Shermo Earns National Conservation Award
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — NWTF Wisconsin’s Greg Shermo is receiving national recognition from the National Wild Turkey Federation as one of the recipients of the Roger M. Latham Sportsman Wild Turkey Service Awards for his extraordinary dedication to the organization’s mission. Shermo received the award during the NWTF’s 50th annual Convention and Sport Show, sponsored by Mossy Oak.
“It’s an honor to be recognized,” Shermo said. “I would’ve done the work regardless, but I am honored to be recognized by my state. I’ve met some awesome people, and I’ve met some of my great friends through the NWTF, and it’s been a pleasure being a part of this organization.”
In 1984, Shermo drew his first turkey tag for hunting in the state of Wisconsin, and so he attended an education clinic, where the NWTF had membership cards. After he filled his tag, he joined the NWTF and never looked back.
“It just became a part of me,” he said.
Since then, he's been fortunate enough to hunt birds in several different states and still enjoys taking out new hunters and youth for their first turkey hunts. He became a hunting instructor in the early ‘90s. Being around first-time hunters and offering them advice from his experiences in the field has been rewarding, he said.
Shermo has served on the Wisconsin NWTF State Chapter board for 25 years and took on many different leadership roles from president to vice president, treasurer and Super Fund chairman.
He also founded the local NWTF New Area Gobblers in Green Bay in 1989, where he has since served as chapter president, banquet chairman and treasurer. Through his continued support and stewardship, this chapter is still very active today.
Over his 40-plus years with the NWTF, Shermo has been directly involved with wild turkey restoration efforts in Wisconsin, playing an important role in strengthening the NWTF’s partnership with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources during early trap-and-transfer days.
His efforts were honored when he was one of the first people inducted into the Wisconsin NWTF Wall of Fame. Shermo has won numerous awards for his volunteer service as someone who has always been willing to move the mission of the NWTF forward.
He has been on committees, mentored dozens of new hunters, planned and hosted countless fundraising and outreach events and served on the WIDNR Turkey Stamp Committee.
“We are always honored to recognize volunteers who have been with us since the jump,” NWTF co-CEO Jason Burckhalter said. “Greg has such great spirit and passion for getting folks involved with the NWTF and we see that in everything he does from starting his own chapter and mentoring so many new hunters. We are proud to award Greg with the National Roger M. Latham Award.”
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.