Long Receives National Conservation Award

Long accepted the Henry S. Mosby Award during the NWTF’s 50th annual Convention and Sport Show, sponsored by Mossy Oak. This award is named for Henry S. Mosby, Ph.D., whose research during the mid-1900s set the standard for wild turkey management. This award recognizes an outstanding biologist who has contributed to wild turkey management throughout his or her career or made a single significant accomplishment in the restoration or management of wild turkeys.

“I am truly honored to be chosen for the NWTF Henry S. Mosby Award,” Long said. “I never expect any accolades for doing my job, but it is great to know that my efforts are appreciated. Every day, my goal is to do what I can to help turkeys, other game birds and the hunters that care about them across Maryland. Much of my success wouldn’t be possible without partners such as the National Wild Turkey Federation. I have always valued my relationship with the NWTF, and I am grateful to the NWTF Maryland State Board for its support throughout my career. I look forward to continuing our work together to support turkey conservation.”

Long has been a biologist with the MDDNR for over 20 years. Notably, he led the state’s first ever large-scale wild turkey research project beginning in the winter of 2023 and collaborated with other Mid-Atlantic region states to gain a more complete picture. The study investigated the survival and reproductive success of hens and sought to understand how weather, predators, disease and habitat impact survival.

Long coordinates the entire project from collaborations with other states to working with Penn State on data analysis. He supervised the fieldwork in all four regions of Maryland. This field work includes finding suitable wild turkey trapping locations, securing landowner permissions to access trap sites, spending hours in blinds waiting for turkeys to show up, securing captured turkeys, collecting data and much more. He organizes trainings and support to DNR staff who have never trapped turkeys before, allowing them the opportunity to participate at a high level and learn new skills that support this research and the conservation of the wild turkey.

Long is heavily involved with non-profit organizations that often assist with DNR goals, including the NWTF, the Ruffed Grouse Society, Quail Forever and more. He also works to build and maintain relationships with other state and federal agencies to improve habitat at the landscape scale.

His work to bring quail back to the eastern shore has been particularly successful. In four years, the quail population has quadrupled in size on some properties, and it involved working with wildlife management areas and private landowners to encourage habitat management practices such as prescribed fire and early successional habitat.

Long also dedicates considerable energy and passion to the Maryland NWTF State Chapter, as not only the state’s biologist but also as a member and volunteer. He serves as the NWTF state’s Super Fund chair, National Wild Turkey Technical Committee advisor and conservation seed program coordinator.

He has also been a certified hunter education instructor for the state for over 20 years, and he has mentored both youth and adult hunters for decades. He played a major role in implementing the First Shot mentored hunt program in 2018 at the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Maryland Department of Natural Resources and the Maryland NWTF State Chapter. Long still serves as a mentor for the hunt, and over the years, this program has helped nearly 200 mentees learn to hunt.

“We are proud to honor Bob for everything he has done for the wild turkey in Maryland and beyond,” NWTF co-CEO Kurt Dyroff said. “It is incredible that we have men like Bob dedicating so much to the NWTF’s mission. Not only is he leading innovative wild turkey research in his region, but he has also dedicated years to training the next generation of hunters. We are proud to honor both Bob’s ongoing and past contributions to the wild turkey with the Henry S. Mosby Award.”

About the National Wild Turkey Federation 

Since 1973, the National Wild Turkey Federation has invested over half a billion dollars into wildlife conservation and has positively impacted over 25 million acres of critical wildlife habitat. Since 2022, the NWTF has also invested over $2.3 million in critical wild turkey research that, when leveraged with partner contributions, has resulted in more than $22 million to guide the management of the wild turkey and to ensure sustainable populations. The organization continues to deliver its mission by working across boundaries on a landscape scale to deliver healthy forests and wildlife habitats, clean and abundant water, resilient communities and robust recreational opportunities. With the help of its dedicated members, partners and staff, the NWTF is committed to creating a nation united by the life-changing power of the outdoors.