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Wheelin’ Sportsman Gun Bash

The Southeast Strutters Chapter is hosting a gun bash on November 12^th at the McAlester Country Club in McAlester, OK beginning at 6:00 pm.. We will be giving away 30 guns provided 175 tickets are sold or 9 guns for each 50 tickets sold. The price of tickets are $100 for single and $120 for a couple. If you are not attending the price is $85 per ticket. All entries will remain in the drawing until that number is drawn and then that number will no longer be eligible to win. There will be heavy hors d’oeurvres served along with the kind of drink to your preference. There will also be a very nice pistol at the event for an opportunity to win along with a few silent auction items. DO NOT HAVE TO BE PRESENT TO WIN!!! Contact Gary Garman 918-470-8279; Gary Brooks 918-421-0800 or Thomas or Angela Grippando 918-470-7320 for tickets or information.

Gun List (pdf)

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News Release

For Immediate Release
For more information, contact Gene Miller, NWTF Regional Biologist at 806/655-9416.

Learn How to Manage Landscapes for Wildlife at a Wild Turkey Woodlands Field Day in Sapulpa, Oklahoma

(Sapulpa, Oklahoma) - Ask any wildlife biologist what it takes to keep wildlife healthy, happy and close to home, and they'll tell you it's all about having quality habitat.

Learn how to improve wildlife habitat on your property by attending the National Wild Turkey Federation's Wild Turkey Woodlands Field Day on Saturday, January 29th in Sapulpa, Oklahoma at the Creek County Fairgrounds located on Historic Route 66.

During the workshop, landowners and managers will spend time with experts learning how to manage Cross Timbers landscapes (woodlands and prairies) for wildlife, and what state/federal agency habitat programs are available in northeastern Oklahoma.

Attendees will be hosted by Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation biologists, Oklahoma Forestry Services foresters, and Oklahoma State University researchers on a morning field trip to the Keystone Wildlife Management Area west of Sapulpa and an afternoon field trip to the Okmulgee Wildlife Management Area near Okmulgee.

The cost of the workshop is $15 for adults and $10 for youth 14 years and under (pre-registration) and $20 at the door, which includes a meal, resource packet, and transportation to field sites. The program runs from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and participation is limited to the first 200 people registered. Pre-registration deadline is Monday, January 24th and is strongly encouraged.

The NWTF is a national nonprofit conservation organization that was founded in 1973 and has worked with wildlife agencies to restore wild turkey populations from 1.3 million wild turkeys to nearly 7 million today. Now, NWTF's volunteers raise funds and work daily to improve critical wildlife habitat, increase access to public hunting land and introduce new people to the outdoors and hunting. Together, the NWTF's partners, sponsors and grassroots members have raised and spent more than $331 million preserving our hunting heritage and conserving nearly 15.9 million acres of wildlife habitat.

To learn more about the workshop, call Gene T. Miller, NWTF Regional Biologist at 806/655-9416. For information about the NWTF, visit www.nwtf.org or call (800) THE-NWTF.

Directions to the Wild Turkey Woodlands Field Day:
From Exit 211 (Sapulpa-Kellyville) on the Turner Turnpike (I-44), go east on Highway 33 to the intersection of Highway 66, turn south on Highway 66, then turn east into Creek County Fairgrounds (Wild Turkey Woodlands signs will be on the gate).

Wild Turkey Woodlands Field Day Local Supporters and Partners
Central Tech of Drumright, Oklahoma
Danny Beck Chevrolet of Sapulpa, Oklahoma
HEVI-SHOT Ammunition of Sweet Home, Oregon
Farmers Feed Store of Sapulpa, Oklahoma
Steak & Eggs Restaurant of Sapulpa, Oklahoma
Adam McKinzie

Sponsors
Oklahoma State Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation
Creek County Fair Board
Time Lines Bus Charters of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation
Oklahoma Department of Agriculture - Division of Forestry Services
OSU Natural Resource Ecology & Management
OSU Cooperative Extension
Cross Timbers RC&D Association
USDA-NRCS
Oaks & Prairies Joint Venture

Host
3 Rivers Limbhangers Chapter at Sapulpa, Oklahoma

About the NWTF: The National Wild Turkey Federation is a nonprofit conservation organization that works daily to further its mission of conserving the wild turkey and preserving our hunting heritage.

