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Camden Man Impresses at NWTF's Grand National Friction Calling Championship
Sadler McGraw, from Camden, Ala., placed second in the Friction Division at the 2010 Wild Turkey Bourbon/NWTF Grand National Turkey Calling Championships. (NWTF photo)
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NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Sadler McGraw's focus, talent and practice paid off on Thursday, Feb. 18, when he placed second in the Friction Division at the Wild Turkey Bourbon/NWTF Grand National Turkey Calling Championships in Nashville, Tenn.
Hailing from Camden, Ala., McGraw used friction calls made by Woodhaven Custom Calls to fall just one point shy of being crowned champion.
Every February, callers from all over the nation flock to the National Wild Turkey Federation's National Convention and Sport Show, sponsored by MidwayUSA, to compete in the championships. With more than $25,000 in cash and prizes going to the top callers, seats fill up with onlookers to see and hear the terrific turkey talk.
In the Friction Division, callers are asked to perform a series of calls that imitate a single wild turkey hen. Some of these calls include the yelp, cluck and purr, kee kee run, and cutting of the excited hen. A panel of seven expert judges score each call and the slightest mistake can virtually eliminate a caller from contention.
"Winning a title at the Grand National Turkey Calling Championships is like reaching the summit of a mountain. There is no higher place among the turkey calling's elite," said George Thornton, NWTF CEO. "The atmosphere in the room during the trophy presentation is electric. Raising the first-place trophy at these contests means that you have beaten the best callers in the world."
Each year, thousands of outdoor enthusiasts and NWTF supporters rally at the NWTF National Convention and Sport Show. The event features the Grand National Calling Championships, seminars from hunting pros, more than 550 vendor booths, top entertainers at evening functions and more.
The NWTF is a nonprofit conservation organization that works daily to further its mission of conserving the wild turkey and preserving our hunting heritage.
Through dynamic partnerships with state, federal and provincial wildlife agencies, the NWTF and its members have helped restore wild turkey populations across the country, spending more than $306 million to conserve 14 million acres of habitat for all types of wildlife.
http://www.nwtf.org/nwtf_newsroom/press_releases.php?id=13072
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Helping to Fund Education and Preserving Our Natural Resources
Bev Leigh presenting on behalf of the Alabama NWTF Board of Directors a check for $10,000 to University of Alabama Dean of Arts & Sciences Dr. Robert Olin.
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The University of Alabama Culverhouse College of Commerce and Business Administration AND the College of Arts & Sciences in 2008 created a new Minor to increase students' interest in Alabama's ecological diversity and to teach them how to preserve our state's abundant natural resources.
This new Natural Resources & Recreational Land Use Management course minor is the brainchild of former Alabama DCNR Commissioner Riley Boykin Smith and he is proud that it will give students the knowledge base necessary to make smart personal and business decisions that will promote the long term health and economic vitality of Alabama's wildlife.
The University of Alabama will work in conjunction with Auburn University to give students hands-on experience in natural resources management with both classroom teaching and "on the ground" experience at the newly acquired 450 acre Tanglewood Farm just south of the Tuscaloosa campus in Akron, AL.
This first of two $10,000 grants from the Alabama Chapter of NWTF will fund the University's purchase of a John Deere tractor & implements for the Tanglewood property. The Alabama NWTF Directors feel that this grant is a good investment in our youth and that it will pay great dividends to the State of Alabama.
Related article on the University of Alabama website: (cut & paste link)
http://web.as.ua.edu/home/news/2010/mailnews/january/webmail.php
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Partnerships Key to Conservation Projects
By Jeff L. Makemson, Wildlife Biologist, Alabama Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries
Oakmulgee Wildlife Management Area (WMA) was the first WMA established in Alabama. It was created in 1937 with the passing of the Pittman-Robertson Act and a newly formed partnership with the United States Forest Service (USFS). For more than 70 years, the USFS and the Alabama Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries (WFF) have been working together to manage and to protect the natural resources on Oakmulgee WMA. Much of the past and present success has been attributed to the great support WFF and the USFS have received from various user groups and conservation organizations. The National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) is one example of a champion conservation partner.
For years, the NWTF has been a leader in assisting states in restoring wild turkey populations. The organization has done this by contributing financially to support research to better understand the habitat requirements and the biology of the wild turkey, and promoting safe and responsible turkey hunting. In 2007, the NWTF was awarded a stewardship contract from the USFS to perform forest health and wildlife habitat improvements on the 157,000-acre Oakmulgee Division of the Talladega National Forest. Much of the work took place on the 45,000-acre Oakmulgee WMA, located on the west side of the Oakmulgee Division, mostly in Bibb and Hale counties.
