Dear Friends and Fellow NWTF Members,

I have just returned from representing the NY State Chapter at our National Convention in Nashville, Tennessee. What an experience that was, From the beauty of the Opryland Hotel, to the overwhelming amount of people attending the Convention and exhibit hall, plus listening to speeches from Will Primos and Wayne Lapierre, to attending the very moving Veterans Breakfast honoring our Veterans for their service. It is something that I would encourage everyone to try to experience.

While I was there I attended a lot of meetings about our new initiative called Save the Habitat Save the Hunt. You will hear more about this Initiative which will focus our efforts in the years to come. Given that our turkey population is at 20 year low and we are losing hunters faster than we can recruit them, this could not come at a better time, I am very excited about this Initiative as it will have state specific goals determined by the volunteers in our state to focus our efforts on.

Also while I was there I had the pleasure to meet Larry and Brenda Potterfield of Midway USA and to thank them personally for their generous donations to New York State of the JAKES Take Aim Trailer and the Versa-Max Shotguns we raffled off to fund Youth shooting programs across the state.

I would like to encourage you to take advantage of our spring seed subsidy program, this year we have two seed blends and crabapple seedlings with the State Chapter paying 50% of the cost to help improve the habitat in your area. this is one of the benefits of being a member of the NWTF.I would also encourage you to attend your local Banquet and to get involved with your local chapter to help preserve this sport we love so much.

Good luck this season and safe hunting,

Bill Wilbur

President, NY State Chapter NWTF