Turkey Hunting News

Since 1985, the National Wild Turkey Federation's Mississippi Chapter has raised and spent more than $1.8 million on conservation, hunter education, improving land access, research and many other projects within the state.

Jon Gafner would be more than happy to give away the $25,000 worth of merchandise his store sign promises if Brett Favre came back to the Packers.  The marquee sign on Gafner's Jackson Street business, Jon's Sport Shop, says, "Hey Brett, $25,000 shopping spree if you come back!"

More than 1,000 sporting clays enthusiasts will pour into Forsyth, Ga., Aug. 14 to Aug. 17, for the National Wild Turkey Federation's Turkey Shoot sporting clays tournament.

Over 600 of them will shoot in the event, held at the Meadows National Gun Club. Many will stop in the local Bass Pro Shops in Macon to purchase their ammunition, and will stay at local hotels throughout the four-day shoot, pouring hundreds of thousands of dollars into the local economy.

The S.D. Game, Fish and Parks Department is gearing up for its 14th Becoming an Outdoors-Woman workshop. The workshop will be held Sept. 19-21 at Outlaw Ranch, near Custer.

EDGEFIELD, S.C. — The once rare gobble of the wild turkey is becoming more commonplace in areas across North America, thanks to the work of the National Wild Turkey Federation's Making Tracks program.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Legendary handgun maker and rising star in hunting rifles and shotguns, Smith & Wesson has become the newest sponsor of National Hunting and Fishing Day.

The annual celebration of hunters, anglers and conservation is set for Sept. 27, 2008.

Bucking a trend, sales of hunting and fishing licenses increased in California, according to a Sacremento Bee article that cites statistics from the state Department of Fish and Game. The increase for hunting, about 3 percent, is the first to stretch over two years since 1990. Although the state does not collect demographic information from license buyers that might indicate a trend, factors cited as potential causes of the increase include retiring baby boomers with more time to spend hunting and fishing, more women participants and a connection to the "eat local" movement that encourages finding sources of food close to home in order to benefit the environment.

A Pennsylvania judge last week struck down a Philadelphia City Council ban on so-called "assault weapons" and a second ordinance limiting handgun purchases to one a month. Read NSSF's statement on the ruling.

EDGEFIELD, S.C. — The National Wild Turkey Federation recently signed an agreement with Daisy Outdoor Products that will help commemorate the 10-year anniversary of the NWTF's Women in the Outdoors outreach program.

CHAMA -- The Department of Game and Fish will conduct public meetings in Tierra Amarilla and Farmington on June 17 and 18 to review and listen to comments about the Department's recommendations for big-game hunting rules for the 2009 and 2010 seasons.

The Department will consider public ideas and suggestions in developing the big-game hunting rules, which will be presented to the State Game Commission at the commission meeting July 23 in Las Vegas. The Commission will adopt the final rules Oct. 2 after further revisions and public comments.

GEORGIA — Cogongrass - a little-known, aggressive weed - is causing big problems for wildlife, having attacked millions of acres of wildlife habitat across the Southeast. But the National Wild Turkey Federation and its project partners are fighting back.

The National Wild Turkey Federation’s dedicated volunteers and the Pennsylvania Game Commission worked together tirelessly to pull off the greatest conservation success story in history — the restoration of the wild turkey.   What’s next for the wild turkey? The NWTF’s staff, grassroots volunteers, and agency partners have been working together to write the next chapter in the wild turkey success story — NWTF’s Pennsylvania Wild Turkey Strategic Plan.   The plan will not only ensure the continued success of the wild turkey, but at the same time it will improve habitat for a multitude of wildlife and plant species, while also focusing on providing more opportunities and access for hunters.   The plan is designed to help volunteers make informed decisions when spending their hard-earned Hunting Heritage Super Fund dollars to not only put them in the right places, but to make them go further with additional cooperator funds.

Trout fishing, learning to shoot a bow and receiving instruction on safe hunting strategies are just some of the activities scheduled for the fifth annual 45th Parallel Gobblers JAKES Day, June 7, 2008.  The National Wild Turkey Federation’s 45th Parallel Gobblers Chapter will welcome nearly 900 youth from its JAKES and Xtreme JAKES programs in northern Michigan to the Johnson property behind Jay’s Sporting Goods in Gaylord, Mich.  During the event, participants can learn a variety of outdoor skills and hear the remarkable restoration story of the wild turkey.  The NWTF’s JAKES program (Juniors Acquiring Knowledge, Ethics and Sportsmanship) teaches the principles of wildlife management and traditions of safe, ethical and responsible hunting to youth up to age 12.

The National Wild Turkey Federation’s Iowa State Chapter continues to make public hunting access a priority, having already contributed $72,000 toward the purchase of 812 acres of land in the Hawkeye State in 2008.   Most recently in Iowa, NWTF volunteers helped purchase land that will be used for public hunting as part of four existing conservation areas in Allamekee, Buchanan, Woodbury and Webster counties. The NWTF, with help from project partners, purchased land to expand public hunting land in the Lansing Wildlife Management Area, along the Wapsipinicon River, in the Oak Ridge Conservation Area and in the Boone Forks WMA.

