TacomaNWTF.org

Wild Turkey Super Fund Banquets are the means by which the National Wild Turkey Federation and its volunteers raise money for the wild turkey.

NWTF banquets provide a fun environment to boost membership and to raise money for the wild turkey. Money is raised through ticket sales, silent auctions, live auctions and a variety of high-energy prize raffles. Money raised during a banquet goes into the Wild Turkey Super Fund, which is used throughout the United States, Mexico and parts of Canada to enhance wild turkey habitat and to supplement state and provincial agency efforts in restoring wild turkey populations in their states. Now, the NWTF has 2,050 chapters across North America working for the wild turkey.

Anyone wanting to have a good time in the name of conservation is invited to attend a Wild Turkey Super Fund banquet.

Another way to support a Super Fund Banquet is through product donation. Individuals and business can donate products for the live auction, silent auction, raffle items and even a facility to hold the banquets.

And with the NWTF being a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation, donated items may be tax deductible.

Washington NWTF Wild Turkey State Super Fund Projects

Administered jointly by the NWTF, its state chapters and state wildlife agencies, the Wild Turkey Super Fund is used for projects that support the conservation of the wild turkey and preservation of the hunting tradition. Nationally, NWTF chapters and cooperating partners have raised and spent over $175 million dollars for wild turkey conservation. Since 1985 over $420,576 has been raised and spent by Washington chapters on projects within the state. More than $38,074 has been spent in 2003 alone. A sampling of these projects is provided below.

Habitat Enhancement· Spent $33,180 on habitat improvement projects.

        · maintenance and development of brood habitat
        · wildlife openings
        · prescribed fire
        · tree planting
        · riparian restoration
        · water development projects
        · control of invasive plant species
        · support for seed subsidy and conservation seed programs
        · Habitat enhancement projects have impacted more than 3,956 acres within the state.
        · 168 acres of wildlife openings

Purchased equipment for habitat management including:

        · 3 trailers
        · 3 planters
        · 1 disk/harrow

Projects were completed on:

        · Eagle Rock
        · McDonald Mountain
        · Sneed Mountain
        · Tacoma Creek

Education

        · Spent $15,658 on educational programs and literature including scholarships, education boxes, 4-H and teacher workshops.
        · Awarded 9 scholarships.
        · In 2003, 6 scholarships totaling $3,500 were awarded to graduating high school seniors that have an interest in hunting.
        · Donated more than 65 education boxes to area schools.
        · Spent $1,447 on educational projects for volunteers and professionals including:
         · volunteer leadership workshops
         · Wild Turkey Woodlands field days
         · state web sites and newsletters
         · Purchased 6 educational CD-ROMs.

JAKES

        · Spent $16,205 to introduce youth to outdoor activities, conservation and hunting.
        · Sponsored 24 JAKES Conservation Field Days throughout the state.

Hunting Heritage

· Spent $6,136 to protect and promote the hunting tradition including contributions to the U.S. Sportsman’s Alliance and the National Shooting Sports Foundation.

Hunter Safety

        · Spent $3,000 to support hunter safety classes and initiatives within the state.
        · Purchased hunter safety materials and equipment, including interactive shooting systems.

Turkey Restoration

        · Spent $75,126 to trap and transfer turkeys within the state.
        · Expenses include the purchase of trapping equipment such as nets, rockets and rocket charges.
        · Spent $208,905 to reimburse other states for expenses related to the trap and transfer of 834 donated turkeys.

Women’s Programs

        · Spent $4,400 on programs, materials and equipment to introduce women to the outdoors, hunting and conservation.
        · Conducted 12 Women in the Outdoors events throughout the state.

Rewards

        · Spent $835 to protect wild turkeys and other wildlife through support of state sponsored reward programs, the printing of reward signs and reward payments.

Management

        · Spent $892 on wild turkey management.
        · operation of wild turkey check stations
        · hunter success and satisfaction surveys
        · completion of wild turkey management plans
        · support of law enforcement activities
        · Purchased equipment to support law enforcement and management activities including:
                · ATV’s