NWTF Chapters Earn Best Inaugural Event Awards
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The NWTF’s Best Inaugural Event Award was presented to the South Carolina WITO Chapter, the Salt Creek Gobblers of Utah and the Thee Forks Wild Turkey Chapter in Illinois during the 49th annual Convention and Sport Show, sponsored by Mossy Oak. This award honors chapters that have hosted an exceptional first-time hunting heritage event, including JAKES, Wheelin’ Sportsmen or Women in the Outdoors.
South Carolina’s WITO Chapter: Ladies Hog Hunt in Collaboration with the National Deer Association
In June 2024, South Carolina’s WITO Chapter held its first-ever ladies hog hunt in collaboration with the National Deer Association. The event lodged eight first-time and early-career hunters overnight, and mentors offered shooting instruction and range time for target practice. Lessons on deer jawbone aging and food plots were also provided. The NDA provided the property for this hunt, and NDA and NWTF volunteers ensured the safety and experience of all hunters.
“I am deeply honored to be recognized with the 2024 Best Inaugural WITO Event award for our Ladies Hog Hunt,” said Jennifer Hodge, NWTF volunteer. “This achievement reflects the incredible support of our participants, mentors and team who shared our passion for introducing women to the outdoors. I am truly grateful for this recognition and remain committed to empowering women through education, adventure and community. I am also looking forward to hosting additional events with the National Deer Association in the future.”
The Salt Creek Gobblers: First Youth Pheasant Hunt
With help from the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, 16 youth were selected to participate. Volunteers provided guidance, instruction and target practice. The youth also worked with trained hunting dogs to see how the dogs flushed and retrieved birds, which provided a greater understanding of the teamwork involved in hunting.
Accompanied by a parent, the participants later headed into the field for the real hunting experience. Each participant had the opportunity to try to harvest two pheasants, and after the hunt, mentors taught the youth hunters how to clean and prepare the birds. By introducing youth to the full hunting process, they gained a deeper appreciation for hunting, encouraging them to continue the tradition and share it with others.
“We have been a chapter for over 28 years, and we try to incorporate the NWTF mission in all we do,” said Lynn Wordwood, Utah State Chapter president. “I believe that our youth are being pulled from all sides on how to spend their time, and the outdoors is a great place to spend it.”
For this event, the NWTF partnered with the Utah Division of Wildlife, which helped to draw youth from across the state, and with Barnes Bullets and 4 Mile Hunting Club.
Thee Forks Wild Turkey: Wheelin’ Sportsmen Hunt
The Wheelin’ Sportsmen Hunt event brought 54 hunters and 20 mentors together for a three-day deer hunt at Southern Illinois University’s Touch of Nature in the Shawnee National Forest.
This hunt provided an opportunity for hunters to have a positive outdoor experience. Michael Howie, Illinois Wheelin’ Sportsmen state coordinator, was instrumental in organizing the event, and some volunteers made sure to arrive early to scout and place hunting blinds in strategic places. Hunters would gather in the evenings to share their stories.
Lip Curl deer scents donated over $1,500 in products to help increase the hunters' chances for success, and Sydenstricker Nobbe John Deere donated the use of side-by-sides for the hunters. The NWTF also partnered with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and Southern Illinois University, which provided volunteers and staff to assist with the hunt.
“It’s a great honor,” Howie said. “We are all honored and very humbled to be winning this award. Doing these disabled hunts has been one of my greatest achievements. I’m not sure who gets more out of them, the participants or me, seeing the smiles on their faces.”
“Creating fun, new events helps keep the NWTF ahead of the curve with recruiting, retaining and reactivating hunters,” NWTF co-CEO Kurt Dyroff said. “It is through our dedicated volunteers who help lead our Education and Outreach events that we are so successful. We are proud to honor our chapters this year for their new events.”
About the National Wild Turkey Federation Since 1973, the National Wild Turkey Federation has invested over half a billion dollars into wildlife conservation and has positively impacted over 24 million acres of critical wildlife habitat. The NWTF has also invested over $10 million into wild turkey research to guide the management of the wild turkey population and to ensure sustainable populations into perpetuity. The organization continues to deliver its mission by working across boundaries on a landscape scale through its Four Shared Values: clean and abundant water, healthy forests and wildlife habitat, resilient communities, and robust recreational opportunities. With the help of its dedicated members, partners and staff, the NWTF continues its work to provide Healthy Habitats. and Healthy Harvests. for future generations.