WILD TURKEY CENTERPOST OFFICE BOX 530

EDGEFIELD, SC 29824-0530770 AUGUSTA ROAD

EDGEFIELD, SC 29824-1510803-637-3106

FAX 803-637-9180

NEWSLETTER NO. 22 - JULY 2008

July 21, 2008 Dear Texas Member: The Texas State Chapter Board of Directors is pleased to offer its members the opportunity to purchase Biologic Texas Draw at a subsidized price. The Texas State Hunting Heritage Super Fund will pay for 50 percent of the seed and shipping charges. This forage blend was created in cooperation with members of the Texas Trophy Hunters Association, who wanted a food plot that would effectively and consistently draw deer in from miles away. The result — a fall forage blend of Austrian peas, Triticale, wheat, oats, clover and chicory — delivers maximum attractiveness under harsh, dry growing conditions, quickly developing into a lush green food plot that performs throughout the cool winter months. Biologic Texas Draw is the ideal blend for optimum deer herd health, maximum attractiveness and excellent deer visibility. This mix will cover ½ acre. Sponsor Members may purchase a total of ten:

• 20-pound bags of Texas Draw (covers ½ acre) for just $23.00, shipping included Regular Members may purchase a total of four:

• 20-pound bags of Texas Draw (covers ½ acre) for just $23.00, shipping included All orders are filled on a first-come, first-serve basis. Quantities are limited on subsidized seed due to the dollars allocated to the program. Seed will ship approximately two weeks from date of order. Biologic Texas Draw can be broadcast or planted with a grain drill. Spread the seed on a well-prepared seedbed at 40 lbs. per acre. Use a cultipacker or a drag to lightly cover the seed. Do not disk, as this will bury the seeds too deep for germination. Texas Draw is best planted in September or October in Texas. Typically the southern and western counties receive their moisture during these months, and some soil moisture is necessary to establish the plot. ***As an additional benefit, each member can purchase additional bags of Biologic Texas Draw for just $46.00 unsubsidized but at a reduced price, in unlimited quantities. However, to take advantage of these savings, you must submit the order with this seed subsidy offer. Sincerely, Bob Linder Texas State Chapter President National Wild Turkey Federation

Newsletter No. 28 - JuNe 2012Editor - dalE bounds

TEXAS CHAPTER NATIONAL

FEDERATIONWILD TURKEY

www.nwtf.org/texas/

Dedicated to conservation of the wild turkey and the preservation of our hunting heritage

Our Mission:

More 2012 turkey photos inside . . .

The Texas State Chapter of the NWTF has partnered with the Texas-based company My Plates to create a NWTF specialty license plate for Texas. With each purchase of this plate, a portion of the proceeds will go to the Texas State Chapter of NWTF to enhance wild turkey habitat across the state. Purchase your plate today by going to www.myplates.com. Ordering is simple! Click on “create a plate”, select the “series type” you would like, select “vehicle type”, click on Sports/Interests under the “pick your design” tab, then click “order or add message.” Please help support Wild Turkey Conservation in Texas.

NWTF Specialty License Plate in Texas . . . www.myplates.com

CONSERVE. HUNT. SHARE.

Frio County - South Texas, Left to Right: Gene Sullivan, Terry Wheeler, Don Sebesta, Jason Sebesta

Bob Linder at Dos Haches with his Rio (South Texas) 2012

Kevin Smithhart, Double with one shot from 20 ga.Grandpa Larry Linder and granddaughter, Emily Oliver enjoy her completion of the USA Grand Slam---She is 18 years old,

but was not raised in a normal household. Ha. RL Merriam from Cloudcroft, NM

Jake member Russell Read with his first Rio Grande longbeard.

Cache Tenney and Blake Owens bagged 4 nice panhandle Rio’s Photo Courtesy Jason McAnally

Brett Todd and Adam Huggins with their Central Texas Rio’s

Fannin County bird harvested by Eddie Hines. Eddie’s bird had a 11” beard.

Texas State Chapter Our Texas State NWTF Chapter met January 29 and 20 in the Hampton Inn, Mesquite to finalize the 2012 budget and address other issues facing our state. The board approved a record budget of $223,429.00. You will be able to study the particulars more closely elsewhere in the newsletter, but I mention it here to thank all of you who held “Hunting Heritage Banquets” and raised this money. If you have been around very long

you have, no doubt, heard it said the 56 cents of every banquet dollar (after expenses) comes back to Texas for projects here in the state. We refer to it as Superfund Dollars. The 2011 budget of just less than $120,000.00 was leveraged in cooperation with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and other conservation groups to accomplish over $900,000.00 in projects across our great state. Not to bore you, but since 1985, over $14.5 million in NWTF dollars has been invested on Texas projects that benefit not only the wild turkeys but all wildlife. And who deserves the credit for these accomplishments? You the members of NWTF deserve the credit, because you hold the banquets, spend your hard earned money and make NWTF the great organization that it is.

Retirements and Promotions While at the Texas State Board Meeting, we learned that Mack Frazier from Bandera was retiring as the NWTF Director of Field Operations for the Western Region (17 Western States). We were happy for Mack and his wife Marilee, but hated to lose them. We were equally excited to learn that our own Shawn Roberts was being promoted from his position as Regional Field Supervisor for Texas, Oklahoma and Colorado to the DFO position. Again, we are happy for Shawn, but know that he will be missed at a host of banquets.

Stressful Times Also, at the board meeting, we learned that RD Rob Davis was leaving NWTF. Rob worked North Texas and the Panhandle. All of a sudden, Ray Hood in San Antonio was our only remaining full time Regional Director, and the banquet season was just getting started with over 70 banquets looming in the not so distant future. Ray is a great RD, but there is a limit to what one man can do. Even with his new responsibilities Shawn Roberts continued to work as many banquets as his new job would allow. RD’s from Oklahoma helped with a couple of banquets as did state board members and our two NWTF Biologist, Scotty Parsons and Gene Miller. It was a difficult time, but local chapter presidents and committees understood the situation. By Mid March, Robbi Vincent came on board as the RD for North Texas

and the Panhandle. Robbi hit the ground running and hasn’t slowed down. Thanks to the hard work of our Texas NWTF field staff and dedicated and understanding NWTF volunteers, it appears that we will make it through the banquet season with our sanity. The third RD position was filled with Evan Brown of Plano, Texas.

