NWTF Staff Gather for 13th National Wild Turkey Symposium

Held every five years, the symposium brings together state and federal agencies; land managers; universities; and conservation partners to share the latest findings and collaborate on solutions to ensure the sustainability of wild turkey populations and their habitats. NWTF staff will attend throughout the event to engage alongside agency and academic partners while also sharing updates on the NWTF's research and conservation efforts. 

“Collaboration, innovation and knowledge exchange all come to life at the National Wild Turkey Symposium,” said Jared McJunkin, NWTF acting director of science and planning. “Bringing together so many talented people to focus on the wild turkey accelerates our ability to tackle the challenges facing our beloved bird today and grows our collective knowledge base for future generations. We are excited to see the outcomes of the 13^th National Wild Turkey Symposium.” 

Since its founding in 1973, the NWTF has played a monumental role in advancing wild turkey research, helping fund projects nationwide that address population trends, habitat dynamics, disease ecology, predator interactions and harvest management strategies. The symposium helps continue this important work by fostering collaboration between wildlife agencies, universities and nonprofit organizations, all working toward shared conservation goals.  

Throughout the event, the NWTF will publish daily stories on NWTF.org highlighting emerging research findings, insights from wildlife managers in the field and reflections from NWTF staff working with researchers. 

The 13th National Wild Turkey Symposium comes on the heels of an energized year for wild turkey research, including the NWTF’s 2025 investment in wild turkey research, which included $503,618 dispersed among nine projects. Since 2022, the NWTF and its partners have combined to put more than $22 million toward wild turkey research. 

Thanks to support from dedicated volunteers and partners — such as the Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Outdoor Fund and NWTF state chapters — the NWTF’s RFP Program is an aggressive, annual effort to fund critical wild turkey research projects nationwide. 

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 24 million acres of critical wildlife habitat. The NWTF has also invested over $10 million into wild turkey research to guide the management of the wild turkey population and to ensure sustainable populations into perpetuity. The organization continues to deliver its mission by working across boundaries on a landscape scale through its Four Shared Values: clean and abundant water, healthy forests and wildlife habitat, resilient communities, and robust recreational opportunities. With the help of its dedicated members, partners and staff, the NWTF continues its work to provide Healthy Habitats. and Healthy Harvests. for future generations.