2024: A Year in Review

This past year illustrates how the NWTF is positioned for the future and is expanding its impact on a landscape scale.

The NWTF’s longstanding mission – the conservation of the wild turkey and the preservation of our hunting heritage – has for more than five decades motivated passionate members, staff and volunteers to create meaningful, positive impacts on wild turkey populations and their habitats, and to promote education, champion hunters and engage more people in outdoor pursuits across America.

“The NWTF’s mission is concrete – it is ‘what’ we do and will not change,” NWTF co-CEO Kurt Dyroff said. “But we quickly realized the ‘why’ behind it all did not reflect our organization’s true impact. So, we decided to declare what we believe is possible and what we intend to achieve by tapping into the unique expertise and passion of a growing NWTF community to unite people and create a better world.”

To strengthen the ability to deliver on our mission, the NWTF is executing a comprehensive 10-year strategic plan that touches every aspect of the organization through a series of high-impact plans designed to achieve multiple goals. As part of that plan, the NWTF vision team, a mix of strategic communications partners, staff and volunteers, recognized how important attracting new people with different backgrounds, beliefs, skillsets and ideas will be to achieving NWTF’s mission over the next decade.

Ultimately, the team rallied around a succinct vision statement that provides the “why” and complements the NWTF’s venerable mission:

At the NWTF’s August National Board of Directors meeting, held in Watkins Glen, New York, NWTF staff officially launched the NWTF’s new Forests and Flocks Initiative, a 13-state landscape-scale effort. The new Northeastern conservation initiative will prevent future turkey declines by addressing the bird’s annual cycle needs and investing in vital research. Forests and Flocks will also bolster the NWTF’s hunting heritage and policy efforts within the region, as a lack of public support for hunting and proposed state laws in opposition to the NWTF mission are prevalent within the initiative’s area.

“The wild turkey was virtually nonexistent in the Northeast by the early 1900s, but through a monumental lift, led by agency partners, hunter-conservationists and those that revere the bird, the wild turkey population in the region is largely stable,” NWTF co-CEO Kurt Dyroff said. “Our new Forests and Flocks Initiative builds upon this incredible legacy and will work to prevent a future decline. Similarly, we have seen many state-level bills proposed and passed that directly oppose our mission — Forests and Flocks will energize our hunting heritage efforts in the region to ensure future generations experience the life-changing power of the outdoors.”

“Whether it is ensuring hens are coming out of winter in the best condition possible to help with nest success, or actively fighting the many state-level bills that are in direct opposition with our mission, Forests and Flocks captures the essence of who we are: the conservation of the wild turkey and the preservation of our hunting heritage,” NWTF co-CEO Jason Burckhalter said. “Forests and Flocks will rally our membership to address the conservation needs specific to the Northeast. We are excited to see what our volunteers and staff accomplish through this exciting new initiative.”

At the heart of the initiative is the NWTF’s dual mission to conserve the wild turkey and preserve our hunting heritage. With weather seasons being more distinct in the Northeast, ensuring the wild turkey’s annual-cycle needs are met is vital for population stability. For instance, research has indicated that hens that come out of winter in good condition are more likely to contribute during the nesting season.

Purpose: The purpose of this 10-year initiative is to enhance wild turkey nesting and brood-rearing habitat through projects that improve forest and field health and resiliency at a landscape scale in Southeastern states through active management of over 1 million acres by 2033.

Timeframe: 2023-2033

Acreage impacted: 74,763*
(*An additional 196,001 acres of nesting and brood habitat was enhanced through chapters supporting prescribed burn teams as of September 2024).

Goal: NWTF estimates a need of $40 million – with partner collaboration – by the year 2033 to improve over 1 million acres of early successional habitat, which will enhance nesting and brood-rearing conditions on both public and private lands. We anticipate leveraging funds at a minimum of 5:1. To accomplish this, the NWTF has an estimated
fundraising goal of $8 million over the next 10 years.

