Pretty enlightening stuff on there, worth a listen if you're interested in that type of stuff.
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For those that don't do podcasts my take away was that the NWTF has added 1.5 million new turkey hunters since 2012. They bring in over 50 million dollars a year. The habitat improvement numbers are highly overinflated. Their website does not show accurate numbers with several states showing the same amount of acreage improved and or reclaimed for turkey habitat. One example was Maine.. they show over 60,000 acre associated with NWTf and the actual number is 6 acres.
Someone tell Elon we have an idea for his next project. ;D
This is exactly why I scrutinize my giving very hard. I do give to the NWTF, but mostly when it's directly to a local chapter for projects. Like I am active in a local chapter's handicapped/wounded warrior hunt. I don't trust most big organizations, I am still sceptical of turkeys for Tomorrow too. Many start with noble ideas, but soon go down the money rabbit hole and become simply money makers for administrators.
Agree. Only difference is when the Govt takes 70K in taxes and wastes it its not the same. My membership for NWTF is 35 bucks and they give a 25$ Bass pro gift card. If they waste my 35 bucks on only 6 acres in Maine I can deal with that.
Better then nothing. They may be wasteful but at least they are doing something.
And as for bringing in new hunters it may be a PIA but without new hunters to carry the torch all may be gone some day. It's not the same as it used to be. Some kids are just not interested like we used to be.
I haven't trusted them for 20 years. I can take $50.00 and do more good locally than hand it off to some fellow to pocket $35.00 for him and his buddies and then brag about what he did with the other 15. I encourage everyone to plant some trees and help with their local habitat. That will do far more good than paying someone's else's salary.
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We have beaten the NWTF horse to death over the years here on OG. As one who was thoroughly entrenched in the NWTF for about three decades, I personally witnessed the changes in the organization that have led a lot of us that were supporters at one time to abandon it. I have gone into great detail in the past on this matter, so I won't do that again here.
Now, I have no problems with folks supporting NWTF if they choose to. They should just be aware that the mission of the organization has mainly changed from helping wild turkeys in the beginning to nowadays raising money to support the non-profit infrastructure they built.
Regardless, there is something to be said for having an organized sportsmen's voice in numbers that can influence policy decisions that impact us as turkey hunters. In that regard, they no doubt still can do much good. It is unfortunate, however, that the emphasis on actually helping wild turkeys...which is something we all can see needs more focus...seems to have fallen by the wayside to a great degree. It appears that they have become more of a social organization rather than a conservation organization...which is not necessarily a bad thing...it's just not what a bunch of us that left were supporting it for.
I am with Gobblenut on this, we started our own chapter years ago, turned out to be waaay more hassle than it was worth.
Particularly when they hired a new guy for the region, forget his title from them but he rolled in like he was running the world or something, cocky arrogant prick!
I cussed him out and walked! He tried treating a bunch of volunteers like employees!
The chapter ended a couple years after.
I agree GobbleNut, we have beaten this NWTF horse to death on this forum the last few years. I see no reason to continue down this rabbit hole on this forum about the NWTF and turning others away from this forum. Support who you want and spend your money the way you want in supporting whatever group you feel the need to do..
AS Shannon has said many times DRAMA FREE ...
This forum deserves a lot more from all of us ... Shannon and his wife have put a lot of time and hours into protecting this forum and members...
Quote from: Dtrkyman on February 22, 2025, 09:54:03 AMI am with Gobblenut on this, we started our own chapter years ago, turned out to be waaay more hassle than it was worth.
Particularly when they hired a new guy for the region, forget his title from them but he rolled in like he was running the world or something, cocky arrogant prick!
I cussed him out and walked! He tried treating a bunch of volunteers like employees!
The chapter ended a couple years after.
You must have had the same guy that was hired here about twenty years ago...and the results were the same. ::)
The entire NM chapter system fell apart due to one RD that they hired...and who fit your description perfectly! He got run off within a year, but the damage had already been done and things have never recovered as far as I can tell.
Quote from: Greg Massey on February 22, 2025, 09:55:57 AMI agree GobbleNut, we have beaten this NWTF horse to death on this forum the last few years. I see no reason to continue down this rabbit hole on this forum about the NWTF and turning others away from this forum. Support who you want and spend your money the way you want in supporting whatever group you feel the need to do..
AS Shannon has said many times DRAMA FREE ...
This forum deserves a lot more from all of us ... Shannon and his wife have put a lot of time and hours into protecting this forum and members...
Not everyone is as up to speed with the shenanigans. If someone not as knowledgeable as you go to the NWTF website they don't realize what they are reading is exaggerated and could actually be interpreted as deceiving. They may not contribute or at least put their money into more meaningful turkey habitat improvements elsewhere.
I'm a life member... Big whoop. I still will attend a banquet or donate a call but when their CEO and top paid salary people are making more money than a sitting US President there is a problem.