The NWTF is partnering with personnel from WFF to perform several projects. These projects include: thinning 362 acres of longleaf pine; removing 1,185 acres of forest mid-story (to reduce competition and allow more sunlight to reach the forest floor); treating 135 acres with herbicides to control non-native invasive plants such as kudzu and cogongrass; maintaining 144 acres of wildlife plots and linear wildlife openings; planting logging loads and skid trails; distributing 100 tons of agricultural lime on wildlife openings; installing 55 red-cockaded woodpecker artificial nest inserts; installing four gates; and burning of 2,635 acres using prescribed fire.
Red-cockaded woodpecker, Bachman’s sparrow, Northern bobwhite quail, white-tailed deer, and Eastern wild turkey are just a few species that benefit from these habitat enhancement projects. Forest health also has been improved, along with reducing the possibility of a catastrophic wildfire outbreak in the areas where prescribed fire was applied.
The stewardship contract allowed the revenue generated through the sale of timber to fund all the projects. This type of contract reduces the number of contracts and costs associated with preparing separate contracts, maximizes the amount of work that can be implemented on the ground in a timely manner, and strengthens partnerships and collaboration throughout the process. Typically, a project of this size would take eight to 10 years to complete, but with the NWTF Stewardship Contract it will be completed in less than three years.
As state and federal government budgets tighten, it is imperative that more partnerships among government agencies, conservation groups, corporations, and individuals be formed and existing ones be strengthened in order to accomplish the agencies’ missions and goals. The NWTF and the USFS are two instrumental conservation partners WFF can depend on for continued assistance with managing and protecting Alabama’s natural resources on behalf of its citizens. For more information about the NWTF Stewardship Contract on Oakmulgee WMA, contact Joe Koloski at 601-824-2993 or jkoloskenwtf@yahoo.com.
The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources promotes wise stewardship, management and enjoyment of Alabama’s natural resources through five divisions: Marine Police, Marine Resources, State Lands, State Parks, and Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries. To learn more about ADCNR visit www.outdooralabama.com.
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http://www.outdooralabama.com
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Turkey Hunters That Care
Local Chapter members in the picture (Left to right) are: Chet Matthews, Harold Levins, Phil Savage, Jenifer Glover, Gary Johnson and Gene Calhoun.
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The Elmore County Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) participated again this year in the "Turkey Hunters That Care" program to provide frozen turkeys to families in the Wetumpka area. The national Turkey Hunters That Care program distributes turkeys to needy families during the Thanksgiving season.
elmorecountynwtf@yahoo.com
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Mobile Chapter Donates Education Box
On behalf of the NWTF Mobile (AL) Chapter, chapter president, Roger Guilian recently donated a Wild About Turkey Education Box to the science department at Clark-Shaw Magnet School in Mobile, Alabama. Science teacher Glen Mutchnick was extremely grateful and excited, and said he'd share the materials with other science teachers at his school, in order that all children in the science classes can benefit. He kept saying he couldn’t wait to show it off at his upcoming Science Department meeting.
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2009 Truck Raffle Ticket Winners
Truck Winner – Harold P. Smith Summerhill, PA 814-341-7131 Ticket # 259
Mossberg 835 – Norman Cook Tazewell, VA 276-988-6582 Ticket # 177
H&R – Turkey Oak Chapter Buena Vista, GA 229314-9082 Ticket # 1352
Henry .22 – Michael Ryles Manning, SC - jannryles@yahoo.com - Ticket # 1212
Marlin 795 – Christine Davis Bethpage, TN 615-655-5221 Ticket # 355
Turkey Fryer Kit – The Forest Kings E. Anherst, NY 716-583-7161 Ticket # 1031
Thanks to everyone for participating this year!
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Moundville Archaeological Park Needs Turkey Feathers
Turkey Feathers
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The Alabama State Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation has partnered with Moundville Archaeological Park. The museum at Moundville Archaeological Park is currently undergoing a large scale renovation.
As part of the new exhibits, there will be several items that require turkey feathers. Therse include two capes made of body feathers hand sewn onto a natural fiber netting. There will also be a litter upon which a noble women will be seated which is carried by four warriors.
Research shows that some of these litters had shade covers adorned with feathers. Also, if they can find someone to fabricate it for them, they would also like to have one figure in the display wearing a headdress made from an entire turkey.
They have collected thousands of feathers so far, but still need many, many more. If you are willing to donate plucked turkey feathers to the Moundville Archaeological Park, it would be greatly appreciated.