Purpose: The NWTF and USDA Forest Service developed this initiative to work to scale across entire landscapes to create healthy and resilient forests. Wildfires, because infestations and drought don’t care about boundaries or property lines. The Rocky Mountain Restoration Initiative (RMRI) serves as the common entry point for restoration efforts in the Rockies.

Timeframe: 2020-2030

Acreage impacted: 41,785 acres in 2023; *107,769 acres total
(*As of Dec. 31,2023)

Goal: Partners are restoring landscapes in the RMRI-Southwest, RMRI-Upper Arkansas and RMRI-Upper South Platte landscapes. By 2030, RMRI-SW aims to restore 310,000 acres of public and private lands, RMRI-Upper Arkansas 30,000 acres of public and private lands, and RMRI-Upper South Platte 75,000 acres of public and private lands.

Purpose: A comprehensive, landscape-level effort developed by the NWTF to address critically urgent conservation needs in riparian ecosystems along rivers and streams in the Great Plains of the United States.

Timeframe: 2022-2032

Acreage impacted: 5,725.5 acres and 62.5 stream miles in FY24; 42,663 acres and 179.4 stream miles total
(*As of Aug. 31, 2024)

In 2024, the initiative funded vital water-related conservation projects with a $215,000 investment in 16 high-priority conservation actions in America’s Great Plains.

Goal: To address critical conservation issues, the NWTF is partnering with landowners, governmental agencies, and other conservation organizations to restore these vitally important riparian ecosystems across the landscape. Over the next 10 years, the NWTF will improve 75,000 acres of wildlife habitat along 1,500 linear miles of waterways in the Great Plains landscape.

In Fiscal Year 2024, the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) made significant progress under its Master Stewardship Agreement with the USDA Forest Service. This partnership, established in late 2022, delivered transformative conservation results, enhanced wildlife habitats, bolstered local economies, and addressed critical wildfire and forest health challenges across multiple regions.

Key Achievements by Region:

Region 6: Through the Hawks project 5,042 acres of timber removal, thinning and mastication was completed since the project’s inception and has delivered over 59,000 tons of timber to local mills. The project has also supported the Timber Transport Pilot Program, with 203 railcars of timber contributing to local economies. In addition, a modification to the Region 6 SPA was signed, adding a disaster recovery project on the Umpqua National Forest. This will address 2,383 acres of roadside hazards left in the wake of the 2020, 2021 and 2024 wildfires.

Region 5: Completed in FY24, the Colt Project restored 5,913 acres through brush mowing, mastication and timber removal. The project also provided 4,841 tons of biomass for local mills and generated funding for the Granite Thin Project, a new 1,556-acre initiative. A new agreement was also signed in this region, the Klamath River WUI Project, featuring extensive surveys and vegetation management over 34,000 acres.

Region 4: Launched the Deer Point Forest Stewardship Project, including 1,303 acres of commercial harvest, 225 acres of hazard tree mitigation and 3.85 miles of road reconstruction.

Region 2: Cheap Trick and Blondie projects on the Big Horn National Forest were advertised and awarded, encompassing 536 acres of treatment. Road work for these projects is scheduled for completion in the summer of 2025. Additionally, the 325-acre Cottonwood Project on the White River National Forest was advertised in August 2024.

Additionally, a modification to the Region 2 SPA was signed in September to include the Saguache Spruce Stewardship Project. This project features 3,410 acres of spruce salvage, reducing wildfire risks and supporting local timber industries.

Region 1: Advanced work in Montana’s Bitterroot and Custer-Gallatin National Forests, such as botany surveys, soil surveys, boundary surveys, road reconstruction, commercial timber harvesting and non-commercial thinning to restore over 3,800 acres.

To sustain these ambitious efforts, the NWTF signed a Participating Agreement in March 2024, establishing seven critical roles across regions, including wildfire crisis management and GIS support.

Through these initiatives, the NWTF continues to lead in wildfire crisis response and forest conservation, reaffirming its commitment to healthy forests, thriving wildlife, and resilient communities.

