NORTH CAROLINA NWTF STRUT N PUTT

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NORTH CAROLINA NWTF STRUT N PUTT 2018 Volume 2 April 2018 July 2018 President s Message Greetings from the Roost, Once again, we are at the time of year when rising temperatures tend to turn our

In any case, I hope you will spend some quality time with family and friends this summer enjoying your favorite recreation.

1 NORTH CAROLINA NWTF STRUT N PUTT 2018 Volume 2 April 2018 July 2018 President s Message Greetings from the Roost, Once again, we are at the time of year when rising temperatures tend to turn our attention to summer vacations, weekends at the lake, feeling the sand between our toes, tubing a cool mountain stream or for some of us, maybe it's just a hammock under our favorite shade tree. In any case, I hope you will spend some quality time with family and friends this summer enjoying your favorite recreation. As the thrill and excitement of Spring turkey season wanes, like so many hunters, I catch myself from time to time, reflecting on yet another season, etched in memory. I trust you too have such memories to recall. These are blessings. From time to time, as opportunities arise, share these blessings with ones less fortunate. The NWTF mission is "the conservation of the wild turkey and the preservation of our Hunting Heritage." That heritage is under attack from every angle. And by the way, who is the NWTF? We, You and I, are the NWTF! Hunter numbers are rapidly declining globally. We as hunters are the only ones that can "fix" this problem. It is imperative we step up, and as the old adage goes, "take the bull by the horns." Are we doing a great job of getting our word out? Yes, we are... but we must become more aggressive in the R3 initiative (recruitment, retention, reactivation). We are doing a great job with our outreach programs, JAKES,WITO and Wheeling Sportsmen, but ultimately, we have got to put more hunters in the woods! How many people do you know or have contact with, on a daily basis, that are not hunters? How many of them know and understand what we as hunters really do? I implore you, please take every opportunity possible to make people aware whom true conservationists are. And, set a goal for yourself to introduce someone new to hunting, fishing or the shooting sports. If we, You and I, recruit one new hunter a year, our hunter numbers double each year, our only recourse. Do you know someone that used to be an avid hunter but has become inactive? lifestyles change, people relocate, we grow older and as we age we lose friends and family. Maybe all that person needs are a little inspiration or encouragement, someone to say, let's go! We all realize the importance of getting youth involved, as they are our future. It's important to plant that seed and nurture it. We are doing a great job with that through our JAK!;S program and mentoring efforts. If you have ever seen the expression on a youngster's face the first time they shot a bow or a BB gun, you know how touching that is. If you have ever witnessed a youth harvesting their first animal, you know how breathtaking it is. If you haven't been witness to such joy and elation, please volunteer to help your local chapter with an event. I promise you, by the end of the day, you will have received the most wonderful blessing. As the banquet season winds down, preliminary reports indicate another strong year. These results can only be attributed to the dedication and tireless efforts of our NC volunteers, members and staff. On behalf of the NCNWTF Board, please accept our most sincere appreciation. There are numerous outreach events scheduled across the state in the coming months. I encourage you to join us to see first hand the invaluable work being done in North Carolina to Save the Habitat. Save the Hunt. Love it, live it and pass it on! #TeamNCNWTFrocks! Yours in Conversation, Who to Contact Save the Hunt Coordinator Wynn Smith wynnsmith101@gmail.com Women in the Outdoors Coordinator Bonni Stephenson bbreece@ec.rr.com WOW Co Chairs East Terri Campbell terri.campbell1127@yahoo.com West JoEtta Holder coldmountainstrutters@gmail.com State and National Scholarship Coordinator Ted White ttwhite@nc.rr.com State Jakes Coordinator Bill Collart collartwj@suddenlink.net State Wheeling Sportsman Coordinator Perry Bryant pbryantjr@outlook.com Southeast Call Makers Competition Coordinator Ted White ttwhite@nc.rr.com Tarheel Open Calling Championship Coordinator Brent Phillips bphillips@billblackauto.com Conservation Seed Howard Rumfelt rumfeltk@gmail.com December Month of Prizes Bonni Stephenon bbreece@ec.rr.com

Conservation Projects Partnering with the Wildlife Resources Commission to Save the Habitat in Western NC North Carolina Super Fund dollars helped purchase heavy

Removing mountain laurel and rhododen dron from the mid story will help sunlight reach the ground, which promotes the growth of grasses and forbs in the forest

Putting Good Fire on the Landscape NC NWTF has provided funding to the Wildlife Resources Commission for the purchase of fire equipped UTVs to be used on game lands

From longleaf pine savannas to oak hickory woodlands, prescribed fire helps maintain open forest conditions that benefit native pollinators, deer and turkey

