New York NWTF celebrates at national and state conventions

Even though snow is still on the ground and the wind continues to howl, New York turkey hunters are dreaming about and preparing for spring gobbler season.

Some New Yorkers prepared by attending the National Wild Turkey Federation's 28th annual Convention and Sport Show in Columbus, Ohio. They had an excellent showing at the convention with New Yorkers winning awards for turkey calling, working and decorative turkey call making, taxidermy, JAKES (Juniors Acquiring Knowledge, Ethics and Sportsmanship) events, and the Wild Turkey Woodlands National Award.

Others are gearing up for the NWTF New York state chapter's 30th annual Wild Turkey Convention in Owego, N.Y., March 12-14, 2004.

The convention begins with a welcome party on Friday night, but attendees also will be interested in the seminars and the calling contents starting Saturday. The calling contest registration begins at 10 a.m. with the contest at 12:15 p.m. The first seminar begins at 9:30 a.m. and the last seminar ends shortly after noon, giving participants time to attend the seminar of their choice and still watch the calling contest.

"We try to cover a variety of habitat and outreach programs at our convention," said Mike Joyner, N.Y. state chapter president. "The hunting seminar is very popular and should be a good one this year."

The seminars will cover the Wild Turkey Woodlands land management program, forest management, wildlife habitat, as well as the NWTF's JAKES and Women in the Outdoors outreach programs. The hunting seminar will be by Ernie Calandrelli of Quaker Boy Game Calls.

All events are free except for the Saturday night awards dinner, which costs $20 per person. For more information about the New York convention go online at www.turkey-talk.com/nys-nwtf/. Saturday's seminars are:

9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. - Introduction to Wild Turkey "Woodlands" land management program for private landowners by Larry Becker - Wild Turkey Woodlands program national winner and NYS Chapter Woodlands program coordinator.

10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. - "JAKES" Program & Poult Calling Contest with Jim Bradford - NYS Chapter JAKES coordinator & Scott Moore - NYS Chapter Scholarship coordinator.

10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. - "Forest Management & Wildlife Habitat " Gary Goff, MFO/Coverts Program Director

11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. - Outdoor TV personality, Quaker Boy Pro-Staff: Ernie Calandrelli!!

11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. - "Women In the Outdoors" by Pat Thompson, Regional WITO Director

For more information about the NWTF, its programs or its chapters, call 803-637-3106, or go online at www.nwtf.net.

The New York chapters and volunteers won these awards at the NWTF's 2004 Convention and Sport Show in Columbus, Ohio:

National Wild Turkey Woodlands Award
1st place - Larry Becker, Webster, NY

Best National Jakes Event Award (151-250 Participants)
1st place - Canisteo & Cohocton Chapters, Howard, NY

Wild Turkey Bourbon/NWTF Senior Division Grand National Calling Championships
1st place - Jim Pollard, Formerly From Corning (2003), NY,

NWTF Junior National Calling Championships
6th place - Harry Blodgett III, Corning, NY

Hunting Turkey Call Best of Show--Friction and striker calls
1st Place - Harry Blodgett, Corning, NY

Hunting Turkey Call - Slate and Striker
1st Place - Harry Blodgett, Corning, N.Y

Hunting Turkey Call - One-Sided Box
Honorable Mention-- Dick Kirby, Orchard Park, NY

Hunting Turkey Call - Wingbone, cane and other material
Honorable Mention-- Arnie Jonathan, Lockport, NY

Decorative Turkey Call Best of Show--Box Call
Best of Show 3rd Place - Kim Tipton, Niagara Falls, NY

Decorative Box Call - Laminated
1st & 2nd Place - Gary L. Campanie, Oneida, NY
Honorable Mention-- Kim Tipton, Niagara Falls, NY

Decorative Turkey Call Wingbone Yelper - Thread Wrapped only
1st Place - Arnie Jonathan, Lockport, NY
2nd Place - Kim Tipton, Niagara Falls, NY
3rd Place - Harold Perry, Delevan, NY

Decorative Turkey Call Wingbone Yelper - Painted or Carved
1st & 2nd Place- Harold Perry, Delevan, NY

Decorative Turkey Call Best Overall Presentation
Honorable Mention-- Harold Perry, Delevan, NY

Decorative Turkey Call Tube Call
2nd Place - Harold Perry, Delevan, NY
3rd Place - Arnie Jonathan, Lockport, NY

Decorative Turkey Call Scratch Box
Honorable Mention-- Gary L. Campanie, Oneida, NY

Decorative Turkey Call Terrapin Shell - Shell Made of Any Material
1st Place - Gary L. Campanie, Oneida, NY

Owl Hooter
1st Place - Kim Tipton, Niagara Falls, NY

Locator Call
Honorable Mention (2) - Gary L. Campanie, Oneida, NY

Taxidermy: White-tailed Deer / Masters / Best Open Mouth
1st Place - Fred Vanderburgh, Van Etten, NY

Taxidermy: White-tailed Deer / Masters / Best Closed Mouth
1st Place - Fred Vanderburgh, Van Etten, NY

Taxidermy: Wild Turkey / Masters / Best Group
1st Place - Greg Ielfield, Glenfield, NY

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