Four States Rendezvous The annual Four States Rendezvous will again be held in Shreveport, Louisiana, July 27-29, 2012. There will be fun and games and lots of food on Friday evening July 27. During the day Saturday the 28th there will be training sessions guaranteed to help you have a better local chapter. Saturday night will feature a banquet designed for everyone’s enjoyment and to generate income to pay for most of the cost of the event. Sunday morning July 29th will begin with vesper services and also a trip to the Barksdale Air Force Base Shotgun Range for some friendly clay target competition. If you plan to attend take note of two items regarding the Saturday banquet. First, there are special awards for those of you who want to come in costume. This year the theme is “Critters”. Secondly, the four states (Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Louisiana) all put together a table full of items from their respective states. These are then sold during the auction and have, in the past, generated serious competition for “bragging rights” of whose table sold for the most money. I am proud to say that Texas has been the winner every year, thus far. So if you come, and I hope lots of you do, bring anything grown or made in Texas, artwork, adult beverages from Texas, jewelry, donated hunts, and etc. State board members and RD’s will have additional details in the near future, so feel free to contact them from the list on the back of the newsletter.

State Scholarship Winners Local NWTF Chapters that select a scholarship winner from their area can present the winner with a $500.00 scholarship (Super Fund). Local winners are sent to the State Scholarship Committee Coordinator T. W. Garrett for the selection of a state winner. Mr. Garrett reported that the selection committee had a number of excellent candidates. The winning scholarship entry went to Miss Chessie Garrett representing the Northeast Texas NWTF Chapter in Mt. Pleasant. She will receive a total scholarship of $2000.00 and will be considered for a $10,000 national scholarship from NWTF. Runner up honors went to Miss Mikayla Nixon representing the East Texas Chapter of Longview. She will receive a total scholarship of $1500.00. Special thanks are extended to Mr. T. W. Garrett , his selection committee and all of the chapters who sent in entries.

In Closing The Texas State Chapter Summer Board Meeting will be coming up in July, so if you have anything that needs to come before the board, please contact me, one of the other board members or one of our RD’s. We are especially interested in ways to help NWTF grow in Texas. We need chapters in areas where there are none, and we need volunteers to serve on the committees of existing chapters. Volunteers have made NWTF the strong national organization that it is today. If you want to get involved, we would love to have your help to strengthen NWTF here in Texas!

G. R. (Dick) McCarverPresident, Texas State Chapter - NWTF

From Your Texas State President...

4%

56%15% - NWTF

24% - National Projects

1%

Special greetings to my fellow Texans and members of the National Wild Turkey Federation. So much has happened in my first six months as your new Texas State Chapter President that I want to share at least part of it with you our Texas NWTF members.

Chessie Garrett

2

HIGHEST GROSS INCOME1ST PLACE - ALAMO CHAPTER

2ND PLACE - PINEYWOODS CHAPTER3RD PLACE - GULF COAST CHAPTER

HIGHEST NET INCOME1ST PLACE - PINEYWOODS CHAPTER

2ND PLACE - HOUSTON CHAPTER3RD PLACE - APRIL AWOL CHAPTER

HIGHEST NET TO GROSS1ST PLACE - HOUSTON CHAPTER 2ND PLACE - LLANO ESTACADO

CHAPTER3RD PLACE - PINEYWOODS CHAPTER

HIGHEST MEMBERSHIP1ST PLACE - ALAMO CHAPTER

2ND PLACE - APRIL AWOL CHAPTER3RD PLACE - GULF COAST CHAPTER

HIGHEST SPONSORSHIP1ST PLACE - PANOLA COUNTY CHAPTER

2nd PLACE - ALAMO CHAPTER3RD place- GULF COAST CHAPTER

HIGHEST JAKES MEMBERSHIPS1ST PLACE - ALAMO CHAPTER

2ND PLACE - NORTH EAST TEXAS CHAPTER

3RD PLACE - PINEYWOODS CHAPTER

BEST NEW CHAPTER1ST PLACE - LLANO ESTACADO UPLAND

CHAPTER 2ND PLACE - GUADALUPE RIVER

CHAPTER3RD PLACE - SMITH COUNTY UPLAND

CHAPTER

BEST WHEELIN EVENT1ST PLACE

PINEYWOODS-APRIL AWOL-GULF COAST2ND PLACE - PEASE RIVER CHAPTER

3RD PLACE - CLAY COUNTY DOVE HUNT

2011 Texas Nwtf State AwardsIf you attended the Texas State NWTF Awards Dinner, January 21 in Mesquite, I hope you will agree with me that it was a super event with a great meal and lots of great fellowship with members from all across our great state. The 200 in attendance strained the facilities just a bit, but it gave everyone a chance to be recognized for great individual accomplishment this past year. Four years ago, Texas ranked number seventeen among the states in terms of dollars raised for conservation (NWTF). This year, Texas was recognized as number six in the rankings.

Alamo Chapter: Highest Gross Income,

Highest Membership, Highest JAKES Membership, Best Overall Texas Chapter

Best Wheelin Event:Three Chapter Partnership:

PineywoodsApril AWOLGulf Coast

2011 Southern Region Volunteer of the Year:

Norm Wade

2011 Eastern Region Volunteer of the Year:

Aubrey Luce

2011 Panhandle Region Volunteer of the Year:

Jeff Bladecki

2011 Overall Volunteer of the Year:

Dale Bounds

Best Overall Texas Chapters 2011:

1st Alamo Chapter - Charlie Klein 2nd Pineywoods Chapter

- Dale Bounds 3rd Gulf Coast Chapter

- Scotty Parsons

The 2011 winners are:

