burns, co-hosting
outdoor learning events for women, youth and
people with disabilities through the NWTF’s
chapters across the country, and supporting
the reintroduction of the Gould’s wild turkey
in Arizona.
The NWTF has partnered with the USDA
Forest Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, Bureau of Land Management and the
Department of Defense to conduct Hunting
Heritage Super Fund Projects. The NWTF is
one of the only conservation organizations with
employee liaisons from the Natural Resources
Conservation Service, Farm Service Agency and
USDA Forest Service on staff.
LAST UPDATED ON 5/31/2011
3640511
nwtf AT-A-GLANCE
Go for the Gould’s
Since 2003, the Arizona Game and Fish
Department and the NWTF have transferred
more than 400 Gould’s wild turkeys from Mexico
and Arizona to the Chiricahua, Huachuca and
Pinaleno mountains of southern Arizona, an
area where the Gould’s once thrived but was
extirpated, mainly due to unregulated hunting.
Since 2002, more than $90,000 has been raised for
the restoration through Gould’s hunting permit
auctions. Future efforts will focus on improving
and protecting critical wild turkey habitat.
Go for the Gould’s U.S. project
partners include:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
NWTF-Arizona State Chapter
El Coronado Ranch
USDA Forest Service
Coronado National Forest
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
USDA-Animal Plant Health Inspection Service
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
Project partners in Mexico include:
• S EMARNAT (Secretary of Natural Resources)
• A MAVISI (Association of Wildlife Managers)
• ENDESU (Natural Spaces and Sustainable
Development)
• ASOCIES (Senoran Outfitters Association)
• Wingshooters Lodge
• Monte Escobedo Ranch
• Rancho Antrialgo
Research
Since 1977, the NWTF has provided more than
$4.6 million in national project research grants to
many state agencies and universities. Past projects
have addressed many areas of turkey research
including population dynamics, habitat suitability,
disease, predation, nesting success and more.
National Wild Turkey Symposia
Held every five years, the National Wild
Turkey Symposium plays an integral role in wild
turkey research and management. The NWTF
helps coordinate the symposia program and
provides financial support. A book of the proceedings from the latest symposium is a must-read
for well-informed turkey hunters and conservationists, with details of the most recent research
and advances in wild turkey management. Visit
OutdoorDealHound.com for more information.
recent research and advances in wild turkey management. Visit the Turkey Shoppe at www.nwtf.org
for more information.
Project HELP
Project HELP (Habitat Enhancement Land Program) helps
landowners manage and enhance their land by providing habitat
enhancement services and offering seeds and seedlings at
competitive prices.
• Products available include seed mixes developed specifically for
upland gamebirds, waterfowl, deer and turkeys. Tree seedlings,
including wildlife shrubs and specialty fruit and nut trees, plus
establishment and protective products are also available.
• Habitat enhancement services offered include on-site consultations, plus the use of habitat
management contractors.
• Since 1992, Project HELP sales have totaled more than 3.5 million pounds of seed and 2.9 million
seedlings.
• The Project HELP catalog is available online at www.OutdoorDealHound.com.
Conservation Seed Program
The Conservation Seed Program is an NWTF program that provides surplus seed, primarily
corn, soybeans, wheat and grain sorghum to NWTF chapters for
wildlife habitat plantings. NWTF chapters receive the seed in half−
tractor trailer loads and then distribute the seed to local NWTF
members. The seed is available through NWTF chapters for the cost
of shipping and handling.
Since 1997, NWTF members have received more than 7 million
pounds of seed for wildlife through this program.
Regional Habitat Programs
The NWTF’s regional habitat programs
provide seedlings and other habitat improvement
products to NWTF chapters and private
landowners across North America. The regional
habitat programs have improved more than 7.3
million acres for wildlife.
