Dear Fellow Conservationists,

As an active National Wild Turkey Federation member, you understand our organization and the sacred relationship between wildlife, wild places and people. The last four months have changed all our lives and challenged us to re-evaluate our priorities and our passions. In short, COVID-19 has threatened lives, livelihoods and the NWTF.

To help sustain our mission, we have had to streamline our organization to better fit the financial reality of today. These measures were painful but helped us reduce expenses substantially. However, it is not enough; we still need your help to keep our mission, our operations and our field work alive. Replacing the lost revenue from shutting down our fundraising events this spring will ensure our beloved mission lives on for future generations. This is the reason we are issuing a rare Call for All to raise an additional $5 Million this summer.

Over the next few weeks, we are asking ALL members to consider an additional gift to the National Wild Turkey Federation. No contribution is too small. Participation from 100% of our membership, while a lofty goal, will reinforce the faith you have in the Federation and the collective commitment we have to our mission of preserving our hunting heritage and the conservation of the wild turkey. The funds raised will be key in jump-starting many of the important initiatives the national pandemic has sidelined.

The NWTF remains steadfast. But now, more than ever, we need the help of our members to keep our mission moving forward.

Please join me in giving to the NWTF in this time of great need. https://your.nwtf.org/call-for-all/

Yours in Conservation,

Becky Humphries

Bozeman, MT — A biologist with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) was attacked by a grizzly bear in the Centennial Valley Wednesday morning. The individual suffered serious bite wounds but is expected to recover fully.

The USFWS employee was working on a sage grouse monitoring project on Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge about a mile west of Elk Lake. The biologist heard a noise in the sagebrush and turned to see two grizzly bears in a close-encounter situation, approximately 80 to 100 yards away.

One bear stood up, and the other charged the biologist. The biologist deployed bear spray at the charging bear and throughout the attack until the attacking bear ran away with the other bear. Read more

SALT LAKE CITY — You are in the middle of a fishing trip to your favorite high country lake or a remote stream. You come around a corner and notice a large moose in the middle of the trail. What should you do? Here are a few things to know about moose in Utah and how to avoid conflicts with them:

Utah is home to between 2,500 and 3,000 moose. The largest animals in the deer family, moose can be found along the Wasatch Front and in northern and northeastern Utah, typically in forested areas. Moose generally eat aquatic vegetation during spring and summer, and then switch to a diet of bark and twigs in the winter.

Adult moose can weigh between 800 to 1,200 pounds, and bulls can stand 6 feet tall at the shoulder. Due to their large size, moose can be dangerous when they feel threatened. In some areas of the U.S., wildlife agencies report that more people are injured by moose than bears each year.

“In my years of working with wildlife, I have dealt with bears, rattlesnakes, cougars and moose, and the only species that I’ve had turn and come back at me was a moose,” Utah Division of Wildlife Resources Big Game Coordinator Covy Jones said. “People often underestimate how aggressive they can be.” Read more

GAINESVILLE, GA – USDA Forest Service officials remind residents, visitors and campers that fireworks are prohibited on Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests.

The possession or discharge of all types of fireworks and other pyrotechnic devices is prohibited on all national forest lands year-round, regardless of weather conditions or holidays. Regulations are enforced, and violation is punishable as a misdemeanor by a fine of not more than $5,000 or imprisonment of not more than six months, or both.

The National Wild Turkey Federation has been a conservation leader and hunter advocate for nearly 50 years. During this time, we have never experienced the level of financial concern as we face today.

Due to COVID-19 and the resulting halt of our fundraising events this spring, the NWTF has experienced a near catastrophic loss of revenue that has forced us to cut operational expenses to ensure the sustainable financial health of the organization. As a result, we have laid off over 50 staff. The loss of these dedicated, passionate individuals is extremely difficult for the Flock. They are friends, colleagues, mentors and members, and we will miss them greatly and pray for them.

We are reaching out to our volunteer chapters, partners and supporters to discuss our plans moving forward, including how their areas will be staffed. We hope to have most of these details sorted out soon.

Fundraising events are ramping up again, and we are now safely holding banquets and other events with fewer than 250 people, following all local, state and national guidelines to protect our guests, members and staff. In addition, we will continue online fundraising efforts, including a new capital funding campaign, Call for All.
We still have a steep hill to climb to recover from the effects of the pandemic, and we have a major goal ahead of us to raise at least $5 million by the end of August. Together, we can get there, but we need the help of our members, donors, friends and partners like never before.

We sincerely hope you will join with us and answer the Call for All by renewing your membership, attending an event or online fundraiser or making a donation today.

Sincerely,

Becky Humphries
NWTF CEO

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) is asking the public to be on the lookout for spotted lanternfly, an invasive insect with the potential to seriously affect Michigan’s agriculture and natural resources. This insect could damage or kill more than 70 varieties of crops and plants including grapes, apples, hops and hardwood trees. To date, spotted lanternfly has not been detected in Michigan.

First found in the United States in 2014 in southeastern Pennsylvania, spotted lanternfly has been spreading rapidly across the nation. Infestations have been confirmed in Delaware, Virginia, New Jersey, Maryland and West Virginia.

“Spotted lanternfly could negatively impact our grape industry,” said Robert Miller, invasive species prevention and response specialist for MDARD. “But it also has the potential to damage stone fruits, apples and other crops in Michigan’s fruit belt as well as important timber species statewide.”

Spotted lanternfly egg masses resemble old chewing gum, with a gray, waxy, putty-like coating. Hatched eggs appear as brownish, seed-like deposits. Spotted lanternfly nymphs are wingless, beetle-like and black with white spots, developing red patches as they mature. Adults are roughly 1 inch long. Their folded wings are gray to brown with black spots. Open wings reveal a yellow and black abdomen and bright red hind wings with black spots transitioning to black and white bands at the edge.

“Prevention and early detection are vital to limiting the spread of spotted lanternfly,” said Miller. “Spotted lanternfly cannot fly long distances, but they lay eggs on nearly any surface, including cars, trailers, firewood and outdoor furniture. Before leaving an area where a quarantine is present, check vehicles, firewood and outdoor equipment for unwanted hitchhikers.” Read more

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