I have considered joining the NWTF and want some opinions. Do yall see real value in being a member? All such organizations make claims of helping conservation, but some talk more than contribute and funds end up in pockets instead of fields. So if you are a member or have been why are you now, and if you left why did you leave it. Thanks.
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Go to the convention in Nashville and get your membership there. If it's like past years you will get a bass pro shops gift card that is almost the same value and bass pro is right down the street so you can go use it afterwards and buy some turkey stuff or whatever.
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:popcorn:
The basspro card does make it tempting because I'll spend more then $25 there anyway so the membership essentially will only be $10.
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Join brother, they are an active orginization. The grass roots things they do are amazing. I can speak locally about what I've seen n been involved in. we've done disabled vet n youth hunts.
The Jakes days are unreal Id never miss one. Also deer hunts for the same even helped the hunters sight in or pattern guns. They've managed land by planting large areas w seed beneficial to turkeys and other wildlife.
I'm sure they didnt pick a part of rural NJ as a showcase area so they must be doing it everywhere. NWTF and Ducks Unlimited are two of the best orginizations imo. They both do a lot to support the sport.
Get in touch with your local or state chapter, you'd be amazed at the things they do
Ok I'm in just submitted my app. Thanks yall.
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They were responsible for establishing a huntable population in Delaware. I can now hunt in my home state, whereas 20 years ago, there were no turkeys. Can't beat that.
Quote from: dejake on January 10, 2016, 05:47:33 AM
They were responsible for establishing a huntable population in Delaware. I can now hunt in my home state, whereas 20 years ago, there were no turkeys. Can't beat that.
That's the kind of info I was hoping to hear. I'm in middle TN but still think that's awesome!
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Here is a news release of recent report of the NWTF by America's largest charity evaluator.
http://www.nwtf.org/about/state-news/nwtf-good-stewards-of-contributions
I think you made a good decision in joining, but you could also get involved at your local level.
Quote from: dejake on January 10, 2016, 05:47:33 AM
They were responsible for establishing a huntable population in Delaware. I can now hunt in my home state, whereas 20 years ago, there were no turkeys. Can't beat that.
They were involved in the 80s in NJ too
I've been a member about 35 years. I've watched the organization grow and its influence grow as well. The NWTF represents its membership in both state and national government and helps to keep hunting, shooting and the way of life we all enjoy at the forefront of attention of legislators. It also forms partnerships with other like minded hunting and conservations organizations to increase its influence and give us a strong and united voice.
The partnerships it's made with the business world is also very important. Without the support of businesses and the donations they have made, so much of what has been accomplished would not be possible.
It's already been mentioned but programs like Wheelin' Sportsmen, Women in the Outdoors and JAKES have provided and continue to provide conservation, hunting and shooting opportunities for many who might not otherwise have them.
The new Palmetto Shooting Complex in Edgefield is pretty amazing. I'd encourage anyone to visit it, learn more about it and see what the future holds there.
Lastly, none of the above could have been accomplished without the wonderful members who serve as volunteers for so many of the activities that take place each year. I have never regretted one hour of work or one dollar I've donated or spent at any NWTF activity.
We need everyone who has an interest in shooting, hunting or conservation to consider joining this organization.
Thanks,
Clark
Awesome. I'm happy I went ahead and joined.
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NWTF is as good as you make it. Become a volunteer and I'm sure you're local chapter will welcome another committee member. I know ours would.
Yes, they have help with many turkey projects in Tenn, and have help supported TWRA with much needed equipment.
For the most part it is a very good organization. As with any nonprofit group, there are always politics and other influences for which you may not agree with a portion of the activities. At the corporate level they do a lot of habitat work which benefits us all and provides for future generations. In my neck of the woods the local chapters do a lot of work with youth and fundraising that has nothing to do with turkey hunting, such as food shelf donations. Consider joining a committee if you really want to get involved and meet like-minded people. I've made some great friends from the committee.
I've been a member of several conservation organizations. If I could only stay with 1, it would be the NWTF. They represent hunters and work hard to maintain our hunting heritage. They work on public lands to improve habitat. It is a great organization. I've been a part of 2 local chapter committees over the last 3 years (moved 2 years ago), and have thoroughly enjoyed being able to contribute to what the NWTF does.
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Turkey Call is a good read. I maintain my membership, I just really wish the NWTF would do something to lobby the TWRA to address the declining turkey population in my area and also wish some habitat work could be done on local public lands but it doesn't happen.
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I'm staying out of this one.
Quote from: guesswho on January 19, 2016, 01:34:16 PM
I'm staying out of this one.
come on! I have had this pop corn ready since this thread started. :popcorn:
Quote from: guesswho on January 19, 2016, 01:34:16 PM
I'm staying out of this one.
Why post that you are "staying out of this one"? That clearly isn't staying out. I'm assuming you have some issues with NWTF then. I would actually be curious to hear them. I haven't heard many issues expressed towards them, and they do a lot of good work in my state.