• Operation Appleseed (Northeast)
• Operation Oak (Southeast)
• Operation Heartland (Midwest)
• Operation SOS (Canada)
• Operation SOS (Upper Midwest)
• Operation Big Sky (Great Plains)
• Guzzlers for Gobblers (West)
• Southern Great Plains Riparian Initiative
• Northern Plains Riparian Restoration Initiative
Since 1997, more than 2.3 million seedlings
have been planted through the regional habitat
programs, more than 900 water development
projects have been completed and 4,000 acres of
standing grain have been left to assist landowners
with wintering large populations of wild turkeys.
Through the Guzzlers program alone, the NWTF
and its partners have put more than $4 million
toward habitat improvement projects in the West.
Northern Plains Riparian
Restoration Initiative
Wildlife habitat along flowing waterways is
dwindling in western South Dakota and North
Dakota, and eastern Montana and Wyoming. The
WWW.NWTF.ORG
|
4
|
Northern Plains Riparian
Restoration Initiative is
the NWTF’s program
to improve habitat along
rivers and streams, and
around roost areas to
benefit numerous species
of wildlife, including wild turkeys. The project also
educates landowners on how they can improve
their properties for wildlife.
Southern Great Plains
Riparian Initiative
The Southern Great Plains Riparian Initiative
is one of the largest habitat improvement efforts
ever initiated by the NWTF. This partnership
improves wildlife habitat on thousands of miles
of rivers and streams in six states including
Colorado, Kansas,
Nebraska, New Mexico,
Oklahoma and Texas.
More than 30 million
acres could be improved
through this project.
To date, more than $1.5
million has been spent to improve wildlife habitat
on 23,665 acres through the Southern Great
Plains Riparian Initiative.
Seed Subsidy Program
Through the Seed Subsidy Program, NWTF
state chapters help members purchase seed to
LAST UPDATED ON 5/31/2011
3640511
nwtf AT-A-GLANCE
benefit wildlife through private lands wildlife
management. Since 2002, NWTF members
have purchased more than 1.9 million pounds of
seed through the program. In participating states,
NWTF members may purchase selected seed
and related products at a reduced cost, which is
subsidized through the Hunting Heritage Super
Fund of the respective state. Chufa is the most
subsidized product available through the program.
Energy for Wildlife
Energy for Wildlife is a conservation
program for energy companies with 36
corporate members, five sponsors and more
than 3 million acres of property enrolled.
This program works
to improve wildlife
habitat on rights of
way and other energy
company property
through changes in
vegetation management.
Another program goal is to help promote
these properties as quality wildlife habitat
for the public, rights of way landowners and
company customers. Energy for Wildlife is
a membership-based certification program
open to any energy company with rights of way
and/or other company property that can be
managed.
Wild Turkey Country
Through Wild Turkey Country, NWTF’s
conservation easement program, the NWTF
protects key wildlife habitat through conservation
easements with willing private landowners.
Partner landowners agree to limit the subdivision
and development of their property and to manage
their property to benefit wildlife in return for
tax incentives provided by state and federal
government. The NWTF holds conservation
easements covering nearly 15,400 acres on 24
properties in nine states.
More Places to Hunt
More Places to Hunt provides hunting
opportunities on public and private property. To
date, the NWTF has spent more than $10.5 million
and obtained more than 452,000 acres of land for
hunting. This program builds upon NWTF chapters’
success, and allows the NWTF to coordinate with
partners to accomplish even more.
Widespread urban
sprawl, changes in land
ownership and tightened
state agency and federal
budgets have left hunters
with far less private and
public access to quality wildlife areas. Studies by
the National Shooting Sports Foundation indicate
that one of the top reasons people give up hunting
is that they can’t find places to hunt. As hunter
numbers decline, state agencies lose revenue used
to support habitat and places to hunt.
To reverse this trend, the NWTF is assisting
partner agencies with land acquisitions, funding
walk-in hunting area programs, holding
landowner appreciation days and getting involved
in legislative issues that maintain public access
or provide funding for access related programs.