Through dynamic partnerships with state, federal and provincial wildlife agencies, the NWTF and its members have helped restore wild turkey populations across the country, spending more than $331 million to conserve 15.9 million acres of habitat for all types of wildlife.

The NWTF works to increase interest in the outdoors by bringing new hunters and conservationists into the fold through outdoor education events and its outreach programs – Women in the Outdoors, Wheelin' Sportsmen, JAKES and Xtreme JAKES.

The NWTF was founded in 1973 and is headquartered in Edgefield, S.C. According to many state and federal agencies, the restoration of the wild turkey is arguably the greatest conservation success story in North America's wildlife history. To learn more, visit www.nwtf.org or call (800) THE-NWTF.

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NWTF Oklahoma to Invest $156,000 in Projects in 2011

EDGEFIELD, S.C. — The National Wild Turkey Federation's Oklahoma State Chapter has budgeted $156,693 from the state Hunting Heritage Super Fund to invest in outreach, education, conservation and more within Oklahoma in 2011.

The NWTF Super Fund is administered jointly by the NWTF, its state and provincial chapters and wildlife agencies, and supports conservation and education programs.

Since 1985, National Wild Turkey Federation chapters in Oklahoma have raised and spent more than $1,062,403 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 $331 million upholding hunting traditions and conserving nearly 15.9 million acres of wildlife habitat.

"The Oklahoma State Chapter is dedicated to conserving wild turkeys and preserving our hunting heritage, 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 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 important to 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 $62,300 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, assisting the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC) with habitat acquisition, and more.

The NWTF's Oklahoma State Board of Directors dedicated an additional $31,780 to accomplish the following Hunting Heritage Super Fund projects in 2011, which will benefit Oklahoma's resident and non-resident sportsmen:

• $6,400 to help purchase a new, 12-foot offset disc that will be used to maintain wildlife openings and fireguards needed during prescribed fires on the Wister Wildlife Management Area in LeFlore County
  Project partner: ODWC

• $5,750 to help enable the use of prescribed burning by aerial ignition for maintaining early successional habitat on the Glover Block, a prime wild turkey and deer hunting area on the Ouachita National Forest in McCurtain County
  Project partner: USDA Forest Service

• $4,940 to promote natural wildlife openings in closed-canopy forest areas and provide native grasses, food, and brood-rearing habitat for wild turkeys on this area on the McCurtain County Wilderness Area on Ouachita National Forest
  Project partner: ODWC and USDA Forest Service

• $4,500 to help maintain fireguards needed during prescribed fires along 30 miles of line and 20 miles of roads on the Lexington Wildlife Management Area in Cleveland County
  Project partner: ODWC

• $4,000 to help purchase a new, 7-foot offset disc for maintenance of wildlife openings and fireguards for prescribed burning to increase native plant diversity for the benefit of wildlife on the Okmulgee, Deep Fork, and Heyburn wildlife management areas in Okmulgee County
  Project partner: ODWC

• $4,000 to continue using prescribed burns as a habitat management tool by aerial ignition on the Pushmataha Wildlife Management Area. This will promote natural wildlife openings in closed-canopy forest areas to provide native grasses, food, and brood-rearing habitat for wild turkeys on this area in Pushmataha County.
  Project partner: ODWC and Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation

• $2,190 to create wildlife openings that will provide food and brood-rearing habitat for wild turkeys and other wildlife in closed-canopy forest areas on this prime area on the Well Hollow Walk-In Turkey Hunting Area in the Ouachita National Forest
  Project partner: USDA Forest Service

NWTF Oklahoma State Chapter allocated an additional $62,613 to other NWTF projects.

Founded in 1973, the NWTF is a national nonprofit conservation organization that works to further its twofold mission of conserving wild turkeys and preserving our hunting heritage.

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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."

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