Via its largest single annual investment in wild turkey research, the NWTF distributed $655,447 to nine wild turkey research projects for the organization’s 2024 allocation. Between NWTF funding and partner support, nearly $6 million will support the nine wild turkey research projects.

“Thanks to our volunteers, partners and staff, our National RFP program has become a powerhouse for energizing wild turkey research and infusing needed funding into projects with practical management applications,” NWTF co-CEO Kurt Dyroff said. “This third investment in just over two years represents the NWTF’s commitment to ensuring wild turkey managers and policymakers are using the best available science to manage and guide the sustainability of our beloved bird, while also increasing our understanding of wild turkey ecology in an ever-changing world.”

The boosted funding has brought the NWTF’s investment in wild turkey ecology research — in just over two years — to $1,597,821 through its National Wild Turkey Request for Proposals program.

Funding for this year’s RFP investment was made possible thanks to significant contributions from the Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Outdoor Fund, Mossy Oak and NWTF state chapters.

“Since we began our aggressive research strategy in 2022, we have been able to grow our RFP investment each year because of our extraordinary partners, donors and volunteers who understand the importance science plays in guiding the conservation of the wild turkey,” NWTF co-CEO Jason Burckhalter said. “We will continue our robust annual RFP program to fund practical research, helping reverse declining numbers and ensuring stable populations remain anchored.”

Projects for 2024 funding include:

• Arizona: Determining Nest Selection and Initiation Dates, Habitat Use, Dispersal and Survivability of Translocation Through the Use of GPS Transmitters
• Florida: Turkey Vital Rates Response to Habitat Quality and Supplemental Feeding
• Florida: Integrating Data Sources to Quantify Wild Turkey Abundance
• Georgia and South Carolina: Gobbling Activity of Individual Male Wild Turkeys
• Iowa: Identification of Mammalian Predators of Wild Turkey Nests and Females Using Genetic Techniques
• Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Texas: Spatiotemporal Variation in Wild Turkey Exposure to Neonicotinoid Insecticides in the United States
• Kansas: Effects of Land Cover and Precipitation Gradient on the Relative Risk of Predation of Wild Turkeys in Kansas
• Texas: Habitat Suitability Model for Wild Turkeys in East Texas
• Texas: Investigating Diet, Disease and Population Dynamics Through Metabarcoding, Citizen Science and State Demographic Models

Since the NWTF’s brand evolved in 2021, our focus on wild turkey research has intensified. The combined commitment of our state chapters’ Super Fund contributions and the NWTF’s national investment in wild turkey research between 2022-2024 is more than $1.8 million.

For over 30 years, Chamberlain has been a stalwart researcher of wild turkey ecology. Being both a mainstay researcher in academia and a passionate turkey hunter, Chamberlain conveys a unique perspective, understanding what the leading science says while also being aware of the position and desires of many turkey hunters. What’s more, Chamberlain has effectively communicated the often-nuanced aspects of wild turkey ecology research to the broader turkey hunting public and has engaged the turkey hunting community on the importance of research and conservation practices.

Chamberlain has leveraged his large following on social media platforms with his “Turkey Tuesday” posts, segments that elaborate on wild turkey ecology and how it applies to hunters. Similarly, he has utilized his Wild Turkey Lab platform to make archives of wild turkey research accessible to all who want to learn, while also providing engaging content. The NWTF is a proud supporter of the Wild Turkey Lab.

Similar university positions exist for waterfowl, quail, ungulates (deer) and other species, but the NWTF Distinguished Professor is the first of its kind for the wild turkey. The NWTF announced the novel position in June, while awaiting the UGA Board of Regents’ formal decision of who would chair the position.

“As he brings over three decades of wild turkey expertise into this position, Mike carries immense credibility, know-how and passion into this role,” said Mark Hatfield, NWTF national director of science and planning. “We are excited to see Mike cultivate this new role into something that ensures the sustainability of the wild turkey across generations. As the endowment grows, so too will the impact for the wild turkey.”

