02/29/2008
North Carolina Volunteer Receives High Honors from NWTF
 Harry Wilfong recently received the NWTF's Roger M. Latham Sportsman Wild Turkey Service Award for his contributions to the NWTF's conservation legacy. Click image for print quality version |
ATLANTA — Harry Wilfong of Hickory, N.C., recently received the National Wild Turkey Federation's Roger M. Latham Sportsman Wild Turkey Service Award for his contributions to the NWTF's conservation legacy.
Each year, the conservation organization recognizes the conservation efforts of its best volunteers with the Latham Service Awards during its annual Convention and Sport Show, which took place Feb. 21 to Feb. 24 in Atlanta.
"Our volunteers are the best in the world, but some stand out from the rest," said Rob Keck, NWTF CEO. "This year's winners go out of their way to promote conservation, the wild turkey and our hunting heritage."
The Latham Service Awards are given to NWTF members who are not employed as professional wildlife managers, but have made significant contributions to wild turkey conservation.
"The most important thing about getting involved with the NWTF is keeping hunting traditions alive for future hunters," Wilfong said after accepting the award. "My 10-year-old grandson has already harvested a turkey, and I'm very proud. The work I've done to help improve wild turkey populations and preserve the future of our hunting heritage will live on even after I'm gone."
An avid hunter since childhood, and a Life Member of the NWTF, Wilfong helped form, and later became president of, the NWTF North Carolina State Chapter. He also has introduced countless youth, women and disabled hunters to the outdoors as an instructor during NWTF outreach events, and served as president of the NWTF Blue Ridge local chapter in North Carolina. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of the North Carolina Wildlife Federation and continues his work with the NWTF to benefit wildlife and preserve the hunting tradition.
"Recipients of the Roger Latham Service award are some of our most dedicated volunteers," Keck said. "They know that hunters were the first, and best, conservationists, and they're going to make sure that hunting and conservation lasts for many years to come."