Pineywoods NWTF Chapter

1ST Highest Net DollarsLeft to right ,Terry Wheeler,

Aubrey Luce, Dale Bounds, Gene Sullivan, Gary Brock,

Kim Brock, Kathy Braden, Louis Short, James Morgan

3

2012 NWTF National Convention Awards The 2012 National NWTF Convention was held February 8 – 12 in Nashville with nine Texas State Chapter Board members attending. There were actually 26 in the Texas delegation including board members, award recipients and spouses. State board members attending were: Dick and Dorothy McCarver, Jason McAnally, Tony Hawley, Eddie Hines, Dale Bounds, Marvin Thornton, Aubrey Luce, and Dr. Sam McManus. The Texas State Chapter was recognized with the L.D. Dixon Award placing second behind Pennsylvania in the Highest Total Net/Net Dollars raised category. This is a tremendous accomplishment for a state with only 7,000 members. Former State Chapter President, Dale Bounds, was presented the C.B. McCleod award. This award is presented to a NWTF volunteer who has dedicated his or her life to wildlife conservation and our hunting heritage. To attempt to summarize the contributions of Dale and Kitty Bounds to NWTF would require far more space that I have remaining in this column, but Dale is still active in the Lufkin Chapter, the Texas State Board and is the editor of our state NWTF newsletter. Another Texan, Randy Fugate, TPWD Biologist

in Falfurrias was presented prestigious Joe Kurz Wildlife Manager of the Year Award. This award recognizes wildlife managers who have proven themselves as exceptional stewards of wild turkey populations and habitat. TPWD Game Warden, Matt Thompson, from Quahah was recognized during the meeting as the Texas Game Warden of the Year. And last, but certainly not least, was the presentation of the Henry S. Mosby Award to Warren Ballard, Ph. D. of Lubbock Texas. Dr. Ballard passed away on Jan. 12 before he could receive the award , but his wife, Heather Whitlaw, accepted on his behalf. Photo’s and additional details of these awards can be found in the May/June edition of the NWTF “Turkey Country” magazine.

2013 NWTF National Convention The 2013 NWTF National Convention will be held Feb. 13-17 in the Opryland Hotel in Nashville, Tennessee. This is a truly great event with a super sports show thrown in. And yes, Valentine’s Day falls right in the middle of the meeting, but guys, what better gift could you give your wife than a trip to the Opryland Hotel?

Public recognition of State Game Warden Matt Thompson as the NWTF Wildlife Officer of the Year on March 29th, 2012 at the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission Meeting in Austin Texas. From L-R, Honorable T. Dan Friedkin, Chairman of the Parks and Wildlife Commission; Giles R. “Dick” McCarver, Texas State NWTF Chapter President; Shawn Roberts, NWTF Director of Field Operations - Western U. S; State Game Warden Matt Thompson; and, Carter Smith, Executive Director of TPWD. Photo by Chase Fountain,TPWD

February 9-11, 2012Gaylord Opryland Hotel

Nashville, Tennessee

Dale and Kitty Bounds receiving the C.B. McCloud Award at the 2012 National Wild Turkey Convention in Nashville, Tenn.

Public recognition of Fish and Wildlife Technician James R. “Randy” Fugate as the NWTF Joe Kurz Wildlife Manager of the Year on March 29th, 2012 at the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission Meeting in Austin, Texas. From L-R, Honorable T. Dan Friedkin, Chairman of the Parks and Wildlife Commission; Shawn Roberts, NWTF Director of Field Operations - Western U. S; Giles R. “Dick” McCarver, Texas State NWTF Chapter President; Wildlife Technician Randy Fugate, and, Carter Smith, Executive Director of TPWD. Photo by Chase Fountain, TPWD

Heather Whitlaw accepts Mosbey award for her late husband,

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Our Partners in Conservation . . .The National Forests and Grasslands in Texas

The partnership between the USDA Forest Service and the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) began over 25 ago. Since that time this partnership has grown in official capacity with the signing of a service wide Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The partnership has developed into a model for

accomplishing wildlife habitat improvement on public lands. In 1990 the two partners launched a national program on the National Forests and Grasslands called Making Tracks, affecting over 200 million acres of public lands. This program targets populations and habitats for the wild turkey.

The National Forests and Grasslands in Texas (NFGT) contains over 675,000 acres of public lands in Texas. These lands consist of the Angelina, Sabine, Davy Crockett and Sam Houston National Forests and the Caddo and LBJ National Grasslands. These areas were chosen as targets for wild turkey restoration efforts.

In Feb. 1987 Dr. James Earl Kennamer Chief Conservation Officer of the NWTF arrived in Lufkin Texas with 30 trapped eastern wild turkeys. These birds were sent here from South Carolina. John Frampton, Director of South Carolina Department of Natural Resources and Dr. James Earl Kennamer worked together to secure these birds and begin a historical eastern wild turkey restoration effort for east Texas and the National Forest lands. As we stood in the middle of Alabama Creek Wildlife Management Area on the Davy Crockett National Forest Dr. Kennamer said “These 15 wild turkeys from South Carolina will be released here and the other 15 will be released at Brushy Creek. Let’s hope this is the first of many more that will be brought to east Texas.” NWTF’s Target 2000 was un-officially launched in Texas . In the next ten years Texas Parks and Wildlife Department released 8,000 eastern wild turkeys that were trapped in the eastern wild turkeys range from Iowa to Georgia.

These turkeys were transported and relocated to east Texas and stocked in all suitable habitat . Many on your National Forests in Texas. The NFGT and the NWTF partnership, with local chapter involvement, has emerged as a wildlife conservation force and continue to work towards the preservation of our hunting heritage.Since that historic turkey release on the Davy Crockett National Forest many great conservation projects have occurred. Some of the recient Partnership involvements includes:• Support for prescribed burning on all National Forest and Grasslands

• Longleaf restoration on National Forests• Supporting the Texas State JAKES events• Women in the Outdoors activities• Wheelin’ Sportsman activities• Partnered on the coordination and implementation of the first Sabine National Forest Youth Dove Hunt Scotty Parsons, NWTF/East Texas Regional Biologist has worked with the National Forests and Caddo National Grassland (17,873 acres in Fannin County) on projects that will benefit the eastern wild turkey. According to Scotty “This past February, the NWTF held their 36THAnnual Convention and Sports Show in NashvilleTennessee. The Angelina-Sabine National Forests Stewardship Project, a wildlife habitat improvement project received the “Making Tracks” award for their exemplary efforts. A portion of this project area will also be used for youth hunting and outdoor events and to provide disabled hunters with hunting opportunities. There are only a few public areas in Texas with the Rio Grande wild turkey. The LBJ National Grassland is north of Fort Worth and has 20,313 acres of public land and is home to that species.

