NWTF Pennsylvania still going strong after 30 years
Thirty years ago, a few dedicated turkey hunters gathered at State College, Pa., and formed the Keystone State’s first chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation to promote wild turkey hunting and management. At the time, wild turkey restoration efforts in Pennsylvania consisted primarily of releasing farm-raised birds into the wild. However, these birds lacked the survival instincts of wild birds and few survived.
“The Pennsylvania hunters were interested in more than hunter success,” said Rob Keck, NWTF CEO. “They wanted wild turkeys to thrive and expand across the state.”
The new NWTF chapter promoted the trap-and-transfer method of turkey restoration – capturing wild turkey with nets and moving them to other locations – that was successfully repopulating other states across the nation.
In 1976, the chapter’s efforts paid off when the Pennsylvania Game Commission and the NWTF partnered to relocate wild turkeys into areas with few or no turkeys. The partnership was a success as Pennsylvania’s wild turkey population stands at more than 400,000 birds today.
“The Pennsylvania chapter knew that the best way was to work with the PGC and not against them,” Keck said. “They helped by providing funds and labor to turkey restoration efforts.”
Today, Pennsylvania has 79 chapters representing 22,000 volunteers. In fact, Pennsylvania has the seventh largest membership base in the NWTF. The chapters routinely partner with state and federal agencies to enhance wildlife habitat and improve hunting opportunities in the Keystone State.
The NWTF Pennsylvania chapters’ support has never wavered. Since 1985, they have spent more than $3.5 million through the state’s Hunting Heritage Super Fund. The funds were spent on habitat enhancement, outreach, education, and hunter and firearm safety.
“Pennsylvania is a major asset to the NWTF,” said Carl Brown NWTF chief operations officer. “Few volunteers are as dedicated to conservation and the wild turkey as they are in Pennsylvania.”