Winners Announced for the 2024 NWTF Photo Contest
EDGEFIELD, S.C. — Strutting and gobbling turkeys, rutting deer and elk, majestic eagles, snow-capped peaks, picturesque hardwood bottoms and prairies, and countless captured moments of the excitement found in the life-changing power of the outdoors — these are just a few of the numerous snapshots from which the National Wild Turkey Federation chose its winners for the 2024 NWTF Photo Contest, which saw an overwhelming response to an exciting format with numerous categories. More than 220 photographers submitted 1,700-plus photos for consideration.
The contest welcomed entries capturing the beauty of wild places, the diverse wildlife inhabiting our natural landscapes, and lifestyle imagery reflecting the essence of time spent afield, contributing to the preservation of our hunting heritage.
The Grand Prize, titled "Tom Flying Across a River," was awarded to Tom Martineau, for his exceptional entry that captures a mature male wild turkey grazing its feet in the water as it soars across a river. As a part of the grand prize, Martineau will receive a $1,000 cash prize, publication in a special multi-spread feature in an issue of Turkey Call magazine, be showcased at the 2025 NWTF Convention and Sport Show Waterin’ Hole and be highlighted in the NWTF’s online winners’ gallery.
“I feel pretty honored to get a few wins,” Martineau said. “[I] didn’t expect that at all … and I’m glad it's for the NWTF. Just like any outdoor photographer, you bring your camera with you and hope to expect some great imagery. You just don’t get it every time you go out. Maybe 1% of the time you capture something award-winning like that.”
Additional winners in each category will also receive a cash prize, be featured in a special photo contest section in Turkey Call magazine, and have their work showcased in the NWTF's online winners' gallery.
View the submissions for the 2024 NWTF Photo Contest here, and look for the 2025 contest to open later this fall.
Individual category results include:
Live Wild Turkey
1st Place: “Single Tom Gobbling” by Tom Martineau
2nd Place: “One Beautiful Hen” by Dale Kauzlaric
3rd Place: “Young Limb Gobbler” by Josh Van Ommermen
Live Wildlife
1st Place: “The Man” by Josh Van Ommermen
2nd Place: “Stud” by Zach McQueen
3rd Place: “Little Grey Fox” by Melody Keane
Scenic Wild Landscapes
1st Place: “Blueridge Parkway” by Hunter Rice
2nd Place: “Scenic River Aerial” by Tom Martineau
3rd Place: “Frosty Turkey Hunt Sunrise” by Dale Kauzlaric
Hunting/Outdoor Lifestyle
1st Place: “Once in a Dream” by Foster Bartholow
2nd Place: “Crossing River” by Tom Martineau
3rd Place: “Dreamland” by Clayton Worrell
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.