Oklahoma National Wild Turkey Federation

This program, just now finishing up its second full year in Oklahoma, is the fastest growing youth program to come along in many, many years.

At the end of the first year there were approximately 1000 kids participating in our state.

Currently there are 70 schools involved with more than 7500 kids enjoying the program.

In just 2 years 130 teachers have completed the eight-hour training course given by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation to become archery instructors.

Just what is this program? Designed to be offered only through schools, this program is closely tied to physical education. Children are taught archery history, safety, techniques, equipment, mental concentration and self-improvement. Competition is involved shooting Olympic-style target archery.

Why is this program so wildly successful? It gives students who may not be gifted athletes the opportunity to excel in competition. It builds self-esteem in students. Allows students to participate in an exciting and safe activity.

The National Wild Turkey Federation, using money you helped generate, has contributed in excess of $400,000 to this program.

In Oklahoma, your State Board of Directors has supported this program with many checks being presented to various schools around the state.

The most recent school to benefit by the money you raise is the Greenville Public Schools near Ardmore. Through the Red River Limbhangers Chapter of Marietta/Ardmore request, we funded assistance with the building of a facility especially for teaching under this program.


By supporting this program the NWTF is fulfilling the second half of our mission statement-the preservation of our hunting heritage. How do I know that? One of the archery dealers in a county that is especially strong in Archery in the Schools told me his archery equipment sales to youngsters has seen steady increase with some of the kids deciding they wanted to try hunting with a bow. Through this ODWC program new hunters are being introduced to the outdoor sports you and I enjoy so much and as we all know the future of hunting is in the hands of those we bring into the sport.

Thank you for your support, which enables us to contribute to such worthwhile programs.

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