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Quote from: guesswho on January 19, 2016, 01:34:16 PM
I'm staying out of this one.
I started this post for honest opinions either way. If you have a negative opinion please share. Being as no one has had a negative review yet an argument from the opposing side would be welcome.
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There was a good topic on this in 2014.
http://oldgobbler.com/Forum/index.php/topic,42548.0.html
Quote from: southern_leo on January 19, 2016, 03:24:58 PM
Quote from: guesswho on January 19, 2016, 01:34:16 PM
I'm staying out of this one.
I started this post for honest opinions either way. If you have a negative opinion please share. Being as no one haQuote from: smalls on January 19, 2016, 02:01:27 PM
Quote from: guesswho on January 19, 2016, 01:34:16 PM
I'm staying out of this one.
Why post that you are "staying out of this one"? That clearly isn't staying out. I'm assuming you have some issues with NWTF then. I would actually be curious to hear them. I haven't heard many issues expressed towards them, and they do a lot of good work in my state.
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s had a negative review yet an argument from the opposing side would be welcome.
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Maybe I should have said I'm keeping my opinion to my self. This topic has been discussed many times and I used to be pretty vocal as to why it am not a member and why I have no immediate plans on becoming one. I give them credit where credit is do, they are great at marketing, taking credit for things they had very little if anything to do with such as the relocation of turkeys, taking advantage of its volunteers etc.
Quote from: Gobble! on January 19, 2016, 01:48:49 PM
Quote from: guesswho on January 19, 2016, 01:34:16 PM
I'm staying out of this one.
come on! I have had this pop corn ready since this thread started. :popcorn:
:TooFunny:
Quote from: Gobble! on January 19, 2016, 03:36:08 PM
There was a good topic on this in 2014.
http://oldgobbler.com/Forum/index.php/topic,42548.0.html
Thanks. That will give some of the other views. I know a couple die hard N"WTF" supporters in that thread who have since seen through the smoke and mirrors and have parted ways with the organization.
I was super excited when I first joined, started a chapter in chicagoland area and I volunteered and participated in as much as my time allowed. Sold raffle tickets, did the banquet, attended other banquets, Nashville etc. It was a good experience while it lasted but then things were starting to cost me out of my own pocket and I could not afford that so I left. If you think its a good organization than join and decide for yourself, they do offer some really fun things to do, my favorite was the Jake days.
Quote from: Gobble! on January 19, 2016, 03:36:08 PM
There was a good topic on this in 2014.
http://oldgobbler.com/Forum/index.php/topic,42548.0.html
Lots of good opinions in this thread. Should take the time to look it over
Hey Leo. I noticed you were from middle Tennessee. If you live near Winchester and the weather ain't too bad, we are having our annual banquet Friday night at Monterey Station in Cowan. Great food and fun, with lots of giveaways.
I'm from Lexington,TN and have went to the Jackson ,TN banquet a bunch of times because my best friends uncles were members and worked it. The one in my hometown is a joke cause it seems the only people that ever win a gun or anything nice at it are the big shots in the city and my friends uncles quit thier's because the main ones over it seemed like they didn't care about anything but money. The volunteers would give all day or more of their time and wouldn't even get a thank you. I believe it used to be a good organization but don't know anymore. I am a member though cause I love the wild turkey and if it helps them then it helps me hunt them.
I kind of look at it this way...Between the NRA and the NWTF ,I'll join the NWTF. They can fight for hunting and guns while I can read a little turkey hunting info in Turkey Country.
Quote from: fallhnt on January 20, 2016, 08:07:32 AM
I kind of look at it this way...Between the NRA and the NWTF ,I'll join the NWTF. They can fight for hunting and guns while I can read a little turkey hunting info in Turkey Country.
From the looks of some past threads on here, there are those that would disagree with you.
I believe someone once said "if the NWTF disappeared tomorrow, no one would know the difference."
The opposite was said for the NRA. I think both serve their purpose. The NWTF has had to reinvent itself. Sure, they do some things that seem unnecessary. That nice, big shooting center seems like one of these. But overall, I think the "Save the Habitat. Save the Hunt." campaign is an important one for the future of hunting. We are seeing declines across the Southeastern US in turkey populations because of habitat loss, fragmentation, etc. We are also seeing declines in hunter numbers. At the same time, hunting is under attack by the anti-hunting groups, more so than ever I feel. Social media does us no favors in that department, because it allows those types to attack our heritage from behind computer screens, relentlessly.
We need organizations like the NWTF who are upfront in their support of hunting. Some may say we don't need an organization to fight for our hunting heritage. I disagree. Several voices united under one banner is stronger than several individual voices. That is my opinion anyway. Some will disagree, but I think for that reason alone, the NWTF is important to hunters. That's not even considering the habitat work they do.
