The NWTF's Hunting Heritage banquets raise funds for wild turkey conservation
while combining a great meal with a chance to swap stories with other sportsmen
and women. They're a great place to meet new friends who share a passion for the
outdoors, win valuable prizes and purchase items unique to the NWTF. By placing
the highest bid or winning raffle games, attendees can go home with sporting
art, unique hunting firearms, knives, wildlife calls, outdoor equipment and much
more. Be sure to check out
Washington's Hunter's Heritage Banquets by
visiting the calendar
"We always have good food at our Hunting Heritage Banquets," said Ricky Peek,
NWTF southeast Georgia regional director. "We also know that today's families
are busier than ever, so we make sure the events don't run too late into the
evening," Peek added. "We make it entertaining for the kids as well, and it's
just a fun night out for every member of the family."
By attending an NWTF Hunting Heritage Banquet, attendees also do great things
for wild turkey conservation and North America's hunting traditions. The NWTF's
2,350 local chapters and more than 550,000 members raise money through ticket
sales, silent auctions, live auctions and raffles. The money is combined with
donations from corporate sponsors and individuals concerned about wildlife
conservation.
By attending a Hunting Heritage Super Fund Banquet, you also receive an NWTF
membership, which helps the NWTF do even more to support wildlife management on
public, private and corporate lands and preserve hunting as a traditional North
American sport.
"Life-long friendships have been forged at our Hunting Heritage banquets," said
Bob Farkasovsky, NWTF West Virginia regional director. "If you're looking for a
hunting and fishing buddy, odds are you'll find one or more at an NWTF Hunting
Heritage Banquet. It's just a real friendly group of people who are passionate
about hunting and wild turkey conservation."
The NWTF has shaped a legacy of wild turkey conservation and preservation of the
hunting tradition for 35 years. Since 1973, the Federation's ranks have grown to
more than 550,000 members across the United States, Canada and Mexico, while the
population of wild turkey hunters is nearly three million.
Anyone wanting to have a good time in the name of conservation is invited to
attend a Wild Turkey Super Fund banquet.
Another way to support a Super Fund Banquet is through product donation.
Individuals and business can donate products for the live auction, silent
auction, raffle items and even a facility to hold the banquets.
And with the NWTF being a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation, donated items
may be tax deductible.
Washington NWTF Wild Turkey State Super Fund Projects
Administered jointly by the NWTF, its state chapters and state wildlife
agencies, the Wild Turkey Super Fund is used for projects that support the
conservation of the wild turkey and preservation of the hunting tradition.
Nationally, NWTF chapters and cooperating partners have raised and spent over
$175 million dollars for wild turkey conservation. Since 1985 over $420,576 has
been raised and spent by Washington chapters on projects within the state. More
than $38,074 has been spent in 2003 alone. A sampling of these projects is
provided below.
Habitat Enhancement· Spent $33,180 on habitat improvement projects.
· maintenance and development of brood habitat
· wildlife openings
· prescribed fire
· tree planting
· riparian restoration
· water development projects
· control of invasive plant species
· support for seed subsidy and conservation seed programs
· Habitat enhancement projects have impacted more than 3,956 acres within the
state.
· 168 acres of wildlife openings
Purchased equipment for habitat management including:
· 3 trailers
· 3 planters
· 1 disk/harrow
Projects were completed on:
· Eagle Rock
· McDonald Mountain
· Sneed Mountain
· Tacoma Creek
Education
· Spent $15,658 on educational programs and literature including scholarships,
education boxes, 4-H and teacher workshops.
· Awarded 9 scholarships.
· In 2003, 6 scholarships totaling $3,500 were awarded to graduating high school
seniors that have an interest in hunting.
· Donated more than 65 education boxes to area schools.
· Spent $1,447 on educational projects for volunteers and professionals
including:
· volunteer leadership workshops
· Wild Turkey Woodlands field days
· state web sites and newsletters
· Purchased 6 educational CD-ROMs.
JAKES
· Spent $16,205 to introduce youth to outdoor activities, conservation and
hunting.
· Sponsored 24 JAKES Conservation Field Days throughout the state.
Hunting Heritage
· Spent $6,136 to protect and promote the hunting tradition including
contributions to the U.S. Sportsman’s Alliance and the National Shooting Sports
Foundation.
Hunter Safety
· Spent $3,000 to support hunter safety classes and initiatives within the
state.
· Purchased hunter safety materials and equipment, including interactive
shooting systems.
Turkey Restoration
· Spent $75,126 to trap and transfer turkeys within the state.
· Expenses include the purchase of trapping equipment such as nets, rockets and
rocket charges.
· Spent $208,905 to reimburse other states for expenses related to the trap and
transfer of 834 donated turkeys.
Women’s Programs
· Spent $4,400 on programs, materials and equipment to introduce women to the
outdoors, hunting and conservation.
· Conducted 12 Women in the Outdoors events throughout the state.
Rewards
· Spent $835 to protect wild turkeys and other wildlife through support of state
sponsored reward programs, the printing of reward signs and reward payments.
Management
· Spent $892 on wild turkey management.
· operation of wild turkey check stations
· hunter success and satisfaction surveys
· completion of wild turkey management plans
· support of law enforcement activities
· Purchased equipment to support law enforcement and management activities
including:
· ATV’s
