NWTF's Wild Turkey Woodlands Program Helps Landowners Manage Land for Wildlife

The sight of a deer at the woods edge or a wild turkey scratching in an open field is a wonderful sight to any person who loves wildlife and the natural world. It is especially rewarding to landowners, who have managed their land to provide good habitat for these creatures. For individual and corporate landowners looking to continually improve the management of their land for wild turkeys and other wildlife, the National Wild Turkey Federation has a unique program called Wild Turkey Woodlands.

The Wild Turkey Woodlands Landowner and Hunt Club Programs offer a number of benefits such as professional advice on land management and discounted products through the NWTF's Project HELP, a program that provides seeds, seedlings and other products used in improving land and growing wildlife plantings. It is open to hunting clubs and both individual and corporate landowners with 10 acres or more.

"The majority of our nation's land is held by private landowners and involving them in wildlife management through the Wild Turkey Woodlands program allows a much larger amount of land to be improved and managed for wildlife," said the NWTF's Senior Vice President for Conservation Programs, Dr. James Earl Kennamer.

Enhancing wild turkey habitat on private land and involving private landowners in natural resource management are the primary goals of the Wild Turkey Woodlands. The program also promotes hunting as part of our national heritage.

Wild Turkey Woodlands Landowner program is an outreach and education program, offered free to private landowners, that recognizes the critical role they play in wildlife management. The program is divided into two membership levels - Associate membership and Certified membership.

Associate members are landowners who do not have a management plan completed for their property. They will receive a subscription to Hunt Club Digest magazine and are eligible to receive discounts on seeds and seedlings if they are an NWTF member.

Landowners that submit a copy of their land management plan become Certified Members of the program. Certified Members will receive a certificate and a colorful Wild Turkey Woodlands sign to post on their land.

The Wild Turkey Woodlands Landowner program can help the landowner obtain a free management plan through the Forest Stewardship Plan in participating states. These plans are developed by professional foresters and/or wildlife biologists.

The Wild Turkey Woodlands Hunting Club program is designed to work with hunting clubs that lease their land. This program has the same benefits as the Wild Turkey Woodlands Landowner program, plus all members of the hunting club will receive a free subscription to Hunt Club Digest and one member will receive a one years subscription to the NWTF's magazines, Turkey Call and The Caller. The cost is $25 annually per club.

To receive a membership application for the Wild Turkey Woodlands program, call 1-800-THE-NWTF or visit the Website at www.nwtf.org and download the printable application, then submit your application to the NWTF.