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I have been a member for a long number of years. True they are all about raising money. So is NRA, Ducks, RMEF and so on. They all depend on banquets and volunteers to do that. So you work hard and all your money disappears. Nature of the beast in fund raising. I recently saw a stat that said they put $0.89 per dollar back into projects and stuff. Not too shabby. BUT for me it is all about your local chapter and how your state works. Here in WV the NWTF has been VERY active in supporting the acquisition of more public lands. That is a good thing for sportsmen and not just for turkeys. They back sportsman issues and get involved at a legislative level as well thru lobbying and attending committee meeting, etc. They have been "putting their money where there mouth is" in other words. What this really means, IMO, is the quality of the PEOPLE involved! Without good people it is just raising money. And the most important thing, for me, is the quality of your local chapter. That is where the rubber meets the road because you are doing things with your neighbors for your community. For example. We host fishing days for the kids, any kids! No membership required. We recently helped host a Wounded Warrior hunt. Deer hunting. Hosted a women's events. We contribute hams and turkeys seasonally to churches and civic organizations who prepare meals for less fortunate. Provide some small scholarships at a state and local level. None of that is really about turkeys and all about the local community. So stuff like that makes it worth it for me to be a continuing working member. So check it out, ask questions and try to join a chapter that suits YOUR goals and priorities! Make YOUR work and efforts count!
Quote from: turkeywhisperer935 on January 20, 2016, 07:36:45 AM
I'm from Lexington,TN and have went to the Jackson ,TN banquet a bunch of times because my best friends uncles were members and worked it. The one in my hometown is a joke cause it seems the only people that ever win a gun or anything nice at it are the big shots in the city and my friends uncles quit thier's because the main ones over it seemed like they didn't care about anything but money. The volunteers would give all day or more of their time and wouldn't even get a thank you. I believe it used to be a good organization but don't know anymore. I am a member though cause I love the wild turkey and if it helps them then it helps me hunt them.
Grecian has some great food!
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Quote from: TN Beard Buster on January 19, 2016, 11:31:11 PM
Hey Leo. I noticed you were from middle Tennessee. If you live near Winchester and the weather ain't too bad, we are having our annual banquet Friday night at Monterey Station in Cowan. Great food and fun, with lots of giveaways.
I'm just outside Murfreesboro, but I work Friday night. Thanks for the invite. I considered checking out the Stone River chapter sometime. I went ahead and joined because I plan to attend the convention anyway and will spend more than $25 at basspro. So between the free gift card and getting in the convention I'll save money. But I did want to join a worth while organization at the same time. I'm happy I did it. Now I'm hoping to get involved and really see what the NWTF does behind the scenes. I'm hoping it's something I'll proudly continue supporting since I love hunting so much.
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Hope this thread is helping others too I just saw with 30 post it's over 800 views!
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Quote from: turkeywhisperer935 on January 20, 2016, 07:36:45 AM
I'm from Lexington,TN and have went to the Jackson ,TN banquet a bunch of times because my best friends uncles were members and worked it. The one in my hometown is a joke cause it seems the only people that ever win a gun or anything nice at it are the big shots in the city and my friends uncles quit thier's because the main ones over it seemed like they didn't care about anything but money. The volunteers would give all day or more of their time and wouldn't even get a thank you. I believe it used to be a good organization but don't know anymore. I am a member though cause I love the wild turkey and if it helps them then it helps me hunt them.
I'm not saying you're not telling the truth but the big city money guys prob buy more chances to win at a fund raising event.
I've never seen anything but good, Whenever people are involved you can get bad, report it. The orginazation is fantastic and a big reason lots of us are hunting the big birds instead of simply reading about another far off hunt.
Support your local chapter, get involved, grow the young kids in the sport by going to Jakes days n such.
NRA protects 2nd amendment, provides shooter services, and protect hunting heritage. Also, the NRA banquets don't require you to become NRA member to attend unlike DU, QU, and NWTF
Something I've seen in other threads here that I have been curious about is the common response to why someone does not support the NWTF. This response is typically along the lines of the NWTF claiming sole responsibility the restoration of the wild turkey.
I've done as much reading as I can on the subject, and my OPINION is this. When the NWTF was founded back in 1973, it's mission was to protect and restore turkey habitat and to educate hunterd. This is according to an article in the 40th Anniversary edition of Turkey Country back in 2013. As time progressed, the NWTF would donate money to the states to support turkey relocations.
I believe the first instance of this was the NWTF supporting a Texas company's efforts to bring turkeys back to east Texas when they had no wildlife to offer as trade to another state. The NWTF backed a plan that would essentially have TPWD buy the birds, but in a way that would not violate the Lacey Act.
That was the first of many endeavors by the NWTF as part of what they called Target 2000. Yes, they did do a lot with the boxes that I see people mention often, but, at least in my opinion, the NWTF isn't claiming that they are responsible for the restoration of the wild turkey. They did contribute to this though, through habitat work, education, research, and funding of these projects.
Now, if some individual people with NWTF are making those claims, it would not surprise me. I even think some of the statements made in places contribute to that idea that they are claiming responsibility. So I can definitely see where it comes from.
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Yes Grecian does ok, Scott's BBQ is where it's at though.