Winchester hunter tags a record size gobbler | The Peoples Defender

By Tom Cross

Jamie Nesbitt of Winchester tagged what might end up being one of the biggest gobblers harvested in the state this year. According to the National Wild Turkey Federation’s record list, Nesbitt’s gobbler would be the 34th largest turkey ever taken in Ohio. Nesbitt’s big gobbler weighed 24 pounds and had an 11-1/4 inch beard with spurs 1-3/4 and 1-1/2 inches long. Nesbitt bagged the gobbler on opening day of Ohio’s turkey season in northern Brown County.

Nesbitt knew his hunting area well having taken a gobbler from the same place last year.

“I set my blind up about 40 yards from the woods edge in a weedy field that turkeys have been visiting regularly,” said Nesbitt. “About 8:00 a.m. a group of gobblers responded to my call; there was five or six bird’s altogether. I could see one gobbler was much bigger then the others and when the bachelor group was close enough and the big tom offered a clear shot I took it. The gobbler was about 45 yards away when I shot and down it went.”  Click Link Below For Full Story!

via Winchester hunter tags a record size gobbler.

Gregg Holshouser outdoors column | Georgetown man tops in the nation at talking turkey – TheSunNews.com

By Gregg Holshouser

When it comes to turkey calling, there is no substitute for learning from the real thing and Georgetown’s Mark Prudhomme gets plenty of practice.

Prudhomme is arguably the most accomplished competitive turkey caller in the country, and never misses a chance to hear what’s going on in the woods of Georgetown and Williamsburg counties.

Not too many hunters get to spend time listening to their quarry at their real jobs, but Prudhomme does.

Prudhomme is wildlife manager at a plantation in Georgetown County, which affords him the luxury of spending time in the woods, keenly listening to wildlife, particularly wildlife related to the wild turkey.

In mid-February, Prudhomme took home championships in three divisions at the Grand National Turkey Calling Championships during the National Wild Turkey Federation’s National Convention and Sport Show, in Nashville, Tenn.

Prudhomme won the Grand National Champion of Champions, a competition open only to previous Grand National champions, the two-man team championship with partner Kerry Terrel of Brooklet, Ga., and the owl hooting championship.  Click Link Below For Full Story!

via Gregg Holshouser outdoors column | Georgetown man tops in the nation at talking turkey – Sports – TheSunNews.com.

Record-setting turkey to be displayed at Plant City wildlife banquet- Tampa Tribune

DAVE NICHOLSON | The Tampa Tribune

PLANT CITY – Jared Howe knew he’d bagged a big one when he shot a wild turkey last year in southwest Georgia.

But after some phone calls, he learned that the 21-pound bird was one for the record books.

Howe, a firefighter who lives in Dover, bagged a turkey that ranked sixth in Georgia history and 66th in the world under a scoring system set up by the National Wild Turkey Federation. The two-inch hook on the bird was the fourth-largest ever recorded worldwide.

Howe, 22, had his record-setting turkey mounted by a taxidermist. On Friday, he’ll show it off at a banquet sponsored by a chapter of the wild turkey federation.

Howe said he’s killed nine turkeys in his life, all but one in either Georgia or Alabama. The turkey he bagged with his 12 gauge Remington shotgun in Clay County, Ga. was by far his biggest.

This will be the first time that Howe has displayed the turkey in a public setting. The 11th annual wildlife banquet sponsored by the East Hillsboro Limbhangers is at 6 p.m. at the John R. Trinkle Community Center on Hillsborough Community College’s Plant City campus, 1206 N. Park Road.

Chapter President Ron Gainey describes the banquet as a family oriented event featuring fellowship and a good meal. Tickets start at $60 and the chapter is also seeking sponsors. He’s hoping Howe’s turkey will generate more interest in the chapter’s annual event.

Last year’s banquet generated $24,644 for the national federation, an organization dedicated to conservation of the American wild turkey habitat and support for the sport of turkey hunting.

For information or tickets, call Gainey at (813) 752-4155; Carney Walden at Southside Farm Supply, (813) 752-2379; Russell or Gus Bailey at Bailey’s Outdoor Products, (813) 764-9798; or Jonathan Swindle at Arrowhead Archery, (813) 621-4279.

