CEO Notes – May/June 2026
As the sun rises and slowly gives color and shape to the forest, a gobble echoes through the timber, joining owl hoots, crow caws and the chorus of songbirds waking up. The sights and sounds of the spring turkey woods are truly a reminder of God’s immanence in nature.
Treasured moments like these — especially with friends and family — are why we work tirelessly every day to conserve the wild turkey and preserve our hunting heritage.
And as this issue of Turkey Call magazine hits our members’ mailboxes, you may have already experienced the magic of the spring woods or are gearing up to tap into the life-changing power of the outdoors. Regardless, we hope that you and your loved ones experience the joy of being in the presence of the wild turkey.
In February, at our 50th Convention and Sport Show, many deserving volunteers and partners from across the country who make our mission possible were recognized for their efforts. This milestone year will stand out distinctly in our minds forever, from the unmatched artistry in call making and taxidermy, to the level of talent at the Grand National Calling Championships, the event was once again a celebration of the people and passion that drive our mission forward.
It is incredible that what began as a small gathering in Hershey, Pennsylvania, in 1977, has grown into one of the largest hunting- and conservation-focused consumer shows in the country. This year we broke our attendance record for the third straight year, drawing 94,426 attendees, highlighting the enduring and growing appeal of the wild turkey and the traditions surrounding our beloved bird.
At our coveted Grand National Auction, we also announced the creation of the new NWTF Distinguished Endowed Professorship at Mississippi State University’s College of Forest Resources. This is part of our broader 10-year strategic plan to build a national network of regional NWTF-endowed university professorships and programs focused solely on conducting coordinated wild turkey research in perpetuity. We are especially proud to see this position established at Mississippi State, a university long recognized as a leader in advancing natural resources conservation. The endowment will generate annual returns to supplement research capacity and support applied wild turkey science. The NWTF Distinguished Endowed Professor will conduct, support and produce quality, peer-reviewed and publicly disseminated research that directly benefits wild turkey populations. You can learn more about this position on pg.10.
The woods have a way of reminding us of our unity, be it from the same feeling we get from that first gobble on opening morning to the shared sense of accomplishment from a hard-earned harvest. The moments that unite us far outweigh what divides us, and at our convention, seeing people from different backgrounds, generations and experiences come together under the umbrella of the wild turkey is emblematic of our vision: a nation united by the life-changing power of the outdoors.
After turkey seasons end, together we will move the mission forward through research, habitat management, education and outreach; our mission delivery does not stop when tags are filled and seasons are over. It takes us all, united.
We encourage you to join us in supporting the wild turkey year-round, whether that means improving habitat on your property, mentoring a new hunter or volunteering and helping us bolster our regional conservation initiatives.
As the 2026 spring season continues to unfold, we hope you join us in working for this remarkable bird and the life-changing experiences it creates.