2 Conservation Projects Partnering with the Wildlife Resources Commission to Save the Habitat in Western NC North Carolina Super Fund dollars helped purchase heavy equipment for Commission managers, giving them the tools they need to enhance and restore forest habitat and maintain wildlife openings across Western North Carolina. This spring, biologists in the Northern Mountains used a forestry mulcher to remove mid story woody plants on the Thurmond Chatham Game Land in Wilkes County. Removing mountain laurel and rhododen dron from the mid story will help sunlight reach the ground, which promotes the growth of grasses and forbs in the forest understory. Our support will help WRC improve hundreds of acres of habitat each year. Putting Good Fire on the Landscape NC NWTF has provided funding to the Wildlife Resources Commission for the purchase of fire equipped UTVs to be used on game lands in the Southern Coast and Northern Piedmont. From longleaf pine savannas to oak hickory woodlands, prescribed fire helps maintain open forest conditions that benefit native pollinators, deer and turkey populations, and countless other songbirds, reptiles, and small mammals. WRC biologists use UTVs with water pumps to patrol the perimeters of controlled burns to make sure the fire stays in the areas they want, and to ensure the fire is out when they finish burning. This equipment helped burn over 500 acres on game lands in Brunswick and Bladen County last year alone. NC NWTF helped purchase a UTV for the Northern Piedmont last fall, which will help biologists manage burns on the thousands of acres of game lands they manage each year.

Gobbling Chronology Project Update The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) and NWTF are working together using acoustic recorders to identify patterns in gobbling activity throughout

They have two external microphones, are completely programmable, and are mounted on trees (picture below).

3 Gobbling Chronology Project Update The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) and NWTF are working together using acoustic recorders to identify patterns in gobbling activity throughout the state. Acoustic recorders are very similar to trail cameras, but they record sound files rather than taking pictures. They have two external microphones, are completely programmable, and are mounted on trees (picture below). Internal batteries keep them operational through the entire spring season from March through May. Ours are programed to record several hours every morning. At the end of the season, special software allows us to analyze the recordings and tally the number gobbles each day. Ultimately, information from this project will help ensure that our spring turkey hunting season opens and closes at the best time for hunter satisfaction and turkey reproduction. Preliminary work for the project began in the spring of 2016, with 51 recorders purchased and deployed in specific areas. In 2017 and 2018, the recorders were distributed across the state, with at least five recorders in each of our nine wildlife districts (map below). So far, we ve tallied more than 50,000 gobbles from 34,000 hours of recordings. We plan to use the recorders again in 2019, after which we will fully analyze all the information. A detailed report on this project is available at Turkey 2018 Sponsor State Sponsor Banquet Banquet General locations of acoustic recorders in 2017 and 2018 September 15, 2018 Ramada Convention Center 2703 Ramada Rd. Burlington, NC $60 Single $100 Couple Grand Prizes $4000 Bass Pro Gift Card for all NC NWTF Current Sponsors Members (do not have to be present to win on September 15, 2018) $1000 Bass Pro Gift Card for NC NWTF Sponsor Members that attend event on September 15, 2018 You must be a current Sponsor of the NWTF to attend for the Single Ticket Price. Each Sponsor is allowed one guest for the Couple Ticket Price. The registration link will be available soon at and on our Facebook page. You can also register by contacting Scott Martin at or smartin@nwtf.net to reserve your spot. This event is first come, first serve and we do expect it to sell out.

Chapter Event Spotlights New River Longbeards New River Longbeards held their first Women in the Outdoors event, Bows and Barrels on March 31.

According to most of the group, many had never heard a turkey before. After the woods, all were treated to a hearty breakfast prepared by committee members.

Beginners were able to learn about archery from some of the best instructors in the state and experienced shooters were able to perfect their skills with tips from a certified olympic instructor.

4 Chapter Event Spotlights New River Longbeards New River Longbeards held their first Women in the Outdoors event, Bows and Barrels on March 31. The event began with the ladies taking a short walk into the woods to hear the wildlife come alive, to include the king himself, Ol Tom. Thankfully, the birds were on fire! According to most of the group, many had never heard a turkey before. After the woods, all were treated to a hearty breakfast prepared by committee members. The chapter partnered with Onslow Archery who set up 3D Archery lanes through out wooded paths. Beginners were able to learn about archery from some of the best instructors in the state and experienced shooters were able to perfect their skills with tips from a certified olympic instructor. Other activities included shotgun patterning and skeet. Crystal Coast Callers On May 12, 2018, the Crystal Coast Callers held their annual Women in the Outdoors event Pistols and Pancakes for the sixth straight year at SureShot Gunsports in Havelock, NC. Ladies and volunteers ate a pancake brunch before engaging in a basic pistol class and heading out to the range for hands on learning. At the event ladies have the opportunity to try a variety of pistols and receive one on one instruction as needed and one lucky participant goes home with a new pistol! If your local chapter has events that you would like to see highlighted, please send the informa on to wynnsmith101@gmail.com

5 Chapter Event Spotlights Continued Pitt County Chapter The Pitt County Chapter held their Second Annual Pirate Classic Youth Hunt on April 7. With over 200 registrations, the volunteers checked in 46 birds. JAKES Members Have an Opportunity to Win a Kansas Dream Hunt

2016 Volunteer Program Annual Report

2016 Volunteer Program Annual Report The mission of the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife Volunteer Program is to actively involve citizens as volunteers in the protection and enhancement of Oregon s fish and wildlife resources for the