For those turkey-hunting enthusiasts out there, here’s some of the more technical information about Howe’s bird and his spring hunt: He killed the turkey in mid-morning March 23, 2009 after it “came gobbling’ toward his mouth-operated call in land near the Alabama line owned by friends. He dispatched it at a distance of about 15 yards.

It had nine beards that measured a combined total of 43 inches, the longest of which was 9 inches.

Howe said his turkey hunting friends have been “pretty impressed.”

via Record-setting turkey to be displayed at Plant City wildlife banquet.

NWTF Efforts Featured in April Issue of Outdoor Life

EDGEFIELD, S.C.— The hard work of volunteers with the National Wild Turkey Federation is highlighted in a new article about growing wild turkey populations and the increasing popularity of turkey hunting in the West.

In the April issue of Outdoor Life, Hunting Editor Andrew McKean recalls a recent trip to hunt “elk-country turkeys” in the mountains of Idaho. The hunt took place in a state that sold around 5,000 permits to hunt turkeys as recently as 1994. In 2009, the number of turkey permits sold had exploded to nearly 60,000.

In the article, McKean notes that turkey hunting is gaining popularity in a region known more for big game such as elk and mule deer.

“Much of the credit goes to the NWTF…,” wrote McKean. “What is clear is that through its fundraising dinners, the NWTF has been instrumental in growing both its membership and its investment in wildlife habitat over the last two decades.”

The number of NWTF members in the West has risen from only 2,212 in 1990, to more than 25,000 in 2009. Almost $53 million has been raised and spent by the NWTF and its state agency partners in 17 Western states. The money has been used to improve habitat for wildlife, fund wildlife research and pay for wild turkey population restoration efforts.

“This is great recognition of all the hard work that NWTF volunteers and staff have put into building turkey populations in the West,” said Brent Lawrence, NWTF public relations and Web director. “We're excited that an outstanding national publication like Outdoor Life noticed our efforts.”

Founded in 1973, the NWTF is dedicated to the conservation of the wild turkey and the preservation of our hunting heritage. Through dynamic partnerships with state, federal and provincial wildlife agencies, the NWTF and its members have helped restore wild turkey populations across the country, spending more than $306 million to conserve 14 million acres of habitat for all types of wildlife.

via Press Releases.

NWTF Unveils New Publication — Turkey Country

EDGEFIELD, S.C. — The National Wild Turkey Federation is introducing a brand-new, full-color publication — Turkey Country.

The new magazine will take the place of the Federation’s four main publications — Turkey Call, Women In The Outdoors, Get in the Game and Wheelin’ Sportsmen — beginning in September 2009.

“Turkey Country is not just a new name, it’s an entirely new magazine,” said Burt Carey, NWTF editorial director. “We’re taking the best of all the NWTF’s titles and rolling them into a brand-new, exciting book with a cutting edge look. It’s the publication of the NWTF and all its programs.”

For years the NWTF has promoted its outreach programs and Hunting Heritage Club as independent units, and members of those programs received a high-quality, member-specific publication as a benefit. The challenge with that approach, however, was that members of those outreach programs received information separate from regular Federation membership.

“Having four different magazines devoted to separate programs resulted in a fragmented communications effort where regular NWTF members were rarely aware of volunteer opportunities within the outreach programs,” Carey said. “By folding these four magazines into a single publication, we’re creating a method for focusing on our member volunteers while providing a tool that tells the Turkey Federation story in each and every issue.”

The new magazine will be divided into six sections: Conservation, Special Issues, The Caller, Outreach and Education, On the Hunt and Get in the Game. While the new book will have a brand-new look and feel, some old favorites from each magazine will remain the same including Ask Dr. Tom, Hen Tracks and Seeds of Success, as well as inspiring stories about Wheelin’ Sportsmen NWTF members. Turkey hunting legend Tom Kelly also will write a regular humor column that is sure to keep readers laughing. Plus Turkey Country will broaden its reach to the Web by featuring exclusive online content.

“The best part about this change is having the opportunity to give all our members six issues of a top-notch magazine that is packed with their current favorites and new features,” Carey said. “When readers open the new Turkey Country, they will, without a doubt, get a clear picture of the NWTF and will know how they can get involved in furthering our mission.”