The UGA endowment was jumpstarted by a $250,000 contribution from the NWTF and a $250,000 match grant from the UGA Foundation. NWTF’s staff leadership, the National Board of Directors and state chapter leaders endorsed this opportunity at the 48th annual Convention and Sport Show in Nashville in February.

The NWTF seeks to create similar positions at key universities across the country; this network of endowed professorships will promote future wild turkey researchers and ensure the study of the wild turkey remains an area of emphasis, during times of decline and during times of stability.

In fiscal year 2024, NWTF Education and Outreach Programs set a goal to increase retention events. Our chapters assist with retention efforts by holding “next step” events, helping people stay engaged along the path of becoming a hunter. These events can be in partnership with state or federal agencies or other non-profit organizations.

There were 1,029 education and outreach events in FY24, with 32 states participating. Compared to FY23, which had 853 events, we saw an increase of 176 new opportunities for individuals to get involved. Through the lens of retention events, we observed increases each quarter throughout our organization, ranging from 7% to 42% in growth compared to FY23.

Becoming an annual Women’s Mentored Archery Hunt, the New Jersey Women in the Outdoors Chapter has hosted a special event designed to inspire and support women in their hunting journey. Whether a seasoned hunter or novice, this fantastic opportunity provides an environment to learn, connect, and celebrate the spirit of adventure with like-minded women. For the past five years, members, such as Cristina McGannon-Jones, have hosted a fall event to welcome ladies into a space of learning and support that extends far beyond just one weekend. From the six-week virtual class they’ve curated leading up to the weekend, to a community within their state WITO chapter, these ladies have built a support system of preparation and next steps for individuals new to get involved and stay plugged in.
Seeing individuals new to hunting at the beginning of the chapter’s kickoff to now serving as mentors and friends, is what the idea of retention is all about.

Other follow-up events the chapter hosts include the Hot Summer Nights Paddle series, a July weekend experience that includes kayaking, clamming, fishing, crafting and exploring; JAKES fishing days; trap shooting benefits; Outdoor Days to teach safe firearm handling and archery skillsets; Annual Alumni Turkey Camps; guided fishing trips; and more. All the events hosted have built a strong community that supports the continuation of individuals exploring what hunting can look like for their lifestyles moving forward and curates confidence in belonging to strong support systems.

In the next phase of the Hunt for Good campaign, we launched a regional campaign with the Northeast Association
of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. This implementation will not only further spread positive messaging but will continue to collect data points about which techniques and strategies are most effective in bolstering the support of the nonhunting community. In this phase of the campaign, the partnership includes 11 states.

Also, the NWTF has a communication and outreach plan to coincide with media distribution of the campaign alongside state agencies with volunteers and chapters in the Northeast. With the Hunt for Good Campaign officially launching this year, opportunities to share about the campaign have spanned far and wide from the R3 Symposium, Northeast
Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies’ Conference, International Hunter Education Association Conference, Gun Owners of America Conference, SHOT Show and much more.

In partnership with the International Hunter Education Association, we have developed a new training resource, an extended Learning Network called the NWTF Learning Hub. The learning resource includes seven online courses, packed full of resources, provided to our volunteers at no cost. One of the courses to highlight is the “NWTF Education and Outreach Event Training.” While navigating through this course, users gain knowledge and assistance in event registration, programming examples, resource documents and their explanations, and so much more. A second notable course to share is the “Becoming a Turkey Hunting Mentor.” This course was documented through subject matter experts and valuable input from mentors spanning years of experience. We break down the prerequisites for becoming a mentor, best practices, and NWTF guidelines and ethics.

Once individuals have created an account, participants will also find additional resource pages and networking opportunities with other volunteers through our social groups. The resource was officially launched on Aug. 30, and
within the first few weeks of launching, we have had more than 60 volunteers access the courses. The rollout started with state outreach coordinators to provide initial feedback, and the next phase will include state chapter presidents and staff to use and share in 2025.

Jesse Warner has officially occupied the NWTF’s all-new Northeastern R3 Coordinator position. The new role will amplify the NWTF’s Education and Outreach programming and help facilitate both state-specific and multi-state R3-related initiatives across the 15-state region.

