Published: August 24, 2006 01:47 pm      

Wild Turkey banquet to highlight local chapter’s arrival

The National Wild Turkey Federation will make its splash into the area Friday with a Hunting Heritage Banquet at the Navarro County Shriner Building.

The local chapter, Navarro County Limbhangers, will serve as the hosts. Doors will open at 6 p.m., with dinner scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

Door prizes will be given away, and tickets at various levels are available by calling James Moore at (903) 875-8146.

According to its Web site, “the NWTF is a grassroots, nonprofit organization with more than 500,000 members in 50 states, Canada, Mexico and 14 other foreign countries. It supports scientific wildlife management on public, private and corporate lands as well as wild turkey hunting as a traditional North American sport.

“In 1973, the National Wild Turkey Federation was founded in Fredericksburg, Va. At that time, there were an estimated 1.3 million wild turkeys and 1.5 million turkey hunters. Shortly after its founding, the NWTF moved to Edgefield, S.C., where it is headquartered today. Thanks to the work of federal, state and provincial wildlife agencies and the NWTF’s many volunteers and partners, there are now more than 7 million wild turkeys and nearly 3 million turkey hunters. Turkey hunting has become the fastest growing form of hunting and has the second-highest number of participants of any type of hunting.

“Since 1985, more than $230 million NWTF and cooperator dollars have been spent on upholding hunting traditions and conserving more than 11.3 million acres of wildlife habitat. Hunters have also benefited as the NWTF has worked tirelessly to support our hunting heritage and protect and promote laws that increase hunting opportunity and safety.”

Paul Ferrell, the East Texas regional director, said the organization gives more than 50 percent of its money to volunteer organizations and said the local chapter will eventually offer a $500 scholarship to a local student.

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On the Net:

www.nwtf.org