Founded in 1973, the NWTF is a national nonprofit conservation and hunting organization dedicated to conserving wild turkeys and preserving hunting traditions.

via Press Releases.

Game Commission Awards NWTF With Pennsylvania’s First-Ever Elk Tag for Auction

HARRISBURG, Pa., Jan. 30 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Under a new law, Pennsylvania Game Commission Executive Director Carl G. Roe today announced that he has selected the National Wild Turkey Federation to auction off a special antlered elk license at its upcoming national convention Feb. 19-22 in Nashville, Tennessee.

“Since its creation, the National Wild Turkey Federation, as well as its Pennsylvania and local chapters, have been important wildlife conservation and management partners with the Game Commission,” Roe said. “The members of this organization have invested millions of dollars in Pennsylvania for wildlife habitat improvements, acquisitions of State Game Lands and input into wild turkey management and research. Additionally, NWTF live auctions are proven money raisers when it comes to auctioning off such hunts.”

Noting that Pennsylvania’s modern-day elk hunt, which began in 2001, has produced several Boone & Crockett book entries, George Thornton, NWTF CEO, said this tag represents an incredible opportunity to harvest a trophy elk while doing great things for wildlife conservation.

“The NWTF has had a great relationship with Game Commission throughout the years,” Thornton said. “We’ve worked together to help restore wild turkey populations, improve wildlife habitat and strengthen the state’s hunting heritage. When this tag goes up on the auction block, bidders can expect a lot of action and know that the winner is doing great things for conservation.

via Game Commission Awards NWTF With Pennsylvania’s First-Ever Elk Tag for Auction.

NWTF Founder Passes After Battle with Cancer

EDGEFIELD, S.C.

— Tom Rodgers, founder of the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF), passed away Dec. 25 at the Edgefield County Hospital after a long battle with cancer. Rodgers, 64, was survived by his mother, his son Mark and two sisters.

As the NWTF ends its 35th anniversary celebration, it also remembers the man who started it all in Fredericksburg, Va.

“Tom is the reason the Federation is here, working daily to promote wildlife conservation and preserve North America’s hunting heritage,” said James Earl Kennamer, Ph.D., the NWTF’s chief conservation officer. “The organization is reflecting on its rich history and honoring the man who started it all. He was a great friend personally, a great asset for wildlife and he’ll be greatly missed.”

Recently, Rodgers was honored with a one-of-a-kind Founder’s Award during a ceremony at NWTF headquarters in Edgefield.

“Tom’s influence on the conservation industry, on wildlife and hunters’ rights was immeasurable,” said George Thornton, NWTF CEO. “Without him, the NWTF wouldn’t exist, and wild turkeys literally would not be where they are today. Knowing the man who created the NWTF and recognizing his contributions, which helped make NWTF one of the most dynamic and respected conservation organizations in North America, is truly an honor.”

When Rodgers founded the NWTF in 1973, there were only 1.3 million wild turkeys throughout North America. Since then, the number of wild turkeys has increased to more than 7 million birds thanks to state, federal and provincial wildlife agencies, the NWTF, its members and partners. Much of the restoration was achieved through trapping and transferring wild turkeys to suitable habitat — an idea conceived by Rodgers.

Since the 1950s, state and provincial wildlife agencies have moved more than 195,000 wild turkeys to suitable habitat across North America. Throughout its 35-year history, the NWTF has helped accelerate those efforts through the purchase of trapping equipment, transfer boxes, funding and the help of its volunteers.

“Tom hired me as the Federation’s director of research in 1980,” said Kennamer. “Working alongside Tom in those early years and sharing his vision of a positive future for conservation and hunting for nearly three decades as part of the NWTF team has been a privilege.”

From Humble Beginnings

The NWTF started small. In 1969, Rodgers began his conservation career by writing a syndicated outdoor column about wild turkeys and smallmouth bass — his two favorite topics — for several Northern Virginia newspapers.