To donate feathers, contact:
Betsy Irwin, Education Outreach Coordinator
Office of Education
Moundville Archaeological Park
Box 870340
Tuscaloosa, AL 35487
phone: 205-371-2234
fax: 205-371-4180
email: birwin@bama.ua.edu
http://moundville.ua.edu
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Gun Raffle Winner - Birmingham Deer & Turkey Expo
The Alabama State Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation is proud to announce that George Kurtts of Birmingham, AL is the winner of the gun raffle.
Congratualtions!
The Birmingham Deer & Turkey Expo was held in Birmingham, AL on July 17-19, 2009.
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Longleaf Alliance Database
Longleaf Pine
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The NWTF is asking members to report known stands of longleaf pines to help The Longleaf Alliance create a database of existing longleaf stands in states where the longleaf pine once thrived including Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas and Virginia.
http://www.nwtf.org/nwtf_newsroom/press_releases.php?id=12891
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Youth Scholarship Opportunity
Good news! The Alabama Chapter of the Safari Club will sponsor one
youth scholarship for a 15-18 year old to attend the American
Wilderness Leadership School July 5-13 in Jackson, Wyoming. The outdoor
instructional programs focus on conservation and natural resource
management that provides students a base of knowledge to better
understand and to evaluate today's and future conservation issues.
Because of late notification of this scholarship, there is a short
"turnaround time" for submitting the application materials. The
application, three letters of reference, and the essay must be received
in my office by MAY 22 at 4:45 p.m. One of the letters of
recommendation must be written by an Extension employee.
To get the application, go to
http://www.aces.edu/~klingeb/awlsapplication.
The schedule is at
http://www.aces.edu/~klingeb/awlsschedule.
http://www.aces.edu/~klingeb/awlsapplication
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Selma's Jere Peak Presented NWTF's Top Honor
Jere Peak received the Five-Star Award—the NWTF's highest volunteer recognition—during the NWTF's Convention and Sport Show.
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NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Jere Peak, of Selma, Ala., received the National Wild Turkey Federation's Five-Star Award during the Federation's 33rd annual Convention and Sport Show, held in Nashville, Tenn., Feb. 19 to Feb. 22.
The Five-Star Award is the NWTF's highest volunteer recognition. The NWTF's Five-Star Award is not given every year and, in fact, only four other outstanding volunteers have received it.
"Jere's outstanding leadership has helped move the Federation forward," said Peggy Anne Vallery, president of the NWTF. "He's a man of honor who has earned the respect of the board of directors, staff and membership as well as the outdoor industry. Jere's tremendous dedication to promoting the Federation's mission and his reputation as a good man and leader make him a deserving recipient of the Five-Star Award."
An NWTF Patron Life Sponsor member, Peak is currently chairman of the NWTF national board of directors and the nominating committee. He also serves as a member of the strategic planning, compensation, awards and executive committees. Peak was first elected to the board of directors in 1999 and has served as president and vice president.
"The past recipients of this award are volunteers that have dedicated their lives to the Federation, so it's an incredible honor to follow in their path," Peak said. "Having volunteers trust me enough to elect me to the national board of directors, and then honor me with this award, is very flattering. I am happy to have made some small contribution."
As a volunteer, Peak has served in many capacities in his local and state chapters including serving as president of the Alabama State Chapter and of his local chapter, as a member of the Alabama State Board of Directors and as banquet chairman for his local chapter.
Peak helped organize his local NWTF chapter in Selma, which was recognized in 2006 as a member of the half a million dollar club; in 2005 as a 15-year Golden Gobbler Chapter, and earned the prestigious L.A. Dixon award in 1992. The chapter has held 18 consecutive Golden Gobbler banquets to date.
"I'm fortunate to be part of a sport and an organization I truly love," Peak said. "The NWTF is more than just turkey hunting. It's also about plugging into conservation, passing on hunting traditions to youth, helping people with disabilities, sharing outdoor experiences with women and so much more. The NWTF appeals to people in so many areas, and that's why it's been so successful."
Peak earned a business degree from Auburn University in Auburn, Ala., where he majored in marketing. He is part owner of an independent insurance agency and Peak serves the National Board of Directors for the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America as an Alabama director. He and his wife Peggy have been married for 31 years and have three children.
http://www.nwtf.org/nwtf_newsroom/press_releases.php?id=12825
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Lifelong Passion Earns Alabama Teen National Recognition
Anna Lee Harris, a native of Eufaula, Ala., received the National Wild Turkey Federation's 2008 National Scholarship and $13,700 for college during an awards banquet at her high school May 15.