NWTF’s state and local chapter volunteers are at
the core of this access program.
Education, Outreach and Community Programs
JAKES/Xtreme JAKES
The NWTF’s JAKES (Juniors Acquiring
Knowledge, Ethics and Sportsmanship) program
was developed in 1981, and is dedicated to
teaching the principles of wildlife management
and safe, ethical and responsible hunting. The
program is designed for youth up to age 12.
The NWTF’s Xtreme JAKES program was
developed in 2002 for teens between the ages of 13
and 17. The program provides advanced outdoor
opportunities and challenges more in line with
older JAKES abilities and experiences.
• In 2010, local chapters conducted nearly 1,000
JAKES/Xtreme JAKES events throughout
North America featuring hands-on activities.
• Each JAKES/Xtreme JAKES member is
eligible for a drawing to win a hunt of a lifetime.
• JAKES members across North America receive
JAKES Magazine, which features fun and
educational articles focused on items of interest
to young readers.
• JAKES Take Aim program presents
opportunities for youth ages 17 and under to
try target shooting and sporting clay shooting
with air guns and shotguns in a safe, fun
environment. JAKES Take Aim shooting
trailers − stocked by Daisy Outdoor Products
with airguns, pellets, targets and other
equipment to set up safe airgun ranges at any
youth event − debuted in seven states with 20
additional trailers available by the end of 2011.
Trailers are available for use through state
agencies and NWTF state chapters.
• For more information about the JAKES/
Xtreme JAKES program or to find a local event,
visit nwtf.org/jakes.
Wheelin’ Sportsmen NWTF
Wheelin’ Sportsmen NWTF provides all
people with disabilities opportunities to enjoy the
outdoors. Through chapter events nationwide,
participants can enjoy activites such as hunting,
fishing and shooting. With more than 50 million
people with disabilities in the U.S., the program
fills a significant void. Through this program,
chapters host numerous Wheelin’ Sportsmen
NWTF events across North America involving
individuals with disabilities. In addition to local
chapter events, Wheelin’ Sportsmen NWTF also
hosts an assortment of national events:
• Does for Does pairs women with disabilities
and women who are experienced guides for a
weekend of hunting and educational activities.
• Ultimate Team-Ups team people with
nwtf.org/jakes
WWW.NWTF.ORG
|
5
|
LAST UPDATED ON 5/31/2011
3640511
nwtf AT-A-GLANCE
disabilities and non-disabled people for a
weekend of hunting and educational activities.
• Ultimate Duos provide youth with disabilities
and their families a chance to experience a
variety of outdoor activities.
• Fishing Round-Ups provide participants
with disabilities opportunities to enjoy a day
of fishing.
• Fun & Learn Days introduce people with
disabilities to a variety of outdoor activities in
fun and easy ways.
• Special Events provide opportunities for groups
of disabled and non-disabled participants
to enjoy deep sea fishing, shooting, archery,
photography, hunting and more.
• W heelin’ Sportsmen NWTF members receive
six issues of Turkey Country magazine.
• For more information about the Wheelin’
Sportsmen NWTF program or to find an event
listing, visit www.wheelinsportsmen.org
wheelinsportsmen.org
NWTF Academic Scholarship
Program
Each year, the NWTF presents a $10,000
national scholarship to a college-bound student
as well as several $1,000 state/provincial
academic scholarships and $250 local
scholarships.
• Scholarships are awarded to young people
who have demonstrated a commitment
to conservation, academic excellence and
building leadership skills. Applicants must be
licensed hunters to be eligible.
• To date, the NWTF has awarded nearly $3.3
million through the scholarship program.
The program is just one way the NWTF helps
ensure there are dedicated conservationists
for the future.
• Each year, nearly $500,000 is available in
scholarships to JAKES/Xtreme JAKES
members.
Education Programs
Women in the Outdoors
Women in the Outdoors provides hands-on
outdoor education for women. Outdoor learning
events, which allow women to try activities
ranging from hunting to hiking, are conducted
throughout the United States and Canada.
