OUR MISSION
NEWS
“21 Gun Salute” a Great Success
An evening of fun, excellent Italian Cuisine, winning of guns and other products and visiting with Michael Waddell was had by all who attended the “21 Gun Salute”. Michael Waddell was a big hit with all and is a great ambassador for the NWTF. The banquet had a net profit to help meet our financial goals of over $28,000. Thank you to all who attended the event. Please watch for exciting news about this event for next year.
Don Chitwood, Regional Director
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NATIONAL WILD TURKEY FEDERATION
OKLAHOMA STATE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Presents 6th ANNUAL STATEWIDE GUN BASH
Saturday night, August 14, 2010, we will give away 50 firearms valued from $400 to over $2000 each. Only 200 tickets will be eligible for the drawing. A ticket is $250 and is considered a tax deductible contribution. Ticket includes Happy Hour, a wonderful dinner, and your chance to win a beautiful gun. No additional purchase required. For the first time in the history of this bash, because of our special program on this night featuring Dana Bowman, former member of the Golden Knights Parachute Team and eight of our Wounded Warrior Hunters from Fort Sill, we are making available a limited number of General Admission tickets at only $30 (these tickets are not eligible for the drawing or Happy Hour tickets). Come join us in honoring AMERICA'S HEROES at the Riverwind Casino, Show Place Theater, 1544 W. Hwy 9, Norman, OK 73072. For reservations clip the coupon below or call Gary Purdy, (405) 880-2267 and have your credit card ready.
Read More about the Oklahoma Wheelin' Gun Bash (pdf) Gun List (pdf)
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STATE CHAPTER NWTF
2010 Triple 50 Gun List
Starting July 1, 2010 thru Aug. 19, 2010
Triple 50 Gun List Printable pdf
To purchase Triple 50 Tickets. Contact Gary Garman 918-470-8279 or 918-426-9143.
Date Gun Winner # Name Location
JULY 1,10 SAVAGE STEVENS MODEL 200 270 WIN
JULY 2 MOSSBERG MODEL 835 12 /20 3.5” TH
JULY 3 RUGER 10/22 RB BIRCH ST
JULY 4 HENRY LEVER ACTION 30-30
JULY 5 MOSSBERG 500 BANTAM 410/24
JULY 6 TAURUS 85 2” 38 SS
JULY 7 MARLIN XL7 243 BLK/SYN
JULY 8 RUGER LCP 380 2.75/6RD
JULY 9 BROWNING BPS 3” STK 12/28
JULY 10 H&R HANDI 45-70 GVT
JULY 11 SAVAGE MODEL 93R17F 21” 17HMR RILFE
JULY 12 CVA ELITE COMBO 50/30
JULY 13 MOSSBERG SILVER RES SPT 12 GA.
JULY 14 TAURUS 4410 45/410 6.5”
JULY 15 HOWA 30-06 HOGUE 5RD
JULY 16 STEVENS MOD 200 25-06 GRY /SYN
JULY 17 REMINGTON 11-87 12/28 SPRTS SHOTGUN
JULY 18 S&W 637 2” 357 SS PISTOL
JULY 19 HENRY GOLDEN BOY 22LR
JULY 20 MOSSBERG 835 12/28 VR AC SHOTGUN
JULY 21 SPRINGFIELD XD 9MM 4” 16 RD BL PISTOL
JULY 22 REMINGTON 870 EXPRESS 12/28 RC SHOTGUN
JULY 23 MARLIN 336 CS 30-30 RIFLE
JULY 24 KAHR 45 ACP PISTOL
JULY 25 MOSSBERG 500 PERS 20” 8SH
JULY 26 STEVENS 200 223 CAMO RIFLE
JULY 27 TAURUS 605 2” 357 Blue PISTOL
JULY 28 RUGER HAWKEYE 22-250 SS RIFLE
JULY 29 REMINGTON 870 EXPRESS 12/23 FR SHOTGUN
JULY 30 SAVAGE STEVENS MOD 200 270 RIFLE
JULY 31 REMINGTON 887 SPS 12/28 3.5 SHOTGUN
AUGUST 1 TAURUS 85 2” 38 BLUE PISTOL
AUGUST 2 BERETTA NEOS 22LR R 6” PISTOL
AUGUST 3 MAVERICK 88 12/18.5 W/FULL SHOTGUN
AUGUST 4 RUGER HM77R 30.06 BL RILFE
AUGUST 5 MOSSBERG 835 12/20 3.5 “ SHOTGUN
AUGUST 6 S&W 642 2” 38 SS PISTOL
AUGUST 7 REMINGTON 870 EXPRESS 12/21 TH SHOTGUN
AUGUST 8 MARLIN XL7 243 BLK/SYN RILFE
AUGUST 9 MOSSBERG 500 12/28 VR AC SHOTGUN
AUGUST 10 WALTER 922/22 BLUE PISTOL
AUGUST 11 TAURUS 605 2” 357 SS PISTOL
AUGUST 12 MOSSBERG 510 20/18.5 BL/SY SHOTGUN
AUGUST 13 TST 12/26 FIELD HUNTER SHOTGUN
AUGUST 14 MOSSBERG 100 ATR 308 22” BL RILFE
AUGUST 15 REMINGTON 870 EXPRESS CMPCT 20 SHOTGUN
AUGUST 16 STEVENS MOD 200 22-250 CAMO RILFE
AUGUST 17 TRI STAR VIPER 12 GA BLACK SYN SHOTGUN
AUGUST 18 THOMPSON CENTER OMEGA-Z50 MUZZLE LOADER
AUGUST 19 MOSSBERG 535 12 GA. HD GREEN CAMO 3.5” SHOTGUN
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James and Carol Aldridge with Regional Director Don Chitwood presenting plaque for becoming Diamond Life Sponsors.