Framework for Conservation Title agreed upon, details expected early next week

– May 2, 2008 – Late last night, congressional leaders reached a framework agreement on the 2008 Farm Bill's Conservation Title. Lawmakers are still ironing out other titles to complete the new Farm Bill. Full conservation program specifics will not be publicly released until early next week, but the new Farm Bill appears to be moving forward with the possibility of floor votes in both the Senate and House next week.

PIERRE, S.D.—South Dakota’s hunting heritage has traditionally been passed from one generation to the next. Recognizing that linage, and wanting to help it along, the S.D. Legislature approved a bill this year that allows children as young as 10 years of age to take part in mentored hunting opportunities.

“Having youngsters in the field is nothing new in South Dakota,” said Tony Leif, director of the Wildlife Division of the S.D. Game, Fish and Parks Department. “Many South Dakotans learned about hunting and the outdoors well before they were old enough to hunt.”

EDGEFIELD, S.C. — Thanks to partnerships between the National Wild Turkey Federation and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), thousands of acres of wildlife habitat have been conserved and improved throughout the nation.

To continue improving wildlife habitat and helping landowners, the NWTF and NRCS recently renewed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The MOU, which was first signed by the two groups in 2003, will continue their partnership until 2013.

EDGEFIELD, S.C. — Each year, conservation-minded Americans celebrate National Arbor Day by joining forces on the last Friday in April to plant an estimated 18 million tree seedlings.

However, to improve wildlife habitat and the environment, tree-planting efforts must span much further than Arbor Day celebrations. Through the National Wild Turkey Federation's initiatives, private landowners and volunteers work year-round to rejuvenate forests by managing habitat and planting trees.

HURON, S.D.—With the arrival of spring, people are anxious to get outdoors and enjoy the nice weather. The S.D. Outdoor Expo to be held on the S.D. State Fairgrounds on May 17-18 will be a great opportunity for the whole family to get outside, enjoy the outdoors and learn a few new activities that they can enjoy all summer long. There are nearly 100 activities and booths for people to visit. There is sure to be something for everyone.

For many years, some hunters have wrongfully blamed wild turkeys for devastating quail populations by eating quail eggs and chicks. This idea may sound ridiculous, but, once again, the accusations against turkeys are flying.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- National Hunting and Fishing Day, the Congressionally appointed celebration of hunters, anglers and conservation set for Sept. 27, welcomes Outdoor Channel as an official sponsor for 2008.

The National Wild Turkey Federation and its project partners have united to complete projects that will potentially improve more than 550,000 acres in Texas National Forests and Grasslands and Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) through the Master Challenge Cost Share Agreement.

Project partners are the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, the U.S. Forest Service, the NWTF’s Texas State Chapter and NWTF national headquarters. Throughout the five-year agreement, each partner committed $125,000 to create a shared biologist position and oversee the completion of projects that will improve habitat for wild turkeys and other wildlife.

MAN to Leverage SEG’s Relationships with Hunting and Fishing TV Producers, Country Music Stars

Denver and Elba, ALABAMA., (April 23, 2008) – The Maximum Adventure Network (MAN), a 24-hour outdoors adventure-focused television channel, announced today a strategic alliance with Southern Entertainment Group (SEG) LLC, a video and online content distribution company that owns and operates the Artists and Fans Network and Country Lifestyles Network. The alliance will provide additional outdoors adventure TV programs for MAN, give MAN access to marketing opportunities with a variety of country music stars, and provide SEG TV producers with a national platform for airing hunting and fishing shows.

DOUBLE SPRINGS, Ala. — Ask any wildlife biologist what it takes to keep wildlife healthy, happy and close to home, and they'll tell you it's all about having good habitat.

The National Wild Turkey Federation’s Tennessee state chapter and its partners recently purchased an 874-acre tract of land in southern middle Tennessee. The purchase represents another success for the NWTF’s More Places to Hunt initiative.

PIERRE, S.D.—South Dakota’s robust turkey population has proven to be popular with hunters. Consequently, when they take to the field this weekend, turkey hunters should use caution in order to have a safe hunting experience. The spring turkey season starts on April 12.

“Hunters shouldn’t make the mistake of thinking that they’re in the woods alone,” said Curt Robertson, hunter safety coordinator for the S.D. Game, Fish and Parks Department. “A hunter who makes that assumption is more likely to be involved in an accident.”

OLATHE, Kan. — The Buffalo Gals of Olathe Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation is holding its second annual Women's Outdoor Skills Workshop — a fun-filled weekend for women — April 25 to April 26, 2008.

GREAT FALLS, Mont.— Over the past five years, 690 Merriam's wild turkeys have been relocated to suitable wild turkey habitat across Montana. According to National Wild Turkey Federation Regional Biologist Jared McJunkin, the birds are doing well.

The USDA Forest Service and USDI Bureau of Land Management jointly recognized the National Wild Turkey Federation during the 73rd North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference in Phoenix, Ariz.

DES MOINES - Spring turkey hunting season is right around the corner and many hunters are primed to head into the woods to pursue this most elusive quarry.