NWTF staff actively monitored 90 policy items, with NWTF state chapters engaging in 38 of these bills or regulations, either in support or in opposition. Of the 38 bills or regulations the NWTF took a position on, there was a favorable disposition 53% of the time and an unfavorable disposition 16% of the time. The remainder of the bills are still active and do not have a disposition at this time. In addition to the active engagement detailed above, NWTF conservation staff across the country spent considerable time monitoring bills, rules, and regulations which have the potential to impact the NWTF’s mission, either positively or negatively. Staff worked closely with our partners and volunteer leadership in each state in this effort.

West Region

West region staff monitored or directly engaged in 17 bills in five states. Across the West, we continue to see firearms legislation affecting hunting and wildlife management that is not favorable to the NWTF’s mission; however, we did see firearms legislation fail in several states. This may be a positive sign that firearms litigation or public attitudes may be moderating extreme firearms positions. Wildlife conservation or sportsmen’s coalitions are continuing to grow and become more effective. The NWTF currently participates in coalitions in California, Colorado, Nevada, Oregon and Washington. Colorado is one of the states where it is relatively easy to drive citizen petitions to the ballot. This year, the NWTF joined the Colorado Wildlife Conservation Project, Coloradans for Responsible Wildlife Managment and Colorado’s Wildlife Deserve Better, to defeat a ballot initiative to ban “trophy hunting” of mountain lion, bobcat and lynx. The definition of trophy hunting in the language was especially problematic. Land designations in a few western states were also an area of engagement for our state chapters.

Central Region

Central region staff monitored 49 bills, regulation change proposals and land management issues in the 14-state region and actively engaged in nine of those bills. The NWTF enjoyed a high success rate with six bills resulting in a favorable outcomes, with three bills still being considered. The most common policy items in the region related to wildlife and habitat management issues, license fee structures, and supporting our state wildlife agency partners to retain the ability to purchase lands for public access in the future. Fortunately, we saw fewer firearm bills this year and even had a notable policy victory related to firearms with the legalization of .410 shotguns for the taking of wild turkeys in Illinois. The Illinois NWTF State Chapter supported this bill from its inception. Additionally, the Oklahoma NWTF State Chapter, as part of a broad coalition of conservation organizations, saw success in a multi-year effort to support the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation in their effort to modernize the license fee structure and secure additional authorities into the future. In addition to these important state-level policy issues, the Indiana NWTF State Chapter was busy supporting active forest management and the future management of the Hoosier National Forest at the state and federal levels.

East Region

East staff monitored or engaged in 24 bills, regulation change proposals and draft land management plans. Of the 11 policy issues that reached a conclusion, nine of the items were resolved favorably while two were unfavorable. One notable policy issue included the repeal of the need for hunters in portions of New York to wear back tags. New York was the last state in the country to require those hunting in certain regions to wear back tags for at least some portion of the hunting season. Multiple state agencies, including North Carolina, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and South Carolina, have wild turkey hunting season regulation change proposals being considered. In Massachusetts, the state chapter opposed one large-scale, firearms-related bill early in the process. At the eleventh hour, an amended version of the bill made it through the Senate and House in short order and was signed into law only a few days later. Authority to actively manage forests and proposals to modify the makeup of state agency commissions were other themes across multiple states in FY24.

As we embark on our next 50 years, we are bringing increased focus on actions to achieve strategic goals in mission delivery and investments in our future.

During this fiscal year, we initiated several mission-delivery strategies, including the deployment of landscape-level initiatives, collaboration with state chapters to fund the first-ever endowed wild turkey professorship, as well as increased funding for other wild turkey research opportunities. We also are building a campaign to improve the
public acceptance and perception of hunting, in addition to creating more regional projects and capacity across the country through a master agreement with the USDA Forest Service. We empowered our staff to develop recommendations in five strategic focus areas of the organization, which has resulted in the largest investment in mission delivery in the NWTF’s history.