NWTF Chapters Receive National Outreach Awards

The NWTF’s R3 Award honors chapters that deliver impactful hunting heritage programming through initiatives such as JAKES, Wheelin’ Sportsmen and Women in the Outdoors. These grassroots efforts focus on welcoming new hunters afield, mentoring participants and building lasting connections to the outdoors. 

Representatives from the Wisconsin Women in the Outdoors Chapter, Franklin County Longbeards Chapter, Southern Maryland Chapter, Sand Dunes Gobblers Chapter and the New Jersey Women in the Outdoors Chapter accepted the awards during the NWTF’s 50^th annual Convention and Sport Show, sponsored by Mossy Oak. 

Across the country, NWTF chapter-led events play a vital role in reversing long-term declines in hunter participation — a trend that threatens the future of wildlife conservation, which relies heavily on funding generated by hunters and anglers. 

The chapters received recognition for the following events: 

Wisconsin Women in the Outdoors Chapter – Annual Women in the Outdoors Event 

In 2025, the Wisconsin WITO Chapter hosted its 27^th annual Women in the Outdoors event, continuing a decades-long commitment in introducing women to hunting, conservation and outdoor skills in a welcoming, supportive environment. The event featured a variety of learning stations from archery, shotgun safety, wildlife identification and more. Participants learned from experienced instructors in an environment that encouraged mentorship and community.  

As interest continues to grow, the chapter plans to expand partnerships and draw participants from surrounding states. The long-term goal of this event remains to provide a supportive hands-on introduction to hunting and the outdoors by offering mentorship, skill building and follow-up opportunities, helping women build confidence and community along the way.  

“This award is a meaningful recognition of our chapter’s commitment to recruitment, retention and reactivation of hunters,” said Tracy Neuburg-Whelan, chapter volunteer. “We believe that hands-on education, mentorship and a welcoming environment are key to the future of conservation. We’re grateful to NWTF for recognizing the work being done at the grassroots level. This award belongs to our volunteers, partners and participants who make our chapter what it is.” 

Franklin County Longbeards Chapter – Wheelin' Sportsmen Turkey Hunt 

Held each spring in Virginia, the annual Wheelin’ Sportsmen Turkey Hunt creates meaningful opportunities for disabled hunters to experience the thrill of the spring woods. Partnering with the Jes Avanti Foundation, the Franklin County Longbeards Chapter welcomed both first-time turkey hunters and returning participants for this year’s hunt, pairing each hunter with a dedicated guide to assist with setup, calling and any additional support needed. 

The impact of the hunt was evident in the field. One participant harvested his very first turkey and quickly became hooked, staying in touch with his guide long after the hunt and already looking forward to returning next spring. 

“Franklin County Longbeards is deeply honored to receive this R3 award,” said Tim Burton, Franklin County Longbeards Chapter president. “Our passion is helping hunters experience the woods for the very first time or return to the woods so they can continue doing what they love. Our committee is more than a team; we are a family that encourages, supports and lifts each other up. There are no words that fully capture the feeling of seeing someone get back out after an injury or watching a new hunter experience that moment for the first time. Bringing that spark to life means everything to us.” 

Southern Maryland Chapter 

The Southern Maryland Chapter earned national recognition for its long-running commitment to youth hunting opportunities, hosting two major mentored events each year. 

On Nov. 16 and 17, 2024, the chapter’s fall youth deer hunt welcomed 73 youth hunters alongside more than 120 mentors and volunteers. Twelve participants were first-time hunters, and 35 deer were successfully harvested.  

The chapter followed with their spring turkey hunt on April 12, 2025, hosting 73 young hunters, including 16 first-time participants. By the end of the day, 21 turkeys were harvested under the guidance of dedicated volunteer mentors. 

“The NWTF Southern Maryland Chapter is honored to be recognized with the 2026 R3 Award,” said Steven Berry, Southern Maryland Chapter president. “This recognition reflects the dedication and passion of our volunteer committee, whose members consistently give their time and energy to ensure the future of hunting and outdoor traditions through youth engagement and community outreach. Countless hours are invested each year to create meaningful opportunities that make a lasting impact throughout our community, and this award is a testament to the commitment and teamwork of everyone involved.” 

Sand Dunes Gobblers Chapter 

In partnership with Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge, the Sand Dunes Gobblers Chapter hosted a JAKES mentored turkey hunt designed to introduce youth to turkey hunting and the outdoors while emphasizing safety, ethics and mentorship. 

Because the refuge is otherwise closed to hunting, participants first met with Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge staff to learn the rules and regulations governing this special opportunity before heading afield. Following the hunt, mentors worked alongside youth hunters to clean their harvested birds and shared lessons on how to utilize, respect and fully appreciate the resource. 

“As president of our chapter, I am thrilled and honored that we’ve received this R3 award,” said Nancy McLaughlin, Sand Dunes Gobblers Chapter president. “We are a small but mighty chapter, and it takes countless hours from dedicated volunteers to give youth the chance to experience the great outdoors. Our hope is that these kids will pay it forward, mentoring others, sharing their knowledge and inspiring families along the way. Milo Lee, our JAKES coordinator, has been instrumental in our success, helping guide these young hunters every step of the way. Moments like hearing a first gobble and seeing a young hunter’s eyes light up — there’s nothing more rewarding.” 

New Jersey Women in the Outdoors Chapter 

The New Jersey WITO Chapter was recognized for launching its first-ever WITO Mentored Goose Camp — an innovative program that quickly generated overwhelming interest. 

Open to women 18 and older who had completed hunter education and owned a shotgun, the three-day camp combined classroom instruction with hands-on hunting experience. The first day featured six workshop stations covering safety, shooting fundamentals, calling, decoy setups and more. 

The following two days were dedicated to mentored goose hunts, during which every participant harvested or had the opportunity to harvest a goose. Attendees also learned how to clean and process birds and had the option to take home harvested meat. 

“It is always an honor for our chapter to be recognized for the events that we pour our heart and soul into,” said Christina McGannon Jones, New Jersey WITO chapter president. “This particular award, for WITO Goose Camp, a first-time event, is extra special. It is a testament to the passion of our mentors, that through years of being mentored, then becoming a mentor themselves, events like this are brought to fruition. The idea began to take shape in a marsh, in the middle of the bay in coastal New Jersey before our chapter even existed. Through friendships created in that marsh, to sharing their passion for goose hunting to partnering with Drakes Waterfowl Guide, we were able to support 20 attendees through a day of learning and two days of goose hunting. Without chapter board member Kelly Vogelpohl and Dave Steckley of Drakes Waterfowl Guide, this event would have just been an idea.  Kelly and Dave have gone above and beyond to help foster a love of goose hunting and helped expand our New Jersey WITO community.” 

“The future of wild turkey conservation depends on recruiting, retaining and reactivating hunters,” NWTF co-CEO Kurt Dyroff said. “Our chapters deserve tremendous credit for welcoming people from all walks of life and building lasting connections to the outdoors. Through their dedication, our chapters are shaping conservation and hunting traditions for generations to come, uniting a nation through the life-changing power of the outdoors.”

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.