Hunting Heritage in Action in the West
Supporting our hunting heritage is one of the pillars of the NWTF’s mission, alongside conserving the wild turkey. Across the West, hundreds of events each year help the NWTF advance this mission while strengthening local communities.
In recent years, chapters nationwide have hosted thousands of education and outreach events, engaging their communities while advancing the mission of the NWTF. These accomplishments are rooted in partnerships. Through NWTF Education and Outreach programs like Women in the Outdoors, JAKES, and Wheelin’ Sportsmen, and with the tireless efforts of staff, volunteers and partners, the NWTF continues its commitment to recruiting, retaining and reactivating hunters.
In the West, hunting heritage events focus on building support for hunting, reaching new and non-traditional audiences and using partnerships to advance conservation. Here are several events from 2025 that showcase these efforts in action.
Each year, NWTF Idaho State Chapter president Joe Foster brings together the High Desert Master Naturalists, chapter volunteers and Idaho Fish and Game for a large-scale tree planting effort. This single-day event contributes roughly $30,000 in trees and shrubs to future habitat restoration projects on southeastern Idaho’s public lands. Importantly, it also builds bridges with non-traditional audiences like the Master Naturalists, many of whom are not hunters, broadening conservation support.
In June, the San Diego Chapter hosted a JAKES Day that gave local youth a hands-on introduction to hunting and conservation. Participants tried archery, BB guns, tomahawk throwing, shotgun and .22 rifle shooting and black powder demonstrations, while also learning about turkey biology. Partnerships with the Escondido Fish and Game Association helped make the event possible, creating a safe and engaging way to foster new connections with the outdoors.
Hosted this year by the Oregon NWTF State Chapter, the annual All Hands, All Brands event brings together agency professionals, outdoor organizations and families for a weekend centered around conservation work and building connections within the community. Each year, participants join forces to restore critical habitat in the Blue Mountains, underscoring the power of partnership in making a tangible impact on the land.
In July, the Washington NWTF State Chapter partnered with Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, the USDA Forest Service’s Mount Baker–Snoqualmie fire crew and numerous local businesses and nonprofits to host a dynamic JAKES Day. Youth engaged with 15 interactive stations designed to connect them with nature, hunting and conservation, experiencing firsthand the rich outdoor heritage of their state.
These hunting heritage events highlight how the NWTF and its partners are inspiring future generations, strengthening communities and advancing conservation. By creating opportunities for youth, engaging non-traditional audiences and fostering diverse partnerships, the NWTF ensures hunting traditions remain vibrant in the West while securing healthy habitats for wild turkeys and other wildlife.