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EUFAULA, Ala. — Hunting and conservation became one of Anna Lee Harris' passions at an early age. This passion has led Harris, a Eufaula, Ala., native, to outdoor adventures and time spent with her family, and now has helped her earn top honors and $13,700 for college.
Harris received the National Wild Turkey Federation's 2008 National Scholarship during an awards banquet at her high school May 15. Harris competed with 42 other state winners to earn the $10,000 scholarship. Before that, she received a $1,200 Alabama Barbour County local scholarship and a $2,500 NWTF Alabama state scholarship.
Ranked first in the 2008 Eufaula High School graduating class, Harris is a leader among her peers, having served as president of the Student Government Association, and holding positions in many school and community organizations including Key Club and Future Farmers of America.
"Hunting is not just a hobby; it's a lifestyle," Harris said. "I have learned about moderation and respect for animals and their habitat, and become interested in conservation because of my relationship with hunting."
A member of the NWTF's Barbour County Chapter in Eufaula, Harris has taken a special interest in the NWTF's Wild Turkey Country Habitat Conservation Program, and plans to teach students about conserving wildlife habitats after earning her degree in elementary education from the University of Alabama.
"The adventure of hunting fills my childhood memories," Harris said. "I hope to carry my passion for conservation into the classroom, and share hunting's benefits with my students. Hunting is really an opportunity to build lasting relationships, and I can only hope to inspire my classes to enjoy the sport with their families like I enjoy hunting with mine."
NWTF scholarships are set up to benefit youth with a commitment to conservation and preserving the hunting tradition, and recipients may pursue any type of degree they wish. The scholarship program is part of the NWTF's Five-Star program, making $500,000 available each year to graduating seniors throughout the U.S. by awarding more than 800 scholarships annually. To date, the NWTF has awarded more than $2.2 million through the scholarship program.
Applicants for the scholarship are judged on their scholastic achievements, leadership abilities, community involvement and demonstrated commitment to conservation. The winners of the local chapter scholarship are then eligible for consideration of the state award of $2,500 and finally, state winners are eligible for the NWTF's national scholarship of $10,000.
http://www.nwtf.org/nwtf_newsroom/press_releases.php?id=12555&SUBSITE=nwtf
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NWTF Presents Tom Kelly 2009 Communicator of the Year Award
Col. Tom Kelly was recognized as the National Wild Turkey Federation's 2009 Communicator of the Year at the NWTF's Convention and Sport Show.
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NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Legendary turkey hunter and author Col. Tom Kelly of Spanish Fort, Ala., was recognized as the National Wild Turkey Federation's 2009 Communicator of the Year at the Federation's 33rd annual Convention and Sport Show in February. Kelly's first book, "Tenth Legion," has long been considered the best, and funniest, book on the quest for the lonesome longbeard.
"Col. Kelly has spread the turkey hunting word through a writing style all his own," said NWTF Editorial Director Burt Carey. "He is the voice for a legion of outdoors enthusiasts. You can't help but be drawn into whatever adventure — or misadventure — he conveys. Tom Kelly has promoted the wild turkey and the NWTF as much as anyone and continues to do so. His first book brought the sport into the limelight and is considered by many to be the bible of turkey hunting."
Kelly, an artillery officer and battery commander in the Korean War, received a bachelor's degree in forestry from Auburn University in 1949. He is active with the Alabama Forest Association, Forest Resource Center and is a member of the White Smith Land Company board. He has written hundreds of articles for national magazines and a dozen books. He is a Senior Sponsor of the NWTF and has been a member of the Federation since 1986.
"I'm very pleased and proud to accept this award," Kelly said. "The NWTF has done, and continues to do a tremendous job of helping grow wild turkey populations and the number of turkey hunters nationwide. When I first started in this business, there were very few turkey hunters in the state. It's a delight to be part of an organization that has helped give me more hunters to communicate with, and I can't thank the NWTF enough."
In addition to "Tenth Legion" and his latest effort, "Absent Companions," a collection of essays about the people, places and things that have passed from his life, the "poet laureate of wild turkey literature" has penned numerous other books including:
"Dealer's Choice," 1979
"Better on a Rising Tide," 1995
"The Season," 1996
"The Boat," 1998
"A Year Outside," 2000
"Faces in the Crowd," 2002
"A Few Loose Chapters," 2003
"Take Back in Fancy," 2005
"A Hat Full of Rabbits," 2006
"A Fork in the Road," 2007
"Ol' Tom & Laura," 2008
Each year, the NWTF recognizes a communicator who answers the call to promote the NWTF's mission of wild turkey conservation and preservation of North America's hunting tradition.