Terry Bourne and Sid Lewis of the Little Dixie Chapter in Durant receiving a plaque for Regional Director Don Chitwood for obtaining the best overall chapter in Oklahoma for 2009.
Mike and Becky Evans with Regional Director Don Chitwood presenting plaque for becoming Patron Life Sponsors.
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Randy Baughman
Randy Baughman, long time supporter and chapter leader, Burgess Creek Chapter of Okmulgee, scores big on a huge non-typical whitetail this year.
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Andrew Young - Youth Hunt
Andrew Young.
He killed this bird west of Talihina on 4/4/10. It was checked in at the Yanush check station.
It weighed 24 lbs., had two beards. The 1st was 9 1/2" long, the 2nd was 13" long. (We still have the beard). The spurs were 1 1/4" long.
Andrew is 16 years old, and has his lifetime hunting license. (Our family are all very avid hunters, including myself).
We will be adding Andrew as a member today.
Thanks so much
Sherry Young
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OVER $1,000,000!
Now that I have your attention, make plans to help us celebrate the exceeding $1 million dollars spent on projects in Oklahoma.
The celebration will be held in conjunction with our 2010 Chapter Recognition & Appreciation Dinner, January 16, 2010 at Firelake Grand Casino’s Event Center.
The Oklahoma State Board of Directors host this popular “turkey party” each year to recognize those chapters and individuals that have excelled in the prior year.
We will also be previewing the 2010 Package of Products. We will have games, silent auction, and live auction. The Board will also have more guns at this event than is normal and you could go home with a beautiful firearm.
Your ticket to fun is only $30 and can be purchased by contacting Gary Garman, Rt 7, Box 550, McAlester, OK 74501. Or call him at (918) 470-8279.
Come join us and help us celebrate passing a tremendous milestone.
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OKLAHOMA — The National Wild Turkey Federation's (NWTF) Oklahoma chapters have plans to spend $127,200 from the state Hunting Heritage Super Fund in outreach, education, conservation, increased public land access and more within Oklahoma in 2010.
The NWTF Super Fund is administered jointly by the NWTF, its state and provincial chapters and wildlife agencies.
Since 1985, National Wild Turkey Federation chapters in Oklahoma have raised and spent more than $932,568 on wildlife habitat enhancements, land purchases, education, outreach and more within the state. NWTF chapters and cooperating partners across North America have raised and spent more than $286 million upholding hunting traditions and conserving nearly 14 million acres of wildlife habitat since 1985.
"The Oklahoma State Chapter is dedicated to improving land access and wildlife habitat, and is backing up their commitment with the funds to make needed changes," said James Earl Kennamer, Ph.D., the NWTF's chief conservation officer. "By directing dollars to land access and wildlife habitat improvements, and strengthening outreach and education programs, the Oklahoma State Chapter is helping enhance habitat for all kinds of wildlife while making a better outdoor experience, not just for hunters — but for everyone."
Hunters are a key part of the state's economy, too. The Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation reports that Oklahoma hunters spend $492 million and 5.3 million days afield pursuing their sport each year.
The targeted projects approved by the Oklahoma State Chapter Super Fund Committee include $61,000 to uphold outdoor traditions through the NWTF's JAKES (Juniors Acquiring Knowledge, Ethics and Sportsmanship), Women in the Outdoors and Wheelin' Sportsmen NWTF outreach programs, educational programs, scholarship programs, the 4-H Shooting Sports Program, the National Archery in the Schools Program, the Oklahoma Youth Forestry Camp.
