Kansas Forest Service and Wild Turkey Woodlands Partner
Due to a growing number of requests for information to improve habitat for wild turkeys, three management agencies are partnering to better serve Kansas. The Kansas Forest Service, Kansas State University and the National Wild Turkey Federation have partnered to promote the NWTF's Wild Turkey Woodlands Program. The Kansas Forest Service and the NWTF's Wild Turkey Woodlands Program have a similar goal - helping landowners manage their forest and wildlife resources while following a stewardship ethic.
"In the Great Plains region, I'm seeing a growing number of requests for wild turkey information. Managing wild turkeys is a successful project landowners can experience because the wild turkey population is growing in the Great Plains," said Brandon Houck, NWTF regional biologist for the Great Plains region.
The Wild Turkey Woodlands Program is designed to recognize individual and corporate landowners who actively manage for wild turkeys and other wildlife on their property. The Program also promotes hunting as part of our North American heritage. The Wild Turkey Woodlands Program encourages landowners to have a written management plan for their property.
"One valuable role the Kansas Forest Service plays is developing forest stewardship plans for landowners. The Kansas Forest Service has the expertise and experience to create workable plans that will help landowners achieve their goals," said Houck. "One easy way to start the process of getting a Forest Stewardship Plan is to join the NWTF's Wild Turkey Woodlands Program. We will start the process for the landowner."
The Kansas Forest Service endorses the Wild Turkey Woodlands program and may include information regarding the program developed by the NWTF in management plans that have wildlife management as a primary or secondary objective. The Wild Turkey Woodlands Program information may also be included in Kansas Forest Service promotional and educational material when applicable.
"The Kansas Forest Service is the primary contact for landowners who are interested in managing their land for wildlife," said Houck. "It's important that landowners who have an interest in managing their land for wildlife have information on how to do it."
For more information about the NWTF's Wild Turkey Woodlands Program, call 1-800-THE-NWTF, or email NWTF Biologist Bryan Burhans, bburhans@nwtf.net.
