NWTF New England Celebrates Conservation and Hunting Heritage Efforts

“In my opinion, the reason we do this event is to recognize all the years these folks have put in to bring the wild turkey back to New England,” said Norm Hamel, NWTF Seacoast Strutters Chapter president. “Without them we wouldn’t have a turkey season. Without their passion, we wouldn’t have any of this.”

Those who are inducted into the hall of fame have selflessly donated their time, resources and talents to support the wild turkey. Just a few decades ago, the species was nearly extirpated from New England, but through collaborative efforts, turkeys are now thriving across the woods and fields of the Northeast, marking one of the greatest conservation stories ever. The men and women honored in the New England Turkey Hunting Hall of Fame represent the heart of that comeback. They are the educators who taught new generations of hunters, the biologists who managed wild turkey populations and the volunteers who organized hunts, banquets and community events to ensure wild turkey hunting heritage endures for generations to come.

The 2026 New England Turkey Hunting Hall of Fame Recipients are:

Bob and Pat Thompson from Rhode Island were honored for their three decades of dedicated service to the NWTF’s mission. The couple was instrumental in forming the first Rhode Island NWTF State Chapter and they were essential in efforts that helped restore wild turkey populations on the landscape. Their relationship was built on their shared passion for conservation and wild turkey hunting, and it is something they still cherish today.

Brian Malone from Massachusetts was recognized for his dedication to the sport of turkey hunting and his commitment to teaching countless people, young and old, what it means to be a turkey hunter. “Uncle Pete” Wentworth was recognized from Maine for his decades-long passion for hunting the wild turkey and for crafting iconic wing bone and “birch-bone” calls, which have been nationally recognized.

Timothy P. Corey from Vermont was recognized for his dedication to the NWTF North Country Longspurs Chapter where he was instrumental in coordinating the state’s NWTF Seed Program and planting fruit trees to improve wildlife habitat. He also organized New England’s first JAKES event in 1997, which has since seen over 2,500 youth attendees. Gary Tanner was inducted into the hall of fame representing the region as a whole. Tanner was pivotal in creating NWTF chapters in New England as the first NWTF regional director for the region. The 2026 inductees will join 47 others who have been inducted in over the last nine years.

“We envisioned the hall of fame 11 years ago when we returned from the 2015 NWTF [national] convention,” said Keith Fritze, co-founder and president of the New England Turkey Hunting Hall of Fame. “With now over 50 inductees from six states, we are just scratching the surface in recognizing those who have really made an impact in wild turkey conservation and wild turkey hunting. We truly stand on the shoulders of giants, and we’re proud to recognize them.”

The night also celebrated the accomplishments and milestones of the local chapters in the New England region. Most notably, the NWTF Southern Vermont Limbhangers Chapter was recognized for having the most improved banquet in the region. Their event raised over $45,000, which was the highest contributing event in the New England region.

The NWTF Capital Region Strutters Chapter from New Hampshire was recognized for having more than a 50% increase from their previous year’s banquet.

The Bunnell Family was awarded the region’s Years of Dedication Award for their efforts in hosting the NWTF North Country Longspurs Chapter’s annual Bunnell Camp JAKES event. The family has donated their property for over 25 years to host the national award-winning JAKES event. They continue to show an unwavering dedication to introducing youth to the outdoors, hunting and shooting.

Above all, the evening served as a welcoming space for hunters from across the region to gather and foster a strong sense of community. The New England Turkey Hunting Hall of Fame and Awards Banquet exemplifies how NWTF volunteers break down state boundaries and unite as a region through the Forests and Flocks Initiative.