NWTF Missouri Continues Creating Healthy Habitats in the Mark Twain National Forest

Most recently, foresters completed a 314-acre timber sale within the Salem and Potosi Ranger Districts of Mark Twain National Forest. That sale was then used to fund timber stand improvement or TSI projects within the forest. When the timber harvest was completed, foresters removed undesirable species and unhealthy trees, further opening the canopy and creating the early successional habitat that wild turkeys need to thrive.

This work follows additional old field restoration efforts where foresters completed 186 acres of brush mastication that enhanced the Spring Walk-In Turkey Hunting Areas (SWITHAs) and created additional walk-in opportunities. The final stages of the project included repairing and installing 11 more SWITHA gates, allowing more public land to be accessible for hunting on the Mark Twain National Forest. The NWTF will continue to build off these efforts by restoring 42 acres of old fields into quality turkey habitat.

“This project was one of our first multi-district projects,” said Will Rechkemmer, NWTF wildlife biologist for southern Missouri. “We were able to have a timber sale in one district and conduct restoration work across several districts. The whole goal of this project was to increase brood and nest cover, and this timber harvest will create early successional habitat by opening up the canopy to let in more sunlight. In a primarily forested landscape, there’s not a lot for turkeys, especially poults. In general, early successional habitat is lacking in southern Missouri, and that is why it is so important for us to do this work.”

Through banquet dollars, memberships, volunteer hours and advocacy, NWTF members help drive habitat restoration projects like the Old Hickory Project. NWTF’s match funding for this project was provided by the Missouri NWTF State Chapter’s 2026 Super Fund allocation, making the project a direct reflection of the commitment and investment of NWTF volunteers.

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 continues to unite a nation through the life-changing power of the outdoors.