NWTF

[lmbhngr]

Specifics...OK. There banquet prizes are a bunch of junk, the guns I've seen raffled aren't top of the line like they used to be, ticket prices are the same if not more and the convention gets more political every year.

[ccleroy]

Smalls, not sure where you live in the state, but just a little info for you in the state of Louisiana, Louisian has ranked in the top 3 for fundraising with the NWTF for the last 5 years at least, I am one of 18 members on the Louisiana State Chapter of the NWTF Board of Directors, first i will say "Do I agree with everything the NWTF does?" NO, "Do I agree with everything that most conservation groups do?" NO, "Am I thankful for the NWTF in helping to preserve turkeys and work for our hunting rights" YES, Do you know that just in the state of Louisiana in 2013 that the NWTF spent over $248,000 all over the state, no, it was not all spent on food plots on National Forests or WMA's, we are partnered up with many different groups with a wide diversity of projects going on all the time, a portion of the banquet money that you spend comes back to the state where it is dispersed into many things, for instance, and I can go on & on, Archery in the Schools Scholarships for high school students, funding JAKES, WITO, Wheelin Sprotsmen events throughout the state giving people the opportunity to hunt or get involved in the outdoors that might not otherwise get the chance, Educational boxes for 4-H & libraries, als supporting 4-H shooting sports, providing spring & fall seeds at discount rates, oh, and we have ongoing projuects in many WMA's all over the state, and also on the National Forests, does making openings for turkeys reap other benefits, YES, as a public land hunter you can hunt over these openings for deer, we have several research studies going on that will be a great help in deciding how we go ahead in the future in helping out with our turkey population, the money for use in your area is there, somebody just has to ask for it, if you have something specific you want or need in your area, pm me or send me an email to jed.rhodes@centurylink.com, i will see what I can do to help, sorry for the long post, but I will say that a lot of people do not fully know what all is going on and part of that is our problem by not publicizing ourselves more, but we are trying, this is not just for smalls, this is for anyone in any state, your NWTF State Board of Directors should be representing you, the VOLUNTEER member, and YES, this is a NON-PAID position, so all the gas & time I spend is mine, YES, I am dedicated, and YES, I AM A TURKEY HUNTER, it is my PASSION

sorry for the long opost, just trying to get some info out there for everyone

And 248k seems like a lot to you when you consider the amount of money the nwtf raised in your state?

Maybe our perspectives differ but that seems like change when you consider how much the NWTF likely raised from membership fees, donations and banquet revenue....

The NWTF has lost its connection with the hardcore turkey hunter and abused its relationships with the volunteers who helped elevate the organization to the status it maintains today.

It also takes far more credit for the reintroduction and success of the wild turkey than it deserves.  It is now just another "non-profit" corporation that once was an organization of people focused on doing the most for the wild turkey.

Well said Kyle, well said brother.

[hwy419]

I really had no idea about these dynamics. I am a very passive member. Sure, I have been to a few banquets, and send in my membership fees every year. That's about the extent of my involvement and what I read here not only surprises me, it's rather disappointing. Thanks for the thread.

[guesswho]

It also takes far more credit for the reintroduction and success of the wild turkey than it deserves. 

Most of you know my position on the N"WTF", so I won't get into that.  The above statement was the beginning of my dislike for you know who, and then it just snowballed from there.   They are photo opportunist to say the least!  Nothing more than Smoke and Mirrors.   

I'm mostly talking about Edgefield.  There are a lot of good people all over the country that are sincere in their efforts.   But the folks in SC abuse the vehicle they were given the keys to.

[29810434]

MONEY,Give us all you can.Thats what they stand for now.

[Fatbeard]

Is this still a organization or does it just stand for Now What The F*** ?I haven't got a magazine from them for some time.

If you joined on line you should have gotten a mag fairly quick. Some months are combined so that could add a few months. If you joined at a banquet depending on when they turn it in plays a big part

[mountman62]

Thanks for all the comments, negative or positive, you do what you want to, and I will do what i want to, as long as I want to, but if you notice, i said that i do not agree with all that the NWTF does, I don't agree with all the government does either, but i vote every time i can, the same can be said for most conservation groups, not everyone agrees with everything, think that is what makes the world go around, but I can say that the NWTF in most states are trying to make an impact, not just on having turkeys to hunt, but giving opportunities where they have not been before

Now i remember why I haven't spent much time on here lately

[captin_hook]

I'll continue to send in my small membership contribution and attend the convention. Maybe they have taken a turn for the worse, but I am very appreciative of the steps they have taken to put the populations where they are today. It's hard to imagine that the wild turkey would be doing so well without the NWTF. So view it as a 'past due' contribution I suppose. . . .

^^^^^^^^ same goes for me. There was a time not long ago, that here in Pa you couldn't find a wild turkey anywhere. Without the nwtf it would still be like that. I can't complain about them. I get my magazine every few months, and get to hunt with plenty of turkeys in the woods. I don't expect anything more than that.

[bawana]

Been a member for over 20 years, will be one until I'm 6 ft under! Like others have said they are not perfect, have made mistakes and have had growing pains. I know what we have accomplished here in Ohio and I'm proud of it!

[WildSpur]

I have been a member for about 3 years and will continue to be. 

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk