2008 Convention Highlights Page

Every year, the NWTF gathers to celebrate the amazing comeback story of the wild turkey. This year's Turkey Party includes Calling, Callmaking and Taxidermy contests, great speakers and entertainers, more than 500 booths featuring the latest in gear, art and calls, and the NWTF honoring the volunteers and partners who make us the best conservation organization.

Be sure to check back often to catch up-to-date highlights of the NWTF's annual Convention and Sport Show in Atlanta.

Snapshots Check out the latest photos from the 2008 National Convention. Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday

2008 Awards Recipents

5 - Star Award

• John Barton

Lynn Boykin Hunting Heritage Award

• Herman "Duff" Holbrook

Wild Turkey Rare Breed Bourbon Award

• Kenny Odom (MS)

Corporate Achievement Award

• Cabela's

C.B. McLeod Award

• Sam Crouch (SC)

Henry S. Mosby

• Larry Perrin (FL)

• Richard "Todd" Campbell (SC)

Joe Kurz Wildlife Manager of the Year Award

• Tim Brooks (MO)

Roger Latham Award

• Mike Lowder - Illinois
• Harry Wilfong - North Carolina
• Bill Eubank - South Dakota

Land Stewardship Award

• Department of Defense, Eglin Air Force Base

Wild Turkey Woodlands Award

• National Winner - Paul P. Mechling, Ohio
• 1st Runner Up - Chris Massie, Illinois
• 2nd Runner Up - Slade Lail, Georgia
• Outstanding Land Steward - Clifton C. Higgins, Arkansas

Energy for Wildlife Achievement Award

• CNX Land Resources, Inc.

Wayne Bailey Memorial Award

• Fred Evans (NY)
• Michael Seamster (NC)

• Katrina Skrapits
• Cheryl LaRosa

Women in the Outdoors Awards

Volunteers of the Year

• Robin Clark, Charlottesville, Va.
• Mark and Connie Cook, Greenwood, S.C.

Wheelin' Sportsmen Awards

2008 L.A. Dixon Awards

• Leadership Meeting Awards (Thursday)
• Federal Breakfast (Friday)
• Awards Banquet (Saturday)

2008 Wild Turkey Bourbon/NWTF Grand National Calling Contest

The Wild Turkey Bourbon/NWTF Calling Contest Divisions:

• Seniors — Billy Yargus, Ewing, Mo. — Seniors Results
• Rare Breed Champion of Champions — Kerry Terrell, Brooklet, Ga. — Full Results
• Team Challenge — Mark Prudhomme, Georgetown, S.C. and Kerry Terrell, Brooklet, Ga. — Full Results
• Gobbling — Stephan Richardson, Springdale, Ark. — Full Results
• Friction — Matthew Van Cise, Brookville, PA — Full Results
• Owl Hooting — Mark Prudhomme, Georgetown, S.C. — Full Results

2008 NWTF Grand National Intermediate and Junior Calling Championships

• Intermediate Division — Dakota Clouser, Danville, PA — Full Results
• Junior Division — Jimmy Pollard, Fort Smith, AR — Full Results

2008 Custom Callmaking Competition

• Decorative Turkey Full Results
  • Best of Show — John Parker, Trenton, OH
  • Best of Class I — John Parker, Trenton, OH
  • Best of Class II — Don Bald, Lebanon, IL
  • Best of Class III — Bobby Ray, Steelville, MO
  • Best of Class IV — Andy Cobb, Harvest, AL
  • Rookie Decorative Callmaker of the Year — Robert Smith Jr., Mt. Pleasant, NC
  • Youth Decorative Callmaker of the Year — Chris Groenier, Oregon, WI
• Hunting Turkey Full Results
  • Best of Show — Michael Lapp, Honey Brook, PA
  • Gibson Award Winner, Box Calls — Michael Lapp, Honey Brook, PA
  • Jeremiah Stevens Award, Scratch Box Calls — Jacob Longuillo, Trinity, NC
  • D.D. Adams Award, Best-sounding Friction Call — Pat Strawser, Millersburg, PA
  • Tom Turpin Award, Best-sounding Air Operated Call — Ralph Permar, Old Zionsville, PA
  • Charles Jordan, Best-sounding Wingbone — Robert Smith Jr., Mt. Pleasant, NC
  • Neil Cost Award , Champion of Champions Box Call — Scott Basehore, Denver, PA
  • The Don Chancey Award, Box Call Sets — Scott Basehore, Denver, PA
  • The Youth Hunting Turkey Callmaker of the Year Award — Jacob Longuillo, Trinity, NC
  • The Rookie Turkey Call Maker of the Year Award — Robert Smith Jr., Mt. Pleasant, NC
• Decorative Duck & Goose Full Results
  • Best of Show — Ed Glenn & Jim Dester, Boardman, OR
  • Second Best of Show — Jim Dester, Sycamore, IL
  • Third Best of Show — Pat Walsh, Nashville, TN
  • Rookie Call Maker of the Year — Bob Sidney, Villa Rica, GA
• Hunting Duck & Goose Full Results
  • Best of Show — Mike Stelzner, Zumbrota, MN
  • Second Best of Show — Bob Hayes, Havana, IL
  • Third Best of Show — Mike Stelzner, Zumbrota, MN
  • Rookie Call Maker of the Year — Mike Stelzner, Zumbrota, MN
  • Youth Call Maker of the Year — Dustin Warmath, Clarksville, TN

2008 Taxidermy Contest

Whitetail Deer Category
For a picture of the winners, please click here.

• Competitors' Choice — Rick Carter, Watkinsville, GA
• Commercial Division
  • 1st place — Grayson Roberts Leesburg, GA
  • 2nd place — Jason Cross Town Creek, AL
  • 3rd place — Michael Bryant Tullahoma, TN
• Professional Division
  • Best of Show — Grayson Roberts, Leesburg, GA
  • Best Closed Mouth Deer — Michael Bryant, Tullahoma, TN
  • Best Open Mouth Deer — Grayson Roberts, Leesburg, GA
• Masters Division
  • Best of Show — Rick Carter, Watkinsville, GA
  • Best Closed Mouth Deer — Richard Cadenhead, Stockbridge, GA
  • Best Open Mouth Deer — Rick Carter, Watkinsville, GA

Wild Turkey Category
For a picture of the winners, please click here.

• Competitors' Choice — Stevie Young, Valdosta, GA
• Commercial Division
  • First place — Chuck Mulkey, Anderson, SC
• Professional Division
  • Best of Show — Bret Defreitas, Boaz, KY
  • Best Standing — Bryan Stillwell, Station, NC
  • Best Strutting — Bret Defreitas, Boaz, KY
• Masters Division
  • Best of Show — Shawn Whitehead, Lexington, KY
  • Best Standing — Stevie Young, Valdosta, GA
  • Best Strutting — Shawn Whitehead, Lexington, KY

WASCO Award
For a picture of the winner, please click here.

• Most Artistic Entry — Rick Carter, Watkinsville, GA