Stroud Earns National Conservation Award

“I am humbled and honored to be receiving the NWTF Roger Latham Award,” Stroud said. “I started hunting quail and deer in about 1958, but we had no turkey in our county or maybe even the state. Thanks to the efforts of the NWTF [ in my opinion the best conservation organization in the U.S.A.] and the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, I was able to hunt wild turkey in my home county in about 1990. My passion for the wild turkey and the hunting heritage and teaching young people to hunt runs deep in my veins. My granddad taught my dad and my dad taught me, and I have taught my wife and kids and grandkids, and hopefully great-grandkids, and nephews and the neighbor's kids the importance of hunting and conservation. Thanks, and may GOD bless.”

The NWTF presents Roger M. Latham Sportsman Wild Turkey Service awards to members who are not employed as professional wildlife managers but have made significant contributions to wild turkey conservation. This award is named for Roger M. Latham who authored the Complete Book of the Wild Turkey,working as a research ecologist, conservation biologist and environmental planner for over four decades. This service award recognizes up to five outstanding individuals who have made significant contributions by volunteering their personal time, energy and money working to deliver the mission of the NWTF.

Stroud joined the NWTF in 1999 and was instrumental in starting the Independence County Longbeards Chapter. He and his wife, Ellen, worked to build a strong local NWTF committee that has grown to be one of the strongest chapters in Arkansas. The chapter is active year-round and is deeply committed to serving youth in the community. Stroud and his chapter were contributors to help build the Paul H. "Rocky" Willmuth Sport Shooting Complex. The chapter continues to support the facility with ongoing volunteering and fundraising efforts.

“Gary has a deep-rooted history with the NWTF spanning decades,” NWTF co-CEO Jason Burckhalter said. “He is well-known in his community for his immense efforts and his commitment to the NWTF’s mission. His continuous support for the NWTF will push the needle in Arkansas, and we are proud to honor his work with a Roger M. Latham Sportsman Wild Turkey Service 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 23 million acres of critical wildlife habitat. The NWTF has also invested over $9 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.