I have to admit….I’m a joiner.  Not so much of an active participant, but at least a joiner.  I am a life member of the National Rifle Association (NRA) and the Federation of Fly Fishers (FFF). I am a longtime member of Trout Unlimited (TU) and Coastal Conservation Association (CCA). More recently I have joined Ducks Unlimited (DU) and Quality Deer Management Association (QDMA). My membership in these groups has helped me keep my fingers on the pulse of wildlife and environmental issues. I can respond politically better with good information. I trust that my membership dollars are constructively used. When possible I buy products either directly from the organizations or from retailers that support them directly. There is a lot of indirect benefit received by me from these groups. I would describe my self as a Conservationist, NOT an Environmentalist!

Gobbler in full strut

The organization that has BY FAR given me direct and meaningful benefit and help has been the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF). 

As described a bit in earlier posts, buying undeveloped property presented us with two dramatically different feelings: feelings of extreme excitement/anticipation, and feelings of being overwhelmed/unprepared. It was easy to let the latter blunt the former! We thought we had made a good decision. Did we? We thought the property had promise. Did it? Where to begin? We had lots of initiative and energy. Our thoughts were good. We needed direction. Enter the NWTF and their “Save the Habitat. Save the Hunt.” initiative.

This is a position I strongly believe in. Healthy wildlife populations require healthy ecosystems. It is the win-win proposition for which we were searching. Fortunately for us, the initiative provides direction and resources, not just philosophy. Jeanette and I met a very knowledgeable and energetic NWTF forester named Graham Hanson. He walked the land with us. He picked our brains about land related goals and aspirations. He shared his vast and varied real world expertise. The result: A thirty-eight page comprehensive forestry and wildlife management plan!

This was what we needed. Yes, a plan for tax purposes is great, but a plan that gave us direction, awesome. I will not bore you with details, but will share the table of contents to give some view of its comprehensive nature.

Table of Contents

• Forestry and Wildlife Management Objectives
• Property Description
• Stand Description & Management History
• Property Maps
• Forest Natural Resources Enhancement & Protection
• Stand Level Information
• Permits
• Best Management Practices
• Monitoring
• Schedule of Operations
• Signatures and Approvals
• Appendix

Since establishing a relationship with NWTF, we have made extensive use of their online resources, sowed their seed, and planted their trees. Our land management has taken a quantum leap. Consider joining if you are not already a member. It is not just about the turkeys!