According to Gene T. Miller, NWTF Regional Biologist for West Texas and Oklahoma some exciting things are in the works, “The fact that Caddo-LBJ National Grassland is administered as one Forest Service unit out of Decatur, and that Mr. Erik D. Taylor has just been named as the new District Ranger should be very encouraging to all sportsmen and NWTF members in Texas. Comprehensive planning needed with USDA Forest Service staff there and in the Supervisor’s Office in Lufkin, including ways to streamline archeological clearance required for ground-disturbing projects as we plan for stewardship activities (habitat work) on both sides of the grassland unit to benefit wild turkeys will be made much easier with all the work “bundled” together to be done with NWTF subcontractors using monies from timber sale receipts from forested districts in East Texas. Eastern red cedar removal work is needed extensively on the LBJ in Wise County (Rio Grande wild turkeys) and on the Caddo in Fannin County (Eastern wild turkeys). Scotty has started some great work in the past on the Caddo, but the LBJ has not been included to date. So, provided that some administrative hurdles can be overcome, we can do great work to restore habitat on both units for the benefit of not only wild turkeys, but grassland birds, quail, and deer…a win-win situation for all wildlife enthusiasts and public users. This fits with prairie restoration plans in effect with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the Oaks & Prairies Joint Venture to benefit all native grassland bird species, including Cassin’s sparrows, scissor-tailed flycatchers, and bobwhite quail. ”

With all the vast landscapes in Texas, only 4 % is public land, the National Forests and Grasslands in Texas are our treasure. The National Wild Turkey Federation and the National Forests and Grasslands in Texas are committed to making every acre the best it can be for turkeys and other wildlife.We need your help with encouraging a friend to join the NWTF team. Together we can accomplish great things for today and for the future.

Angelina National Forest-Longleaf ridge

By Dale Bounds

5

On January 22nd, 2012, the Texas State NWTF Chapter Board of Directors approved your annual Super Fund Budget of $223,429 with working balance of $169,687 and $53,742 in special reserve. Highlights are: Habitat Enhancement ($54,895) - TPWD Matador WMA upland improvement is $2,895 of $7,895 total, control of shinnery oak to improve nesting cover on uplands (Rolling Plains); TPWD Matador WMA riparian improvement is $5,000 of $10,000 total, control of salt cedar (Rolling Plains); TPWD Alazan Bayou WMA vegetation management (chemical and mechanical) is $7,500 of $26,700 total (Pineywoods); Nueces River Authority Arundo (giant cane) control is $5,000 of $115,719 total, major private land project with multiple funding collaborators (South Texas Rio Grande Plains); Cooperative Biologist support for Scotty Parsons is $25,000 (with TPWD, USDA Forest Service, and NWTF); NWTF Fall seed subsidy is $1,500; and, habitat equipment is $8,000 for items with a minimum of 1:1 match or better. Education ($24,150) - Wild About Turkey Education boxes line item is $7,000; State Newsletter is $14,000 (2 issues per year plus trade show copies); State website is $400 to NWTF; Volunteer leadership training is $1,500 for South Central Regional Rendezvous in Shreveport, Louisiana; and, a small equipment trailer is $1,250 (½ the purchase price) for conducting youth/hunter safety events (donation to THEIA). Scholarships ($18,500) - Local chapter (multiple at $500), statewide (1 at $2,500), and Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society (1 at $1,000) scholarships is $18,500. Youth Events ($15,542) - JAKES events is $3,542 (plus $2,458 in Outreach Fund to be expended first) at $500 each; 4-H Shooting Sports events is $6,000 at $500 each; and, National Archery in the Schools is $6,000 at $500 each. Note: New State Board protocol is that chapters may select 1 event per year

($500 each) out of the three categories and get special approval for a second event (first come, first served). Hunting Heritage ($12,000) - 4-H Ambassador Training Program (with Texas AgriLife Extension) is $3,000; Texas Youth Hunting Program is $1,000 (with Texas Wildlife Association Foundation) for scholarships to hunts; TWA Waterfowl Brigade Youth Camp is $2,000 (intensive youth conservation leadership training);

Hunting Heritage Fund is $1,000; Tom Green County 4-H Shooting Sports Facility is $5,000 of $15,000 total for Phase 1 (tied to Concho Valley NWTF Chapter at San Angelo). This is for youth shooting sports, as well as WITO and other related family events…land donated to the program, and Phase 3 by end of 2015 will be a $300,000 project. This is a not-for-profit facility and is not open to the public. Women In The Outdoors ($4,000) - Statewide WITO events is $4,000 at $500 each. Rewards ($2,000) - Operation Game Thief (with TPWD) is $2,000 for 6 billboards on highways around the state with our logo, join NWTF, website address, and strutting turkey. Law Enforcement ($1,500) - Robotic strutting wild turkey decoy is up to $1,500 for USDA Forest Service law enforcement

activities on the southern end of National Forest lands in East Texas (eastern birds). Research (up to $8,000) - Participation in University of Georgia southeastern wild turkey post-doc investigation is $2,175 (with the other annual ½ from TPWD) and will happen again in 2013 as part of a 16-state effort. Also, participation with private landowners and TAMU’s Institute for Renewable Natural Resources (Dr. Bret Collier) on expansion of RGWT population demography and hen

habitat selection in North Texas with new study sites in Stephens County, Palo Pinto County, and Wise County (LBJ National Grassland), and is $5,000 of a $30,000 project this year.

Wheelin’ Sportsmen ($3,500) - Statewide WS events is $3,500 (at $500 each).

Other ($13,100) - State Chapter rebate is $6,300; Turkey Hunters Care is $3,500 at no more than $250 per chapter (½ of $500 for frozen turkeys); and, TPWD Tech Rep travel to convention and regional tech meetings is $3,300 (for Jason Hardin). National Convention ($12,500) - Up to $12,500 to send Chapter President, volunteer leaders (board members), and award

recipients (C. B. McLeod and Joe Kurz WMY), and State Game Warden/Supervisor to the National Convention this year. Our Texas Super Fund year is January 1st through December 31st of each year. Project proposal submission deadline for next year’s budget is November 1, 2012. Contact Gene Miller (gmiller@nwtf.net) or Scotty Parsons (sparsons@nwtf.net) for a NWTF Hunting Heritage Super Fund Project Proposal form with instructions (electronic submission preferred) and any questions.

