Policy in Action at the 2026 NWTF Convention and Sport Show
Walking through the halls of the Gaylord Opryland Resort, it is hard not to feel the excitement and passion of turkey hunters and conservationists from across the country. Amid the entertainment, awards and recognition, thousands of attendees packed the sport show floor to explore the latest in all things turkey hunting and more. Yet beyond the excitement on the show floor, the NWTF Convention and Sport Show also serves as a critical gathering place for partners in conservation to engage in meaningful dialogue about the policies shaping the future of wildlife, habitat and hunting heritage.
While the energy of opening day carried on below, NWTF staff, government leaders and industry partners gathered upstairs for the Government Policy Reception — a space dedicated to collaboration and celebrating conservation wins achieved through shared advocacy. During the reception, partners reflected on key policy successes from the past year, including Pennsylvania’s expansion of Sunday hunting access, a long-sought milestone for sportsmen and women. Representatives from the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation also highlighted their ongoing partnership with NWTF, marking 35 years of collaborative work advancing conservation and sportsmen’s priorities at both the state and federal levels.
Among those speakers was Glenn G.T. Thompson, chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture, who received the National Wild Turkey Federation’s 2026 Government Partner Award. Thompson’s leadership played a pivotal role in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025 (H.R. 1), which delivered $66 billion in new agricultural investments over 10 years.
The legislation secured critical funding for voluntary conservation programs such as the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, Conservation Stewardship Program and the Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program at a time when funding would have otherwise lapsed — ensuring long-term support for habitat restoration, public access and rural communities.
As the convention continues and attendees return to the show floor Friday and Saturday, the conversations held during the Government Policy Reception served as a reminder that conservation success extends far beyond the woods. Through strong partnerships, sound policy and continued advocacy, NWTF and its partners are working year-round to ensure the wild turkey, and the hunting heritage tied to it, remains strong for generations to come.