Past NWTF Communicator of the Year Award recipients include: Tom Fegely (2002), Ron Schara (2003), J. Wayne Fears (2004), Grits Gresham (2005), Jim Zumbo (2006), Jim Casada (2007) and Glenn Sapir (2008).
http://www.nwtf.org/nwtf_newsroom/press_releases.php?id=12810
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Marengo Longbeards host first Jakes Day event for youth
By Jeremy D. Smith (Contact) | Demopolis Times
Published Tuesday, February 24, 2009
The Marengo County Longbeards Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation teamed with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to host its first Jakes Day last Saturday.
The event welcomed prospective turkey hunters aged 15 and under from around Marengo County.
“It’s worked very well,” MCLC chairman Brandon Smith said of the event. “We’ve gotten a lot of good remarks from some of the kids.”
The event, which also provided memberships in the chapter to each attendee, included archery and B.B. gun practice ranges.
“I like the B.B. gun because I could actually hit (the target),” 11-year-old Jacob Rodrigues said. “With the arrows, I was off.”
Jakes Day also educated the junior marksmen on various types of turkey calls, allowed them face time with Don and Jane Capps’ pet turkey “Cecil” and took them through a simulated turkey hunt.
“It’s pretty interesting how they let us go down there and showed us how to get up and how to be safe for any kind of hunting,” Rodrigues said of the outing, which took camo-clad Jakes into the woods to pursue the recorded sounds of a gobbler.
“They taught us to always aim down so we’ll be safe.”
Event attendees, especially the younger ones, also watched attentively as Don Capps displayed the process of mounting a wood duck.
“We’ll work a few kinks out,” Smith said, “but I think the kids had a good time and we’ll do it again next year.”
http://www.demopolistimes.com/news/2009/feb/24/marengo-longbeards-host-first-jakes-day-event-yout/
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Alabama Resident Earns Major Award
Bev Leigh, III, received the C.B. McLeod Award at the NWTF's Convention and Sport Show.
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Bev Leigh, III, received the C.B. McLeod Award at the NWTF's Convention and Sport Show.
Click image for print quality version
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Bev Leigh, III, of Tuscaloosa, Ala., received the C.B. McLeod Award during the National Wild Turkey Federation's National Convention and Sport Show in Nashville, Tenn., held at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center Feb. 19 to Feb. 22.
The C.B. McLeod Award is given each year to an NWTF volunteer who has dedicated his or her life to wildlife, conservation and our hunting heritage. It is given in honor of NWTF volunteer C.B. McLeod, a banker from Crestview, Fla., who was instrumental in keeping the NWTF moving forward during its formative years.
"Volunteering with the NWTF has been a pleasure and a labor of love and I am honored to be recognized for serving this great organization," Leigh said after accepting the award. "The NWTF has a strong following of enthusiastic volunteers in Alabama, and I hope my winning this award will inspire even more people to join us."
Leigh, an NWTF Diamond Life Member and long-time hunter, has an extensive history with the Federation.
He was the Charter President for the NWTF's Alabama State Chapter and still serves on the state chapter's board of directors. He also was a founding member of the Tuscaloosa Chapter, which has grown into one of the state's strongest NWTF chapters, and has served on the chapter's banquet committee for 23 years.
Leigh has been instrumental in the NWTF's fundraising efforts, having helped launch the NWTF Diamond Life Program in 2006 and co-host the NWTF's first Diamond Life Dinner. Since it's inception, the program has raised nearly $400,000 to help further the NWTF's mission of wildlife conservation and the preservation of the hunting tradition.
"Bev sets the standard for volunteerism," commented James Earl Kennamer, Ph.D., the NWTF's chief conservation officer. "He works tirelessly to promote every aspect of the NWTF's mission of conserving wildlife and our nation's resources and preserving the hunting tradition. His level of commitment is outstanding."
In addition to his fundraising successes, Leigh also promotes the need to change outdated game laws, guides the Alabama State Chapter board of directors to direct money toward managing wildlife habitat and purchasing lands for public use, and works to introduce new hunters into the NWTF flock and fund scholarships for young people interested in a wildlife-related career.
Leigh also served as the first volunteer coordinator for the Alabama Governor's One Shot Turkey Hunts, which help promote hunting and tourism within the state.
"Bev has made the NWTF part of his life's work and he continues to amaze all of us in Alabama with his commitment and energy," said Mike Colquett, president of the NWTF's Alabama State Chapter.
http://www.nwtf.org/nwtf_newsroom/press_releases.php?id=12811
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