Texas NWTF 2012 Super Fund HighlightsBy Gene Miller

Jason Isabelle talks with JAKES at event hosted by the Winstons

Aerial salt cedar spraying on Canadian River

Habitat management for wildlife JAKES working with Boy Scouts

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6

What a difference a year makes. Good spring hunting has been reported from

across the state relative to 2011. Texas had a great hatch in 2010 and those birds are now 2-year old gobblers. The 2010 hatch was so good across most of the Rio Grande range that Texas should have a great hunting season in 2013 despite a lack of production in 2011. The mild winter coupled with the much-needed winter and spring rains has led to an early green-up and earlier than normal breeding and nesting activity. Hens are currently incubating nests and many broods are already roaming the countryside in search of insects. While some forbs are beginning to dry up due to the lack of recent moisture, insects are available and herbaceous cover has greatly improved over last season. If temperatures do not get too high too early, Texas should see excellent recruitment again this year.

In 2011 the TPWD Commission, in response to declining harvest and observations, delayed the opening of the Eastern turkey season by 2 weeks while maintaining the month-long season. As a result, this year’s season opened on April 15th. The Commission also closed 15 of the 43 counties open in 2011 due to a lack of

harvest and turkey observations. Texas’ modern Eastern turkey season began in 1995 when a season was opened in Red River County. Since that time, the opening date has changed several times. The original opening date was the Monday closest to April 20th, and the season ran for 2-weeks. The season was set to coincide with the onset of incubation and was based on several research studies conducted in Jasper and Trinity Counties. Several years later the opening date moved to the Monday closest to April 14th and continued to run for 2 weeks. In 2005, the opening date of the Eastern turkey season was again adjusted and moved to April 1st. That same year the season was expanded from 2 weeks to 30 days. In 2005, the first year with the new season structure, hunters checked the highest number of turkeys reported at TPWD’s mandatory check stations. Harvest was up 20% over the previous season. However, one year later harvest began to decline from the record high of 2005. In 2006 the number of birds checked fell below that of 2004 and declined by 22% from 2005. Harvest continued to decline over the next 5 years,and as of 2011 the number of birds checked at TPWD’s mandatory check stations had declined by 50%. TPWD will review the current season structure in a few years to determine the impact of the 2012 season structure on Texas’ Eastern turkey population. TPWD believes the Eastern turkey decline is directly tied to habitat quantity and quality. Turkeys need large expanses of usable habitat to sustain a population. Many of the properties where Eastern turkey populations are found are not large enough on their own to sustain a population. If the management scenarios at the landscape scale (10,000+ acres) are not conducive to wild turkeys, the population will fail to expand and may become locally extinct. The majority of the areas where Eastern turkeys reside are on private lands. Landowners have numerous goals for their property and often wild turkeys are not a top priority. Fortunately, wild turkeys are very adaptable and can take advantage of numerous habitat types. The key to

sustaining a population is useable space or large contiguous tracks of land where turkeys can move easily. This requires continuity of habitats, open forests, and scattered open pastures. Fragmentation in the form of cities, large roadways, forests choked with dense understory vegetation, and large expanses of agriculture may limit the movement of populations between suitable landscapes. To increase the available habitat for turkeys and other wildlife, TPWD has begun work with numerous partner agencies and private landowners on several prescribed fire initiatives in East Texas. Prescribed fire, when applied by trained individuals, helps to improve habitat quality and quantity. TPWD, in partnership with NWTF, FWS and private landowners, is providing financial, educational and technical incentives to private landowners, so they may begin utilizing prescribed fire as a tool for habitat management. For more information on how to enroll in these prescribed fire initiatives or for technical guidance, contact your local TPWD biologist at the web link below. http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/landwater/land/technical_guidance/biologists/

You can also visit the website for the Northeast Texas Prescribed Fire Initiative for information using the link below.https://sites.google.com/site/netxpfi/

Texas Parks & Wildlife

RTO SP MS A’ NNI DL EE EE RH HW U9 N0

T02

PINEYWOODS NWTF CHAPTER

APRIL AWOL NWTF CHAPTER

By Jason Hardin

Scott Morgan and his trophy Eastern wild turkey Cottingham Hunting Club, Nacogdoches County,

10.5 beard 1 1/8 spurs

2012 was a good year for hunting Rio Grandes Turkeys in Texas.

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Fall 2012 Eastern Wild Turkey SurveyNWTF and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department need your help! We are asking that you please take time to collect turkey population data

during the first two weeks of the 2012 general deer season in the eastern portion of the state (only counties east of I-35). This data will

be used to determine baseline turkey population data for individual counties and to track population growth or declines through the years.

Please cut out the completed survey and mail it to: Jason Hardin, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, 4652 CR 2612, Oakwood, TX 75855.

Fall2012EasternW

ildTurkeySurvey

NWTFandTexasParksandWildlifeDepartmentneedyourhelp!Weareaskingthatyouplease

taketimetocollectturkeypopulationdataduringthefirsttwoweeksofthe2012generaldeer

seasonintheeasternportionofthestate(onlycountieseastofI‐35).Thisdatawillbeusedto

determinebaselineturkeypopulationdataforindividualcountiesandtotrackpopulation

growthordeclinesthroughtheyears.

Pleasecutoutthecompletedsurveyandmailitto:JasonHardin,TexasParksandWildlife

Department,4652CR2612,Oakwood,TX75855.

Date

Time

Start

and

End

County

TurkeysSeen

Notes:Weatherand

comments

*Jakes

Toms

Hens

Unidentified

Total

ExampleAM

6‐9

RedRiver

4

011015

Lightrain‐observedfrom7:30‐

7:47

*Jakesarejuvenilebirds.Distinguishedbyabeard3”longorshorter.

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Research Update: Rio Grande Wild Turkey

As Texas NWTF readers know, the Aggie turkey crew has been studying Rio Grande wild turkey (males and females) here in Texas focusing on understanding how birds select and move through habitat and what types of management actions can be used to create more habitat. As you may remember, in 2011 the region just south of Possum Kingdom

Lake was heavily impacted by wildfire with some areas being completely devoid of residual ground cover for most of 2011. While we all lament the losses associated with the PK fire, it has provided us a unique opportunity to expand our work to this region in monitoring the response of Rio Grande wild turkeys to catastrophic wildfire. Luckily, in spring of 2011, we had expanded our research focus and captured and radio-tagged a few turkeys in the Stephens county region. Therefore we had some information on what conditions turkeys were using before the fire occurred.