• Each event participant becomes a member of
the NWTF’s women’s program. As part of their
annual membership, women receive six issues
of Turkey Country magazine yearly.
• N WTF chapters have hosted nearly 4,000
events for 80,000 women throughout North
America and Canada.
• Women in the Outdoors teaches the
importance of wildlife management and
preserving our hunting heritage and increases
participation in outdoor activities.
• For more information about Women in the
Outdoors or to find a local event, visit www.
womenintheoutdoors.org.
womenintheoutdoors.org
• Th
e NWTF’s Winchester Museum offers
tours and a variety of conservation education
programs correlated to South Carolina’s and
Georgia’s curriculum standards for more than
10,000 visitors each year.
• N WTF Wild About Turkey Education
Boxes − NWTF chapters and sponsors have
donated more than 31,000 education boxes
to schools across North America at no charge
to the schools. NWTF education boxes are
correlated to national education standards
and feature a curriculum, activity guide
and a variety of teaching tools suitable for
kindergarten through 12th grade.
education programs for students from
4th through 12th grades as part of school
curriculums across the country. To date, the
NWTF has provided more than $940,000 in
support of NASP.
• Boy Scouts of America (BSA) − The NWTF
has partnered with BSA through the JAKES
program to provide more opportunities
for youth to experience and learn about
conservation, the shooting sports and the
preservation of our hunting heritage.
Turkey Hunters Care Program
NWTF chapters across the country provide
frozen, domestic turkeys around the holidays
to local families in need in their communities
through the Turkey Hunters Care Program.
• Local NWTF chapter volunteers team
up with church ministries, food pantries,
children’s organizations, homeless shelters,
National Guard units and other civic service
organizations to donate turkeys for holiday
meals.
• In 2010, 367 local NWTF chapters in the
U.S. and Canada donated 19,000 turkeys or
more than 114,000 meals to families in need
of a hot holiday feast. Since the program’s
inception, a total of 132,163 turkeys, or
792,978 meals, have been donated.
• The NWTF makes certificates available online that can be presented to the individual
family or organization that receives the
turkeys. In addition, NWTF chapters
can order specially made Turkey Hunters
Care plastic bags, at no cost, which will be
distributed with the turkeys.
Education Partnership Programs
In addition to the academic scholarship
program, the NWTF supports education
through:
• National Future Farmers of America
Organization (FFA) – Many NWTF
chapters participate in and support FFA
events and programs. To date, the NWTF has
contributed more than $146,000 to FFA.
• 4 -H Shooting Sports Program – To date,
the NWTF has contributed more than 2.2
million to the 4-H Shooting Sports Program
to ensure youth can learn about shooting
sports in a safe atmosphere than fosters
development.
• National Archery in the Schools Program
(NASP) – This joint venture with state
departments of education and fish and
wildlife agencies is designed to offer
international-style target archery in physical
WWW.NWTF.ORG
|
6
|
LAST UPDATED ON 5/31/2011
3640511
nwtf AT-A-GLANCE
Families Afield
The NWTF has led the charge in promoting
youth hunting opportunities. Through Families
Afield, a partnership of the NWTF, the National
Shooting Sports Foundation and the U.S.
Sportsmen’s Alliance, data from the Youth
Hunting Report is used to help remove youth
hunting barriers across the nation. The Youth
Hunting Report also shows youth hunters are
among the safest hunters in the woods when
accompanied by an adult.
To date, Families Afield has helped bring
positive change to 30 states, resulting in more than
418,000 new hunters. Together with the National
Hunting Heritage
Programs to Preserve Hunting
Heritage
NWTF has a long history of supporting
and developing hunter education and safety
programs. The 1992 NWTF Strategic Planning
Team identified the anti-hunting and animalrights movements as serious threats to the
NWTF’s mission and to wildlife conservation.
