NWTF membership?

[champion221elite]

Are there any National Wild Turkey Federation members out there in BBC land? I'm considering joining up with the NWTF, but I don't know much about the organization.

If anybody knows anything about them, please feel free to post your thoughts.

[BADAZZTRITON]

I used to sponsor Ducks Unlimited, NWTF, and many more but i will never give any of them another dime willingly. I know alot of hunting clothes and hunting items, supposedly donate money to these organizations with purchases of these items,but i cant help that. Your dues that you pay for "MEMBERSHIP" in ducks unlimited for example pay for the people of DU to purchase huge acreages of land and then they take your dues and hunt this land, provide food for the ducks, buy WATER CHURNERS to keep the waters from freezing, so they have no need to fly south along their normal migratory routes and last but not least, they take celebrities, politicians, etc to these properties that YOU WOULD NEVER BE ALLOWED TO STEP FOOT ON when they tape their tv programs and show you how awesome your dollars are working. As far as NWTF, i made a simple request many years ago when i was paying dues to start a stocking program on our 2200 acres of land and they started making every single excuse in the world "WHY IT COULDN"T BE DONE" because it costed this much to do this and that, and to trap them, and to pay the Wildlife Officers, and so on and so on, so take this story however you want it, but I WILL NEVER HAND THEM ANOTHER SINGLE PENNY OUT OF MY POCKET. I'm sure there will be alot of people come on here and praise these organizations and talk about how good they do, but i stated my opinion and they have the right to state their own as well !!!!


Modified by BADAZZTRITON at 8:00 PM 1/7/2010

[Capw]

Used to be a member. I just see it as another magazine subscription that I don't need.

[champion221elite]

Thanks for the insight guys

[Bassman25]

all those organizations mean well, unfortunately it really starts with the person involved, which is YOU. you can do more than the organization can and it doesnt cost you much. Dont shoot the young birds, do not shoot hens and so on. I am an NWTF member and committee member and that is still my stand. I just enjoy working with the banquets and the neat items they have. Have I seen any money put back into my area for the birds??????? NO! It all gets filtered through congress probably and then disappears. Its a shame but the banquets are fun

[BP in ME]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by BADAZZTRITON &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">As far as NWTF, i made a simple request many years ago when i was paying dues to start a stocking program on our 2200 acres of land and they started making every single excuse in the world "WHY IT COULDN"T BE DONE" because it costed this much to do this and that, and to trap them, and to pay the Wildlife Officers, and so on and so on, so take this story however you want it, but I WILL NEVER HAND THEM ANOTHER SINGLE PENNY OUT OF MY POCKET. </TD></TR></TABLE>

This part of your reply has me a little puzzled but I don't want to hijack the thread so maybe another time.....

The only time experience I've had with NWTF is when I've tried to contact them about habitat improvement and the JAKE program but got no response. But that could just be our local chapter so I don't condemn the whole organization based on that.

[hatcreek]

I'm a past president and committee member of our local NWTF chapter and my experiences with the organization have been mostly positive. That's not to say that I'm in lockstep with everything they do, but IMHO they do a pretty good job for the resource.

They've funded quite a few projects in this area dealing directly with habitat improvement, and provide two small scholarships to local high school students annually. I even talked them out of a two-yr sponsorship for a Dixie Youth baseball team that I coached a few years back.

On a national level, their JAKES, Wheelin' Sportsmen and Women in the Outdoors programs offer opportunities to a lot of folks who can sometimes be overlooked when it comes to enjoying the outdoors. And never forget that they are continually lobbying on behalf of the rights and concerns of all sportsmen, not just turkey hunters.

I guess my advice would be to check on any NWTF chapters that may be in your area. Go to a banquet or two to see if a committee is something that you may be interested in becoming involved with. Lord knows, they can always use the help.

If you join, it's not a big investment for a year's membership. If it's something you enjoy, stick with it. If not, you can always cancel.

[champion221elite]

Thanks again guys! Turkey hunting isn't very popular in my area, and most of the local farmers consider them a nuisance. They sure do taste good though... especially when deep fried

[Capw]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by champion221elite &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Thanks again guys! Turkey hunting isn't very popular in my area, and most of the local farmers consider them a nuisance. They sure do taste good though... especially when deep fried </TD></TR></TABLE>

You're one of the few interested in turkey hunting in your area and the farmers dont like them.....you got it made!!!

[champion221elite]

I just pulled half of my Fall bird out of the freezer. I have a leg, thigh and breast that have an appointment with hot oil tomorrow

[gv24]

Banquets are usually a good time.

[haleconst]

I have been a sponsor member of the NWTF for the last 5 years and will continue to do so. If I was concerned what the NWTF is doing with my money right around where I live, I would not give them one more cent either. You have to look at the big picture of what they do. 3 or 4 years ago our local chapter started a one day Jakes event the first year we had around 100 kids show up to it, last year it was one of the largest if not the largest in the U.S. with approx. 600 kids showing up. In my opinion the NWTF is doing great things with my money, all the politicians that we have now trying to do away with guns and hunting, the more kids that we can get involved means more voters in the future that will take a stand for our rights. The way I look at it is my money is going to the future of hunting not only the wild turkey but hunting in general, and the "RIGHT TO KEEP AND BEAR ARMS".

[jettdog68]

I have been a sponser for over 20 years, I have also chapter president. I do not agree with everything NWTF does, howeever what your membership does do is let it be known you are a member of the outdoors!! These organizations do more than you will ever know to keep out hunting heritage alive and well. Politicians KNOW people in these organizations tend to vote! NWTF has gone farther with the hunting heritage aspects than any of the other organizations. You may not like what certain organizations stand for(DU, NWTF, ROCKY MTN ELK FOUNDATION, QUAIL UNL, ETC) However if you dont support at least one you are a nobody to the politicians that have to ask themselves.." should I vote for this hunting fishing issue or against it"?
$25 is a cheap way to make your voice heard!!!!!!!

[champion221elite]

Great info, thanks guys!