Thus far, the nesting season this spring is progressing as I expected with the rains coming (although less than we would have liked). We found our first radio-tagged hen sitting on a nest in mid-April, and by the time you read this, nearly all the hens we have tagged will have at least attempted to nest once. We have seen poults on the ground on our study sites as of today (9 May), and we expect several nests to hatch next week. Currently, Texas A&M University graduate student, Mason Conley, along with Texas Parks and Wildlife biologists, Jesse Oetgen and Jennifer Barrow, are monitoring >40 Rio Grande wild turkeys on 3 study sites in north-central Texas. Each location where we captured and are monitoring turkeys provides a unique view into Rio Grande wild turkey ecology. On our first site, the MT7 Ranch east of Breckenridge, Mason has been tracking the 24 turkeys we tagged this spring, and at the time I am writing (2 May) this, about 65% of the hens (17 hens tagged) had attempted to nest at least once, with some renesting after their initial nests were predated. On our second site, several private ranches north of Strawn, Jesse has been tracking 10 tagged turkeys, and 100% of the hens (9 hens tagged) have attempted to nest at least once. On our third site, LBJ National Grassland, Jennifer has been tracking 7 turkeys and about 50% of the hens (5 hens tagged) have attempted to nest thus far. Each study site was chosen to be unique so we could compare results between areas. MT7 was outside the PK fire complex and provides data for comparing nest success and brooding habitats to birds captured at our Strawn site which is wholly contained within the PK fire zone. Our use of LBJ allows us to compare nest success and habitat use in regions with multiple land uses and more fragmented habitats to regions which have more contiguous habitats such as on MT7. In addition to monitoring nesting activities, 34 of the Rio Grande wild turkeys (both males and females) are fitted with GPS backpacks within the region burned by the Possum Kingdom fire, as well as outside the area impacted by the fire. Some of our preliminary movement data has indicated that birds are spending most of their time in those areas which were lightly burned in a patchwork pattern in riparian corridors where vegetative cover still exists. However, turkeys are using the intensively

burned areas regularly, and we are not seeing any noticeable avoidance of burned areas. Not to forget, even though this update has focused on our work in north Texas, our south Texas turkey research in collaboration with the Temple Ranch, Texas Parks and Wildlife, and the National Wild Turkey Federation is still going strong and we are gathering a host of information on the habitats use for nesting on Rio Grande wild turkeys in

south Texas as well. Overall, it has been an exciting time for the research and habitat management activities NWTF supports here in Texas. Jennifer Barrow, Texas Parks and Wildlife

biologist tracking radio-tagged hens on the LBJ National Grassland.

NWTF_TPWD: Texas Parks and Wildlife biologist James Edwards releasing a GPS-tagged gobbler north of Straw, Texas during spring 2012.

About Dr. Sam:Dr. Sam has been hunting turkeys since 1963. The coming issues of the Texas State NWTF newsletters we will share some of his hunting stories with you.

“The Double Barrel Turkey”Dr. Sam P. McManusAfter deer hunting with a 50 caliber muzzle-loading rifle at Longleaf Farm in Amite County, Mississippi, I thought, “Why not turkey hunt with a muzzle loading shotgun?” So I bought a double barrel muzzle loader with twin hammers. For my first escapade, good friend, Fred III, and his son, F.A., and I went to “Four Corners” and called up three gobblers. When they got within twelve steps, I picked one out and dropped the hammer. It only made a loud click. I had forgotten to put a percussion cap on the nipples. My companions started laughing, and the turkeys spooked and trotted off. I wasn’t going to let that happen again, so Fred and I went on another day to the “Small Wood Bottom” and called up two gobblers. Since I had the muzzle loader, Fred gave me first shot. I shot the legs from under my turkey, then Fred killed his. We ran out to the turkeys, and as mine was sitting with his head up, I took a mighty swing holding the butt of the shotgun. He ducked, I missed, and all I accomplished was throwing the shot package out of the second barrel. Now I only had a club in my hand. My turkey flew and tried to land in a big Field pine. Without legs under him, he couldn’t perch and fell down through the limbs, breaking quite a few along the way. We ran to him, and since Fred had reloaded by then, he finished him off for me. To this day, I have not killed a turkey with that shotgun.

By Dr. Bret Collier, Research Scientist,Institute of Renewable National Resources, TAMU

9

Grapevine, Texas, Saturday, January 14th, 2012:Following a 20 year absence, the Texas State Turkey Calling Championship returned to North Texas in 2012, and was hosted by Bass Pro Shops’ Grapevine store. This year’s event featured five divisions with prizes totaling more than $2,500 in cash, gift cards, and merchandise. In addition, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place trophy plaques were awarded in all divisions.

State Division Winners: “Shaine Nixon Repeats 2008 Performance to win 2012 State Championship” - With a total score of 263, Shaine Nixon of Diana, Texas, yelped, cackled, cut, and keed an impressive win over a field of top level Texas callers. Second place winner, Bob Barnard of Plano (249.5), and 3rd place finisher, Aaron Barton of Lampasas (243.5). Also provided an excellent array of authentic Texas wild turkey sounds. Shaine was awarded top prize money of $500 cash to help with his expenses in representing Texas at the 2013 Grand Nationals in Nashville. In the Open Division, among nine competitors from Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas, Mickel Gammon of Broken Bow, Oklahoma, scored 270 to out-call Texas’ Shaine Nixon (262), and Joey Blackburn (261.5) of Perkins, OK, thereby claiming the top prize of a $400 Bass Pro gift card. Gammon

proved that callers from north of the Red River are definitely a force to be reckoned with. The Friction Division was dominated by Crossett, Arkansas college coed, Emily Oliver, who posted a

score of 252 to win over Plano’s Bob Barnard and Alan Stie of Sand Springs, OK, who tied with identical 244 scores. In the call-off, Barnard took 2nd with a score of 252 to Stie’s 250.5. Emily received a $300 Bass Pro gift card, and was anxious to spend her winnings at Bass Pro, prior to the 6 hour drive back to Crossett. Along with several first-time callers in the Hunter Division, Cade Hayley, Winnsboro, TX, totaled 185 and received a $100 Bass Pro gift card. Hayley narrowly out-scored Davy Beecroft (184) of Corpus Christi and Brian Beauchamp (177.5) of Dallas, who took 2nd and 3rd, respectively. Hayley’s outstanding total of 191.5 also took the Junior (JAKES) Division and racked up a second $100 Bass Pro gift card for Cade. Again, Davy Beecroft (177) took second, while 1st time competitor, Andrew Hoster of Flower Mound, TX, finished a very close third at 176.5. Special thanks to our entire calling contest support folks, led by Score Tabulators Diana Linder & Mindy Bailey. Robert Linder, Larry Linder, Dick Arthur, Jami Linder, Tom Grahmann, and Steve Peters served as judges for the event. Special thanks to Big Billy Kinder of WBAP radio, Dallas-Ft. Worth, who provided pre-event publicity and presented the contest awards.