In response to that finding, the organization
amended its mission statement to include “...the
preservation of our hunting heritage.”
The NWTF Hunting Heritage Super Fund
supports shooting and hunting organizations
directly involved in preserving traditional
Rifle Association and state and local sportsmen’s
organizations, Families Afield will continue to
fight for youth hunting rights.
In 2010:
• I llinois expanded its apprentice program to
allow new hunters to qualify for an apprentice
license.
• Louisiana expanded its apprentice program to
allow new hunters to defer hunter education
if they hunt under the direct supervision of an
experienced, qualified mentor. The expansion
also removes the limit on the number of times a
person can hunt under the exemption.
• Vermont became the 30th state to pass a
Families Afield bill. The new law creates an
apprentice hunting license that allows a new
hunter to hunt with an experienced mentor
for up to two years before completing a hunter
education course.
To learn more about the Families Afield
program or to view a list of participating states,
visit http://www.familiesafield.org or www.nwtf.
org.
wildlife management of public land and protecting
our hunting heritage.
The NWTF and its state and local chapters
support organizations and efforts that preserve
our hunting heritage through donations
including:
• $2.2 million contributed to the 4-H Shooting
Sports Foundation
• $1.5 million presented to the U.S. Sportsmen’s
Alliance
• $1.1 million to the National Shooting Sports
Foundation
• $940,000 to the National Archery in the
Schools Program (NASP)
• $180,000 to the U.S. Olympic Shooting Team
• $ 146,000 to the National Future Farmers of
America Foundation (FFA)
The National Assembly of Sportsmen’s
Caucuses unites state legislators who support
hunting, fishing and scientific management
of natural resources, while the Congressional
Sportsmen’s Foundation works for wildlife on
the national level. The NWTF has donated
$613,000 to protect hunters’ interests at both
the state and national level. Through strategic
support of organizations that further the
shooting sports and hunting, the NWTF
ensures our hunting heritage is preserved for
future generations.
NWTF Five-Star Program
The Five-Star Program recognizes state and local chapters that support volunteers and their communities, involve families in wildlife conservation,
protect our hunting heritage, develop relationships between state and local chapters and build a positive future.
A state chapter that receives the five-star designation has:
• helped a local chapter host at least one Women in the Outdoors, Wheelin’ Sportsmen NWTF or JAKES/Xtreme JAKES outreach event
• provided at least one NWTF Wild About Turkey Education Box for presentation to a local school
• f unding a local chapter’s NWTF scholarship awarded to a graduating senior who supports our country’s hunting heritage and exhibits an excellent
conservation ethic
• offered a state scholarship to a winner selected from local chapter winners and submitted the state winner to compete for a national scholarship
• supported local chapter efforts to participate in community-based outreach activities such as Turkey Hunters Care, 4-H, National Archery in the Schools
Program, FFA, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and other community-based outreach program and/or a conservation project.
A local chapter that receives the five-star designation has:
• hosted one hunting heritage banquet with a net revenue of at least $1,000
• hosted at least one Women in the Outdoors, Wheelin’ Sportsmen NWTF or JAKES/Xtreme JAKES outreach event
• delivered an NWTF Wild About Turkey Education Box to a local school
• presented a scholarship to a graduating senior who supports our country’s hunting heritage and exhibits an excellent
conservation ethic
• participated in Turkey Hunters Care, 4-H, National Archery in the Schools, FFA, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts or other
community-based outreach or conservation project.
WWW.NWTF.ORG
|
7
|
LAST UPDATED ON 5/31/2011
3640511
nwtf AT-A-GLANCE
Turkey Hunting — Safer
Than Ever
The NWTF National Turkey Hunting
Safety Task Force is composed of hunter safety
coordinators and instructors, wildlife biologists,
educators, legal experts, conservation officers, state
agency administrators and representatives from the
International Hunter Education Association, the
NWTF and outdoor products industry.