The NWTF's Oklahoma State Board of Directors dedicated $54,000 to accomplish the following projects in 2010, which will benefit Oklahoma's resident and non-resident sportsmen:
- $7,500 to help construct a pavilion that will be available for public use at the James Collins Wildlife Management Area in northern Pittsburg and Latimer counties.
Project partners: NWTF's Southeast Strutters Chapter and local businesses
- $6,645 to create wildlife openings in closed-canopy forest areas, which will promote native grass growth and provide food and brood-rearing habitat for wild turkeys on the Cherokee Wildlife Management Area in southwestern Cherokee County.
- $6,000 to remove large eastern red cedars to allow land managers to conduct more effective prescribed fires on the Blue River Public Fishing and Hunting Area in Johnston County.
- $6,000 to create wildlife openings to provide food and brood-rearing habitat for wild turkeys and other wildlife in closed-canopy forest areas on the Cookson Wildlife Management Area in southeastern Cherokee and southwestern Adair counties.
- $5,000 to create wildlife openings by restoring overgrown ponds and clearing ridge tops on the Spavinaw Wildlife Management Area in western Delaware and eastern Mayes counties. Completion of this project will provide water and early successional habitat for wild turkeys and other wildlife throughout this public land.
Project partners: NatureWorks, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF)
- $5,000 to construct fireguards, which are gaps in vegetation used to control prescribed burns, on the McCurtain County Wilderness Area.
Project partner: Additional funding from the U.S. Forest Service
- $5,000 to purchase aerial ignition supplies to conduct prescribed fires on the Pushmataha Wildlife Management Area in Pushmataha County. Land managers use prescribed fire to thin trees, allowing sunlight to reach the forest floor and promoting the growth of vegetation essential for wild turkeys, quail and other ground-nesting birds.
Project partner: RMEF
- $5,000 to control eastern red cedars around roost trees on public hunting land near Lake Ellsworth in Lawton, Okla. Removing eastern red cedars will help cottonwood trees, which are prime roosting sites for wild turkeys, survive, and also protect the trees during prescribed fires.
- $4,825 to help maintain fireguards and purchase a seed drill for use on the Lexington Wildlife Management Area in Cleveland County.
- $2,810 to purchase aerial ignition supplies for conducting prescribed fires at the Ouachita National Forest-Well Hollow Walk-in Turkey Hunting Area in LeFlore County. Prescribed fire will promote and maintain native grasses for wild turkeys and other wildlife.
- $1,200 to restore bottomland hardwood stands and maintain openings for wildlife at the Little River National Wildlife Refuge in McCurtain County.
Project partner: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
NWTF Volunteers' Conservation Efforts Honored in Oklahoma
http://www.nwtf.org/nwtf_newsroom/press_releases.php?id=12917
TULSA, Okla. — The National Wild Turkey Federation recently received the NatureWorks Wildlife Stewardship Award for 2009 for their work in promoting the conservation of wildlife resources in Oklahoma.
NatureWorks, a Tulsa, Oklahoma-based group also dedicated a monument in honor of the NWTF, which will be displayed at the Tulsa City-County Library in downtown Tulsa. The large bronze sculpture - named "Rio Grande Turkeys" and sculpted by artist Ron Lowery - depicts three wild turkeys moving together through tall grass.
"This unique piece of art will serve as a lasting tribute to the 7,000 members, volunteers and NWTF supporters in Oklahoma, who have invested many hours of tireless dedication to improving our state's wildlife and natural resources and moving forward with the NWTF's mission," said Gary Purdy, NWTF Oklahoma senior regional director.
Each year, NatureWorks donates a realistic bronze wildlife monument to the city of Tulsa in honor of an individual or group's voluntary accomplishments. "Rio Grande Turkeys" is the 19th statue donated to the city of Tulsa by NatureWorks, but only the third dedicated to an organization.
"NatureWorks is proud to honor the NWTF with this award and dedicate this work of art to Tulsa," said Lon Canada, who serves as a NatureWorks board of directors member and chairman of the stewardship committee, and is an avid turkey hunter. "In the NWTF, NatureWorks found a partner with the common objectives of promoting conservation and sponsoring educational programs in Oklahoma. Just as the NWTF's work will improve habitat for many future generations to enjoy, this sculpture will add character to Tulsa's landscape and honor the NWTF for years to come."
Several NWTF Oklahoma board members were present at the statue dedication ceremony including Mike Evans, president; Dan Duckwall, vice president; James Aldridge, treasurer; Gary Brooks and Russell Barber. Staff members Ross Huffman, regional biologist; Gary Purdy, regional director; and Don Chitwood, regional director; and national NWTF board of directors member Robert Higginbotham also attended.
