South Carolina Resident Sam Crouch Earns Major NWTF Award

02/25/2008

Sam Crouch, Sr. and Sam Crouch, Jr. Click image for print quality version

ATLANTA — Sam Crouch, Sr. of Edgefield, S.C., was honored with the C.B. McCleod Award during the National Wild Turkey Federation's National Convention and Sport Show in Atlanta, Ga., Feb. 22 to Feb. 24.

Crouch, a NWTF Life Member, has a long history with the Federation.

"Sam is a lifelong conservationist who fostered the volunteer spirit locally," said Rob Keck, NWTF CEO. "He set the tone for chapters across the country."

In 1974, Crouch became the first President of the S.C. State Chapter. He was instrumental in organizing the Edgefield Chapter, which was the first NWTF chapter in S.C. He also played a major role in the decision to relocate the NWTF from Fredericksburg, Va. to Edgefield.

"The Edgefield community and all of our NWTF volunteers and staff owe Sam a debt of gratitude for his leadership in our formative years," commented Dr. James Earl Kennamer, NWTF's senior vice president for conservation programs.

In 1985 Crouch received the Roger Latham Service award, which is given to NWTF members who are not employed as professional wildlife managers, but have made significant contributions to wild turkey conservation.

"I'm so proud of receiving the award, but I'm more proud of what the NWTF has done for wild turkeys," Crouch said. "Supporting the restoration of the wild turkey around the world is one of the most important things we can do."

The C.B. McCleod Award is given each year to a NWTF volunteer who has dedicated his or her life to wildlife, conservation and our hunting heritage. It is given in honor of NWTF volunteer C.B. McCleod, a banker from Crestview, Fla., who was instrumental in keeping the NWTF moving forward during its formative years.