The task force first met in 1991 to develop a plan
to complement the hunter safety efforts of state
wildlife agencies, NWTF chapters, the National
Rifle Association and the National Shooting Sports
Foundation. Though the task force is unable to
gauge how much influence their actions have had
in reducing turkey hunting incidents, numbers
from their 1997 meeting, held at the NWTF’s
Wild Turkey Center, indicate they are successfully
reaching hunters with safety awareness. While
turkey hunting is one of the safest hunting activities,
and in fact one of the safest outdoor activities, this
group met again in January 2005 to discuss how to
make turkey hunting even safer.
The National Turkey Hunting Safety Task
Force developed a Turkey Hunting Success &
Safety Curriculum.
The number of spring turkey hunting incidents
resulting in emergency room visits has decreased
since the formation of the task force from
approximately 8.1 per 100,000 participants in
1992 to 2.95 per 100,000 participants in 2000.
This decrease is phenomenal considering that the
number of spring turkey hunters has increased
by 60 percent during the same time period. The
NWTF has distributed more than one million
pieces of hunting safety literature developed
through the NWTF National Turkey Hunting
Safety Task Force.
Turkey Hunting Success and Safety Curriculum
To further educate hunters about becoming even safer while turkey hunting and increasing their success in the field, the NWTF National Turkey
Hunting Safety Task Force created a turkey hunting safety curriculum. The Turkey Hunting Success and Safety Curriculum is available to hunting safety
instructors, JAKES educators and more. This state-of-the-art curriculum is available on CD and DVD. Educational tools include videos, PowerPoint
presentations and lessons that teach students about turkey hunting and safety in fun and engaging ways.
The Turkey Hunting Incident Report Form, developed by the NWTF and the International Hunter Education Association, has enabled more detailed
record keeping of turkey hunting incidents. State-to-state comparisons of incident rates have helped safety experts determine the safest hunting practices.
The NWTF also funded the creation of templates to standardize and improve accuracy of reporting incidents.
NWTF National Convention
and Sport Show
The NWTF’s National Convention and Sport
Show combines all the elements of the NWTF into
one fun-filled weekend with plenty of entertainment
for the entire family. The convention brings together
the latest turkey hunting gear and strategies, the thrill
of calling championships and a celebration of wild
turkey conservation volunteers and professionals.
Other convention highlights include wild turkey
hunting seminars, wild turkey and white-tailed deer
taxidermy contests and custom call making contests.
• Nearly 44,000 people visited 675 exhibit
booths, seminars and other events at the 2011
NWTF convention in Nashville, Tenn.
• Since 1990, the NWTF has brought more than
14,000 inner-city youth to conventions for a
conservation education program.
The Turkey Shoot
One of the top sporting clays events in the country, the Turkey Shoot
offers sporting clays competition for men, women and youth in divisions
ranging from NSCA Masters to Hunter divisions. Other shooting
competitions include preliminary events, a sub-gauge event and the fivestand competition.
• The 18 th annual Turkey Shoot will be held Aug. 19-21, 2011.
The NWTF World Wild Turkey Still
Target Competition
The NWTF World Wild Turkey Still Target Competition takes
place at the NWTF headquarters in Edgefield, S.C. During the sixdivision competition, participants try to make their shotgun shoot the
perfect pattern at stationary targets.
The NWTF World Wild Turkey Still Target Competition will take place Oct. 7-8, 2011.
NWTF’s Convention & Sport Show
Calendar
2012............ Nashville, Tenn............... Feb. 9-12
2013............ Nashville, Tenn............... Feb. 14-17
2014............ Nashville, Tenn............... Feb. 13-16
Wild Turkey Center
770 Augusta Road
Post Office Box 530
Edgefield, South Carolina 29824
Phone: (803)637-3106
nwtf.org
WWW.NWTF.ORG
|
8
|
LAST UPDATED ON 5/31/2011
3640511
nwtf AT-A-GLANCE