Higginbotham was especially proud of a plaque on the side of the sculpture's base that says the sculpture was dedicated to the NWTF, "For providing leadership in Oklahoma for promoting conservation of the wild turkey and preservation of the hunting tradition."
"Receiving this award and having a monument dedicated to the NWTF is a huge step toward inspiring future generations of conservationists and forwarding the NWTF's mission," said Higginbotham. "Thanks to NatureWorks, the half million people — including many children — that visit this location each year can see this work of art and know that the NWTF's mission is to conserve wild turkeys and preserve hunting traditions. This whole experience has been a tremendous honor."
NWTF's Oklahoma State Chapter Announces 2009 Funding
NWTF’s Oklahoma State Chapter Announces 2009 Funding
To view the entire article including details on each project, read more
Courtesy of the National Wild Turkey Federation:
* The National Wild Turkey Federation’s Oklahoma chapters have budgeted $138,950 from the state Hunting Heritage Super Fund to invest in outreach, education, conservation, increased public land access and more within Oklahoma in 2009.
* The Oklahoma State Chapter Super Fund Committee approved spending $61,000 to uphold outdoor traditions through the NWTF’s outreach programs, educational programs, scholarships for youth and more.
* The Oklahoma State Chapter also allocated more than $32,000 to an existing land acquisition fund to expand public opportunities statewide through the More Places to Hunt program.
* In addition, the Oklahoma State Board dedicated $45,950 to complete 10 wildlife habitat projects throughout the state in 2009.
* Since 1985, National Wild Turkey Federation chapters in Oklahoma have raised and spent more than $835,000 on wildlife habitat enhancements, land purchases, education, outreach and more within the state.
* NWTF chapters and cooperating partners across North America have raised and spent more than $279 million upholding hunting traditions and conserving more than 13.9 million acres of wildlife habitat since 1985.
For more information about the NWTF Oklahoma State Chapter’s projects in 2009, contact Shannon Coggin at (803) 637-3106 or scoggin@nwtf.net.
Using Prescribed Burns to Impove Wildlife Habitat
It is getting close to spring and hunters and landowners are asking what they can do to improve their property for turkeys and other wildlife. There are lots of options, but one of the most cost effective is using prescribed fire. When people hear about fire the first thing that comes to mind is what Smokey the Bear taught us. Fire can be very dangerous when out of control, but a prescribed burn is different.
Prescribed Burns
So, what is a prescribed burn? A prescribed burn uses fire as a management tool for land stewardship. It is conducted under specific predetermined conditions to achieve specific goals. During a prescribed burn you light the fire during specific temperature, humidity, wind speed, and fuel moisture conditions to maximize the desired benefits. You also take additional precautions like having fire breaks, suppression equipment, and enough trained people on site to make sure only areas you want to burn do burn.
What are some of the objectives of a prescribed burn?
* Increase production of desired grasses, forbs and woody plants
* Improve the function of a watershed resulting in increased water quantity and quality
* Reduction and management of woody species, cacti and invasive plants
* Improve forage and browse quality and/or palatability
* Increase availability of desirable forage and browse plants
* Provide better grazing distribution of livestock
* Improve animal performance and achieve control of certain parasites and pests
* Enhance nutrient cycling
* Removal of accumulated vegetation and reduction in fuel loads
A burn plan needs to be developed based on your objectives so it is important to work with a trained professional to learn how to develop a burn plan.
That brings up the next question. What is a burn plan and who can help me develop one? A burn plan outlines all the steps and conditions needed to achieve your objectives. It will have requirements for preparation before you begin a burn. A burn plan will also have the specific weather requirements needed for a safe and effective burn. It will also contain information on how to do the burn like where to have your black lines and where to ignite your main fire. There are several agencies and organizations that offer both financial and technical assistance with prescribed burns. The Oklahoma Forestry Services the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service can provide technical and financial assistance. If you want assistance conducting the burn or training you can work with any of the above agencies as well as Oklahoma State University and the Oklahoma Prescribed Fire Council which has a list of the prescribed burn associations in the state. A prescribed burn association is a cooperative of landowners that share knowledge, experience and equipment to conduct prescribed burns.
If you are interested in improving your property for wildlife you can contact any of the above agencies and organizations. For more information on the benefits of spring prescribed burns for wild turkeys read the NWTF press release or call NWTF regional biologist Ross Huffman at (806) 367-5711 or by email at
rhuffman-nwtf@suddenlink.net
By using the Wild Turkey Records search function, you can compare toms by size, beard length, spur length, state, subspecies or by the hunter’s name. Since the NWTF started keeping records in 1982, more than 12,000 birds have been registered. To get your name on this list, click here to find out how.
E = EASTERN
RG = RG
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