Palm Beach Chapter of the NWTF

About the NWTF

The NWTF is a half million member grassroots, nonprofit organization with members in 50 states, Canada and 11 other foreign countries. It supports scientific wildlife management on public, private and corporate lands as well as wild turkey hunting as a traditional North American sport.

In 1973, the National Wild Turkey Federation was founded in Fredericksburg, Va., At that time, there were an estimated 1.3 million wild turkeys and 1.5 million turkey hunters. Shortly after its founding, the NWTF moved to Edgefield, S.C., where it is headquartered today.

Thanks to the work of federal, state and provincial wildlife agencies and the NWTF's many volunteers and partners, there are now over 6.5 million wild turkeys and approximately 2.6 million turkey hunters. Turkey hunting has become the fastest growing form of hunting and has the second-highest number of particants of any type of hunting.

Since 1985, more than $193 million NWTF and cooperator dollars have been spent on over 29,000 projects benefiting wild turkeys and other game and nongame species throughout North America. Hunters have also benefited as the NWTF has worked tirelessly to support our hunting heritage and protect and promote laws that increase hunting opportunity and safety.

Are You Proud to be a NWTF Member in Florida?

You should be!

Why?

A few facts about the NWTF Florida State Chapter:

1. In the last five years the Florida State Chapter has increased its cost share funding to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission from $50,000 in 1999 to over $200,000 in cash and over $500,000 when you
include volunteer help and inkind match in 2004- 2005. For detailed information please visit the "Chapter News" tab.

2. In addition to funding FWC projects the Florida State Chapter awards another $100,000 in grants for youth (Jakes Program), scholarship to students, educational boxes to schools, women (Women In The Outdoors
Program), handicapped (Wheelin' Sportsmen Program), and many other conservation
programs each year.

3. The Florida State Chapter was instrumental in getting the out of state turkey stamp raised from $5 to $100 generating an additional $198,000 in fund to support the turkey program in Florida.

4. There were 60 some NWTF chapters in 1999 and today we have over 80 NWTF chapters in Florida.

5. In the past six year we have completed three restoration programs in Florida releasing over 200 wild turkeys.

6. The first comprehensive statewide assessment of the Florida wild turkey population was completed in 2004, which will direct future restoration programs across the state.

7. In 2002 the Florida State Chapter was a major contributor to the passage of a Bill in the Legislature that protects the right to hunt in Florida forever.

8. The Florida State Chapter has implemented the largest "NWTF Energy for Wildlife" right-a-way project in the nation in partnership with Gulf Power, Eglin AFB, and Jackson Guard, by clearing and planting 14 miles of right-a-way that is open to public hunting. This project is valued at over $250,000 for habitat improvement.

9. In 2004 Lt. Gene Newman with FWC was named the NWTF National Law Enforcement Officer of the Year. Lt. Newman is not only from Florida but serves as a member of the NWTF Florida State Board of Directors.

10. Florida now has over 17,000 NWTF members and a gross fund raising
of over a million dollars.

11. The Florida State Chapter in order to help all the hurricane victims purchased 13 chain saws for local chapters to use in helping out each other in the clean up efforts. With three major hurricanes hitting Florida these chain saws will get lost of use.

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Florida Wild Turkey

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