WildturkeyDNA in Oklahoma
A recent hunt with the National Wild Turkey Federation was everything turkey season is supposed to be — good people, conservation and chasing hard-gobbling Rio Grande turkeys across Oklahoma.
The NWTF has spent decades conserving wild turkey habitat and preserving hunting traditions, but this was a different kind of hunt. We were there to collect DNA samples from wild turkeys to help determine potential crosses between wild Rio Grande turkeys and farm-raised domestic birds in the area.
After each harvest, DNA samples were collected as part of the ongoing conservation and research effort. The goal is to help biologists better understand how domestic turkey genetics may be influencing wild turkey populations in certain regions and to ensure the integrity and longterm health of truly wild birds.
It’s an important reminder that modern conservation goes far beyond simply protecting habitat. Today’s wildlife management also depends heavily on research, science and hunter participation in the field.
At Nomad, supporting conservation efforts like this has been part of our DNA since the brand was established in 2015. From the very beginning, our mission has always gone beyond simply building hunting apparel. We believe in protecting the traditions, wildlife and wild places that make hunting possible for future generations.
That commitment is one of the reasons our partnership with the NWTF means so much to us.
The NWTF has spent decades helping restore wild turkey populations across North America, and this hunt served as another example of hunters directly contributing to conservation efforts. Every sample collected helps provide valuable information that can guide future management decisions and help protect the resource for generations to come.
Of course, there were still all the moments that make turkey hunting unforgettable — sunrise gobbles rolling across the hills and creek bottoms of Oklahoma, close encounters in the timber, camp stories after the hunt and the excitement that only spring turkey season can bring.
But this hunt carried an added purpose, and it wasn’t just about punching a tag. It was about contributing to the future of the wild turkey and being part of something bigger than the hunt itself.
In the end, Oklahoma delivered incredible hunting, unforgettable memories, and an opportunity to take part in conservation work that truly matters. For Nomad, being part of efforts like this alongside the NWTF is exactly what the hunting community should continue to stand for — conservation, education and protecting the future of the sport.