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TurkeyTurkey CallingCalling CChampionshiphampionship RResultsesults

Grapevine, Texas, Saturday, January 14th, 2012: Following a 20 year absence, the Texas State Turkey Calling Championship returned to North Texas in 2012, and was hosted by Bass Pro Shops’ Grapevine store. This year’s event featured five divisions with prizes totaling more than $2,500 in Cash, Gift Cards, and Merchandise. In addition, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place trophy plaques were awarded in all divisions.

State Division Winners: “Shaine Nixon Repeats 2008 Performance to win 2012 State Championship” - With a total score of 263, Shaine Nixon of Diana, Texas,

yelped, cackled, cut, and kee keed an impressive win over a field of top level Texas callers. Second place winner, Bob Barnard of Plano (249.5), and 3rd place finisher, Aaron Barton of Lampasas (243.5), also provided an excellent array of authentic Texas wild turkey sounds. Shaine was awarded top prize money of $500 cash to help with his expenses in representing Texas at the 2013 Grand Nationals in Nashville.

In the Open Division, among nine competitors from Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas, Mickel Gammon of Broken Bow, Oklahoma, scored 270 to out-call Texas’ Shaine Nixon (262), and Joey Blackburn (261.5) of Perkins, OK, thereby claiming the top prize of a $400 Bass Pro Gift Card. Gammon proved that callers from north of the Red River are definitely a force to be reckoned with.

The Friction Division was dominated by Crossett, Arkansas, college coed, Emily Oliver, who posted a score of 252 to win over Plano’s Bob Barnard and Alan Stie, of Sand Springs, OK, who tied with identical 244 scores. In the call-off, Barnard took 2nd with a score of 252 to Stie’s 250.5. Emily received a $300 Bass Pro Gift Card, and was anxious to spend her winnings at Bass Pro, prior to the 6 hour drive back to Crossett. Along with several first-time callers in the Hunter Division, Cade Hayley, Winnsboro, TX, totaled 185 and received a $100 Bass Pro Gift Card. Hayley narrowly out-scored Davy Beecroft (184) of Corpus Christi and Brian Beauchamp (177.5) of Dallas, who took 2nd and 3rd, respectively. Hayley’s outstanding total of 191.5 also took the Junior (JAKES) Division and racked up a second $100 Bass Pro Gift Card for Cade. Again, Davy Beecroft (177) took second, while 1st time competitor, Andrew Hoster of Flower Mound, TX, finished a very close third at 176.5.

Special thanks to our entire calling contest support folks, led by Score Tabulators Diana Linder & Mindy Bailey. Plus, Robert Linder, Larry Linder, Dick Arthur, Jami Linder, Tom Grahmann,

Submitted by Lou Von Woglom - State Contest Coordinator.

Lou gives a lesson on the slate during pre-contest seminar.

Open Friction Division Winners L-R (1) Emily Oliver, (2) Bob Barnard, (3) Alan Stie, & Presenter, Billy Kinder

Texas State Division Winners L-R (1) Shaine Nixon, (2) Bob Barnard, (3) Aaron Barton & Presenter, Billy Kinder

10

East Texas Region ReportBy Scotty ParsonsEast Texas Regional Biologist1210 Sailfish, Bayou Vista, TX 77563409-739-5553sparsons@nwtf.net

The smell of eastern red cedar is in the air! Work has begun on the 550 acres of eastern red cedar removal project in order to restore a native grassland savannah and prairie landscape on the Cooper WMA. By removing this invasive species, TPWD biologist will be able to initiate a prescribed burning program to maintain these areas in beneficial early successional habitat. Phase 1 of the Gus Engeling Wildlife Management Area Post Oak Savannah Restoration Project is almost complete. All of the timber that was designated for harvest has been cut, the 2.0 mile mowable fire line has been established and the piling and burning of the logging debris is completed. Herbicide application of the hardwood re-sprouts on the 364 acres will begin this summer. The East Texas Prescribed Fire Initiative is a partnership with private landowners, local wildlife management cooperatives, governmental organizations, and non-profit organizations in several designated areas throughout East Texas. The goal of the initiative is to improve wildlife habitat, improve timber and grassland stands, mitigate wildlife losses through reduced fuel loads, and identify prescribed fire educational, equipment, and cost-sharing opportunities. Last year, we signed habitat agreements with 20 landowners that agreed to prescribe burn 5,131 acres. This year, there are three cost share initiatives through NWTF in east Texas. These are the Northeast Texas (Red River and Lamar counties), Bobcat Ridge (Anderson and Cherokee counties), and the Pineywoods (Nacogdoches, Madison, Grimes, Montgomery, Newton, Panola, Polk, San Jacinto, Rusk, Trinity, Tyler, Walker, Houston, Angelina, Jasper, Sabine, San Augustine, and Shelby counties) initiatives. The educational components are designed to inform local landowners, community leaders, and educators about how restoration and enhancement of habitats through the use of fire can provide ecological and quality of life benefits to local communities. The ultimate objective of this initiative is for private landowners to routinely conduct prescribed fires independent of any future financial, material, or personnel support from either government agencies and/or NWTF. Our goal for this year’s prescribed burning cost-share initiative is to exceed 6,000 acres. If you have property located in one of these focus areas and are interested in prescribed burning, please contact me at sparsons@nwtf.net. Texas is currently experiencing its worst drought in more than 100 years. The rainfall deficit, combined with 56 days of 100-plus degree temperatures, has killed thousands of trees, many adjacent to residences, roads, and in areas where the public frequents thus creating unsafe conditions. Over the last year, the National Forests and Grasslands in Texas (NFGT) has responded to hundreds of telephone calls from neighbors about dead and dying trees threatening their homes and other structures. Many of these trees have been cut by Forest Service personnel and independent contractors. The amount of hazard trees to be cut presents an unacceptable increase in exposure to safety risks by Forest Service personnel. It also creates an enormous financial burden to hire independent contractors. To address the high densities of hazard trees along roads, land lines, and near recreation areas, the Davy Crockett and Sam Houston

