Illinois NWTF Hunting Heritage State Super Fund Projects
Administered jointly by the NWTF, its state chapters and state wildlife agencies, the Hunting Heritage Super Fund is used for projects that support the conservation of the wild turkey and preservation of the hunting tradition. Nationally, NWTF chapters and cooperating partners have raised and spent more than $306 million for wild turkey conservation. Since 1985 over $3,119,349 has been raised and spent by Illinois chapters on projects within the state. A sampling of these projects is provided below.
Habitat Enhancement
Spent $912,526 on habitat improvement projects.
- maintenance and development of brood habitat
- wildlife openings
- prescribed fire
- tree planting
- riparian restoration
- water development projects
- control of invasive plant species
- support for seed subsidy and conservation seed programs
Habitat enhancement projects have impacted more than 81,239 acres within the state.
- 5,264 acres of wildlife openings
- 8,000 acres prescribed burning
Purchased equipment for habitat management including:
- 25 trailers
- equipment for prescribed burning
- 2 tillers
- 3 rotary mowers
- 14 herbicide sprayers
- 3 cultivators
- 3 root plows
- 4 seeders
- 7 spreaders
- 64 planters
- 2 broadcasters
- 2 tractors
- 27 grain drills
- 22 disks/harrows
Projects were completed on:
- Carlyle Lake WMA
- Cypress Pond SNA
- Ferne Clyffe State Park
- Jim Edgar Panther Creek SFWA
- Kaskaskia River WMA
- Mazonia FWA
- Pyramid State Park
- Ray Norbut FWA
- Redwing Slough/Deer Lake SNA
- Shawnee National Forest
- Silver Springs State Park
- Trail of Tears State Forest
Education
Spent $544,370 on educational programs and literature including scholarships, education boxes, 4-H and teacher workshops.
- Awarded 540 scholarships
- Donated more than 2,649 education boxes to area schools
Spent $115,998 on educational projects for volunteers and professionals including:
- Volunteer leadership workshops
- Wild Turkey Woodlands field days
- State web sites and newsletters
- Purchased 214 educational CD-ROMs
JAKES
Spent $210,972 to introduce youth to outdoor activities, conservation and hunting. Sponsored 404 JAKES Conservation Field Days throughout the state.
Hunting Heritage
Spent $223,088 to protect and promote the hunting tradition including contributions to the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance and the National Shooting Sports Foundation.
Hunter Safety
Spent $87,722 to support hunter safety classes and initiatives within the state. Purchased hunter safety materials and equipment, including interactive shooting systems.
Turkey Restoration
Spent $50,050 to trap and transfer turkeys within the state. Expenses include the purchase of trapping equipment such as nets, rockets and rocket charges.
Women’s Programs
Spent $69,960 on programs, materials and equipment to introduce women to the outdoors, hunting and conservation. Conducted 165 Women in the Outdoors events throughout the state.
Rewards
Spent $14,291 to protect wild turkeys and other wildlife through support of state sponsored reward programs, the printing of reward signs and reward payments.
Management
Spent $78,344 on wild turkey management.
- operation of wild turkey check stations
- hunter success and satisfaction surveys
- completion of wild turkey management plans
- support of law enforcement activities
Purchased equipment to support law enforcement and management activities including:
- ATV’s
- weight scales for check stations
- survey/surveillance cameras
- gates to limit vehicular access
Land Purchase
Spent $192,000 to purchase 1,997 acres of land or conservation easements to preserve wildlife habitat and provide additional hunting areas.
Research
Spent $6,162 on wild turkey research. Purchased equipment related to research such as radio telemetry equipment.
Wheelin’ Sportsmen
Spent $23,177 to provide opportunities for the disabled to participate in outdoor activities and learn about wildlife conservation. Conducted 9 Wheelin’ Sportsmen events.
Other
Spent $208,791 on other projects including organizational dues, travel expenses to professional meetings, special NWTF projects, and chapter rebates.
