09/06/2005
Michigan Resident Wins Gun for Zuni Feather Project Donation
TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. - David Johns of Traverse City, Mich., donated more than 2,000 wild turkey feathers to the National Wild Turkey Federation's Zuni Feather Project, winning a Browning BPS 12-gauge shotgun for his donations.
"I get a turkey every year, and I have enough of them mounted," said Johns. "I don't need any more feathers, and I thought the Zuni Feather Project was a great way for the feathers to be put to good use. I plan to continue donating my feathers to this project."
The Zuni Indians of New Mexico use wild turkey feathers for ceremonial clothing and prayer sticks. Turkey hunters have a unique opportunity through the Zuni Feather Project to donate their feathers to help meet the needs of the Zunis. Each wild turkey has 5,000 - 6,000 feathers, and a majority of them can be salvaged for Zuni use.
"The NWTF started the gun drawing for Zuni Feather Project donors to increase feather donations," said Jennifer Tapley, NWTF wildlife biologist and Zuni Feather Project coordinator. "The program began in 2000, and we've collected 1.4 million feathers. When people donate their feathers, they are entered in an annual drawing for a gun."
To learn more about the Zuni Feather Project or to donate wild turkey feathers, visit www.nwtf.org/conservation/zuni_feather_project.html, contact Tapley via e-mail at jtapley@nwtf.net or call (800) THE-NWTF.
