The National Wild Turkey Federation
Mass. State Chapter Founded 1983
Mission statement: To Protect our Hunting Heritage and Preserve the Wild Turkey in the state of Massachusetts!
NWTF National Mission statement - Conservation of the Wild Turkey and Preservation of our Hunting Heritage!
The National Wild Turkey Federation: 545,000 Members • $230 Million Spent on Conservation •Close to 3 Million Turkey Hunters • More Than 7 Million Wild Turkeys. To learn more click on: http://www.nwtf.org/nwtf_newsroom/about_nwtf.html Or check out www.NWTF.org
NORTH AMERICAN WILD TURKEY MANAGEMENT PLAN
THE WILD TURKEY: AN ASTONISHING SUCCESS STORY written by James E. Cardoza - Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife please review the above PDF document to gain insight into the history and preservation of the wild turkey. The paper covers the decline and near disappearance, growing concerns and subsequent restoration, why restoration worked and a view to the future.
Massachusetts Wildlife Officer Wins Award from NWTF Click for full story.
Brooding Over Turkeys – Turkey brood survey forms have been recently tabulated by Jim Cardoza, MassWildlife’s Turkey Project Leader. Brood surveys are one way biologists assess the number of young that are recruited (added) into the population. “Calculations show that this year’s hatch was higher than last year,” said Cardoza. “What is interesting about this season’s information is that it appears that the higher hatch is the result of re-nesting.” Few broods (hens and their young poults) were seen in June, compared with many more broods reported in July, a strong indication that early nests failed and the hens re-nested. Cardoza was also pleased with the number of forms sent in by interested members of the public. Approximately 350 brood survey forms were submitted, a record figure, with the vast majority from Bay State citizens. “This year, the response from the public was excellent,” said Cardoza. “More participation from many people reporting brood sightings from June – August, results in better information for the agency.” For more information on turkey brood surveys and how they are used by biologists, Cardoza recommends reading an article he wrote for the Massachusetts Wildlife magazine in 2006 (Vol. LVI, No. 1) “Brooding over brood counts”. Check the turkey pages in the Wildlife area of www.mass.gov/masswildlife.
MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS: The MA State Chapter NWTF receives the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Cooperative Conservation Award for its role in the Northern Forest Woodcock Initiative. This was awarded for work done at Poland Brook WMA a cooperative project with MassWildlife and the Wildlife Management Institute.
NWTF and Partners Take Initiative, Win Award - 5/6/2008
The Massachusetts State Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation recently received the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Cooperative Conservation Award for its role in the Northern Forest Woodcock Initiative.
The Massachusetts State Chapter's contribution to the NFWI helped turn 25 acres of overgrown fields on the Poland Brook Wildlife Management Area into more suitable habitat for American woodcock, Wild Turkeys and other wildlife. The NWTF worked with the Wildlife Management Institute, Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife on this project. Twenty-nine additional partners also joined the initiative on various projects throughout the northeastern states.
"The National Wild Turkey Federation's participation in this conservation initiative is a prime example of how, together, we can achieve higher success by rallying our expertise and resources than we ever could by working as independent organizations," said Marvin Moriarty, regional director for the US Fish and Wildlife Service.
Biologists on the Poland Brook WMA created early successional habitat, or areas where large undesirable trees are removed to create openings while leaving fruit producing trees that benefit wildlife. Removing most of the undesirable trees and shrubs created excellent brood habitat for wild turkeys and much-needed wildlife openings for American woodcock and other grassland bird species.
NWTF Regional Biologist Doug Little said the Northeast has plenty of heavily forested areas because of the conversion of fields to forests that has taken place over the last 20 to 30 years. The region is lacking early successional habitat, which is a necessity for wild turkeys, woodcock and several other game and non-game species. This project improved conditions for woodcock in the area while providing quality brood habitat for wild turkeys.
"Every acre that is converted into healthy habitat for wild turkeys, woodcock and other species is a step in the right direction," said Little. "Improving 25 acres in the heart of dense forest will benefit a variety of wildlife and those who visit the area. Everyone from hunters to birdwatchers will enjoy enhanced wildlife viewing opportunities."
The Cooperative Conservation awards recognize cooperative conservation achievements that have involved collaborative activity among a diverse range of entities including federal, state, local and tribal governments private for profit and nonprofit institutions, other nongovernmental entities and individuals.
For an overview of work performed on this project check out the following Timberdoodle.org link.
Which includes maps and pictures showing the accomplishments.
We will continue to highlighting the history, founding, and major accomplishements of the NWTF in the state of Massachusetts on this page.