Rodgers began laying the groundwork for the Federation in 1971. He founded and named the NWTF and Turkey Call magazine, the NWTF’s flagship publication, in his hometown of Fredericksburg, Va., in 1973. Later that year, Rodgers moved the Federation’s headquarters to its permanent home in Edgefield, S.C., and co-founded the first NWTF state chapter with his friend Sam Crouch, Sr. in Edgefield soon after.

Rodgers invested $10,000 in the NWTF, becoming the conservation organization’s first donor and diamond life sponsor. Since then, the NWTF has helped raise and spend more than $279 million upholding hunting traditions and conserving nearly 14 million acres of wildlife habitat.

One effort that helped lift the organization off the ground was the creation of the NWTF Stamp and Print program, a fund raising tool that’s still being used by conservation organizations to this day. This program has raised millions of dollars for wildlife conservation.

After forming the NWTF and moving the organization to Edgefield, Rodgers served as the NWTF’s first president and executive vice president until his retirement in 1981. He also is credited with helping create the Federation’s reward program for turning in poachers and the official NWTF logo, which is still in use today.

Rodgers helped develop the International Quail Foundation in 1982 after leaving the NWTF, and served as head of the modern Quail Conservation Movement until 1986. The next year, he introduced Smallmouth Magazine and Smallmouth, Inc. He later became the first host of “The Dodge Everyday Sportsman” television show.

To a Bright Future

From starting with a cigar box full of membership applications to having nearly a half million members in the United States, Canada, Mexico and 14 other countries, the NWTF has come a long way.

Today, the NWTF continues to manage wild turkeys and other wildlife and upholds our hunting tradition. Keeping the hunting heritage alive has always been a focus of the NWTF through its JAKES/Xtreme JAKES (Juniors Acquiring Knowledge, Ethics and Sportsmanship), Wheelin’ Sportsmen and Women in the Outdoors programs, which provide hands-on outdoor opportunities for thousands of youth, women and people with disabilities.

Two NWTF programs aim to increase the number of safe and ethical hunters in the field and provide more room to roam on public and private hunting lands.

“Through its Families Afield program, the NWTF works with sportsmen, elected officials and wildlife agency personnel to lift restrictions and allow young people and first-time hunters to try hunting with an adult mentor,” Thornton said. “It is also imperative that we support the next generation of hunters by making sure they have places to hunt. The NWTF’s More Places to Hunt program partners NWTF volunteers with landowners and state and federal agencies to help improve hunter access through land purchases, conservation easements and legislative action.”

The NWTF also is implementing its North American Wild Turkey Management Plan, which will build relationships between hunters, corporate partners NWTF volunteers, and federal, state and local wildlife agencies to continue conserving wild turkey habitat and generating more opportunities and places to hunt.

“All the NWTF has accomplished — from restoring wild turkeys and their habitat to defending our privileges to hunt — began with one great man’s extraordinary vision,” Thornton said. “His legacy will continue through the NWTF’s conservation efforts, outreach programs, thousands of volunteers and members for many years to come.”

www.nwtf.org

New youth turkey hunting program approved – Berkshire Eagle Online

By Gene Chague

LENOX

The National Wild Turkey Federation and the Massachusetts Division of Fish and Wildlife are making it easier for youngsters to discover the thrill of wild turkey hunting. The Massachusetts Fisheries and Wildlife Board recently approved a statewide mentored youth turkey hunting program that is modeled after its successful youth pheasant hunting program. The program will help 12 to 17-year-old hunter education graduates sharpen their newfound skills via a fun, hands-on workshop that will teach firearms safety, hunting ethics, techniques and more.

MDFW and volunteers from the Massachusetts chapter of NWTF worked together to develop program guidelines based largely on the NWTFs Turkey Hunting Success and Safety program, which educates hunters about safer turkey hunting.

The program, which will build on lessons learned in the Massachusetts basic hunter education program, will provide specialized training in turkey hunting and safety, as well as reinforcing what they learned in hunter education.

Youngsters who successfully complete the workshop, which includes shooting practice at the target range and simulated field hunting exercises, will receive a permit to hunt wild turkey under the supervision and guidance of an experienced adult hunter serving as a mentor on a special day set aside just for youth. This years annual hunt will take place on Saturday, April 25  Click Link Below For Full Story!

via New youth turkey hunting program approved – Berkshire Eagle Online.