HUNTERS: - National Wild Turkey Federation

PrESIDENT & CEO LETTEr
As we prepare to celebrate our 40 th anniversary, we
have a clear view of our past, present and future.
There is one common thread running through each
of them — our mission.
Our message of conservation and hunting heritage
rings just as clearly today as it did in the early days of our
organization. In 1973 the clarion call was to re-establish
wild turkeys across North America. We came together
like no other conservation organization in history to
restore the wild turkey.
We had turkeys flying out of boxes from Washington
to Florida, Maine to New Mexico. Along with our
partners at state, federal and provincial agencies, we
saw the need, and we met the challenge head on. These
majestic birds went from a mere 30,000 in the early
1900s to 7 million strong today.
We led the way then, as we have throughout our
39 years.
Last year was no different. Thanks to the tremendous
efforts of our dedicated volunteers, staff and
partners, we had many successes in 2012 that advanced
our mission.
The NWTF conserved and enhanced more than a
quarter million acres of essential upland wildlife habitat,
bringing our total to 17.3 million acres since 1985.
That’s almost the size of South Carolina.
In addition to our many ongoing projects, we
added two agreements with the Natural Resources
Conservation Service that will allow the NWTF to
improve critical habitat on private land in 16 states,
which will help wild turkeys and many other game
and nongame species.
The NWTF awarded $660,000 in endowments to
33 high school and collegiate shooting organizations
across the nation through the Scholastic Shooting
Trust, a foundation created by MidwayUSA founders
Brenda and Larry Potterfield.
The Families Afield program helped reverse a
decade-long decline in hunting participation. The U.S.
Fish & Wildlife Service’s 2011 National Survey of Fishing,
Hunting and Wildlife Recreation study showed a
9 percent increase in hunting participation from 12.5
million hunters in 2006 to 13.7 million in 2011. The
NWTF founded the Families Afield program along
with the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance and National Shooting
Sports Foundation.
We introduced more than 100,000 people to the
outdoors through our outreach programs — JAKES,
JAKES Take Aim, Xtreme JAKES, Women in the
Outdoors and Wheelin’ Sportsmen.
We established the NWTF Foundation, which will
generate endowments that will ensure our funding for
years to come.
Our support for the sound, science-based manage-
ment of wildlife was in
line with the U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service’s
announcement that
the Wyoming population
of gray wolves
will be managed by
the state under an
approved management
plan, just as they are in
Idaho and Montana.
The NWTF supports
our state wildlife
partners in their efforts
to properly manage
wildlife resources.
While 2012 was
an outstanding year
for wildlife conservation
and our hunting
heritage, we can’t rest
on our laurels. As our
future opens before us,
we face a number of challenges.
GEOrGE ThOrNTON
CEO
SAm mArS III
President
Wild turkey numbers are diminishing in some states,
mostly because of a loss of essential habitat. This loss
must be reversed through proper management of our
fields and forests, which will increase each acre’s carrying
capacity for turkeys and other wildlife.
We’re also losing 6,000 acres of critical wildlife habitat
every single day to urban development. That’s 2.2
million acres a year, an area the size of Yellowstone National
Park. We must make every remaining acre count
toward top-notch habitat for wild turkeys, deer, quail
and other game and nongame animals we treasure.
And finally, hunters and our hunting rights are under
attack from anti-hunting groups and some segments of
the media. If we don’t stand our ground today, there is
no hope for the future of hunting and conservation.
Our mission is no less urgent today than it was in
1973. In fact, it may be more important because what
we do in the next 40 years will be instrumental in not
only enhancing wild turkey populations, but in the
continuation of hunting and quality wildlife habitat for
countless species.
The NWTF’s ready for the challenge today, just as
we were in 1973. The NWTF will be a leader for the
next 40 years, standing as one team with one mission.
George C. Thornton Sam Mars III
NWTF CEO NWTF President
Hunters: CHAMPIONS OF CONSERVATION | 2 | 2012 NWTF ANNUAL REPORT
MeMbersHip
With 1,836 chapters, the NWTF
provides a place for people from
all walks of life to get involved in
conservation. Today, the NWTF
has members in 50 states, Canada,
Mexico and 14 other countries.
People with a passion for wildlife
and the outdoors can join the
NWTF by choosing from several
categories including:
NWTF Annual Membership: $35
NWTF Sponsor Membership
$250
NWTF Life Memberships
• Silver Life
$5,000 – $9,999
• Diamond Life
$10,000 – $24,999
• Patron Life
$25,000 – $49,999
• Guardian Life
$50,000 – $99,999
• Centurion Life $100,000+
JAKES/Xtreme JAKES
Membership: $10
JAKES (Juniors Acquiring
Knowledge, Ethics and
Sportsmanship) educates and
involves youth under age 12 in
wildlife conservation and the wise
stewardship of our natural resources.
Xtreme JAKES is for teens ages
13 to 17.
Women in the Outdoors
Membership: $35
The Women in the Outdoors
program helps women enjoy the
outdoors and learn the importance
of wildlife management and the
role hunters play in conservation.
Wheelin’ Sportsmen NWTF
Membership: $35
Wheelin’ Sportsmen NWTF
provides people with disabilities
opportunities to enjoy hunting,
fishing, target shooting and more
through events held across North
America.