National Forests are preparing salvages sales to harvest concentrated areas of dead and dying trees. However, this will only address part of the problem as many hazard trees will not be removed by commercial timber sales. These drought-induced hazard trees are a problem on all National Forests lands in Texas, and may get worse if the drought continues. Without action they will continue to be a public safety threat and a hazardous fuel problem near roads, recreation areas, trails, and residential structures. The desired condition is to have fewer hazardous trees, thus reducing damage to private property, threats to public safety, and hazardous fuels. Therefore, the NFGT plan to enter into Stewardship Supplemental Project Agreements (SPAs) with the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) to help address the hazardous trees problem. The NWTF shares a mutual interest and will gain mutual benefit from reducing hazardous trees, which are direct threats to hunters, other outdoor recreationists, and increases the fuel loading in the forest. The increase in fuel loading severely impacts the Forest Service’s ability to prescribed burn, a necessary tool for management of the wild turkey. As a result of collaboration with the NWTF and other groups/individuals, additional service projects were added to this proposal. These service projects include: forest products removal (i.e. cut-tree and leave-tree marking) blackland prairie restoration, non-native invasive plant species control, land line refurbishment, prescribed burning ignitions, prescribed burning support, and, if needed, woody biomass removal and delivery.

Before treatment . . .

After treatment . . .

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West Texas Biologist Report

Spring Greetings from West Texas! Thank goodness we are not as dry as last year. As I write this, Central Texas is having flash floods. I hope everyone has had a good spring turkey season, and the jury is out on how many ground nesting birds we’ll grow in North Texas. Early reports from South and Central Texas indicate the possibility of a very good year (lots of moisture at the right time). I’ve been blessed to hunt Easterns in Louisiana, Rios in North Texas, the Texas Panhandle, and Western Oklahoma, and Merriam’s in Utah; however, I’ve only taken one Rio in Texas and may have one more chance this week. Still, it’s a blessing to be able to go. I hope you have all had opportunities to hunt. Cooperative Conservation Partnership Initiative (CCPI)-Work will continue this year on removal of salt cedar, Eastern red cedar, and Russian olive from additional lands in the project on tributaries along the Canadian River in Hutchinson, Roberts, and Hemphill Counties. We are working with our partners to increase landowner enrollment in the program, but drought and financial uncertainty in the farming/ranching world still seems to be holding up progress a bit. No matter…we are here for the long haul and as NWTF members, you can be proud of these efforts to restore wild turkey habitat, increase native grazing lands, and conserve water. Each one of you is indirectly involved in helping put big-time turkey habitat on the ground in a public-private partnership, which is a good thing for sportsmen and wildlife! We are also working on

other possibilities to partner with Texas Parks & Wildlife Department on upland initiatives across the state which fits well with our new NWTF Upland Program. Stay tuned for more details in another report. Canadian River Cooperative Weed Management Area (CRCWMA) - Common to West Texas and western Oklahoma is our effort to help landowners “stand up” their own local organization called CRCWMA, “of, for, and by the people” to obtain grants for invasive plant removal and riparian restoration on private lands. We continue to make contacts here and across the border in Oklahoma. Oaks & Prairies Joint Venture Management Board (OPJV) - NWTF is involved with this particular Joint Venture which runs from the Texas Hill Country northward through just east-of-center (Cross Timbers belt) in Oklahoma all the way to the Kansas state line. OPJV is about native prairie restoration to benefit grassland birds and all native wildlife which includes quail, wild turkeys, and deer (another fit with our NWTF Upland Program). The all have one thing in common…fire on the landscape. We are working with Rx burn associations in Texas and Oklahoma to advance the cause. Be sure and check out a new website in Texas called Prescribed Fire Portal - Prescribed Burn Alliance of Texas at http://pbatexas.org/. Once again, you can be very proud of having NWTF involvement in a big stretch of country to benefit landowners, habitat, and wildlife, especially wild turkeys. These topics and information may seem repetitive to many of you close readers, but hopefully new readers will become informed about just how much NWTF is doing in Texas. USDA Forest Service has just announced Mr. Erik Taylor as the new District Ranger for Caddo-LBJ National Grasslands in Decatur.

Scotty and I will be meeting with him, his staff, and other supportive partners soon to offer our services in planning and conducting habitat restoration through extensive removal of Eastern red cedar from those lands through a national NWTF stewardship services Memorandum of Understanding. Scotty has done some work on the Caddo (Fannin County) in the past, but the LBJ (Wise County) has not been included to date. We hope to help them with a long term program of habitat restoration for wild turkeys, quail, deer, and grassland birds on your public lands in North Texas. Again, this will be a long process, so stay tuned for future reports in your state newsletter. Final ramblings - Regional Directors Ray Hood and Robbi Vincent (new for Northwest Texas) are “making a hand” for Texas and the NWTF. By the time this is printed, we may have a new Regional Director for East Texas. By the way, if you’ve read this and have questions for me, please contact me at gmiller@nwtf.net and 806/655-9416 (office) and we’ll visit.

By Gene T. MillerRegional BiologistWest Texas & Oklahoma

www.nwtf.org/texas/The Texas State Chapter is pleased to announce that we have a new website. This new site will put us in position to better inform our Texas members of what we are doing in your state. We are very excited about it and how it will bring us up-to-date in online technically and communication.

Please send pictures and articles about local events to our website coordinator. Tony Hawley - fbg710@yahoo.com

EMAIL CONTACT INFORMATIONWould you like to receive the Texas State Newsletter via email? This will help us with costs and also keep you updated on current and immediate

issues. We promise not to bombard you with emails! Please, email information to fbg710@yahoo.com.

Name of Member

Email address: (PLEASE PRINT) Street State Zip

Gene with his Collingsworth County Rio Grande.

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Chapter City Date

North Texas Upcoming Banquets Schedule Clay County Chapter Henrietta June 22, 2012 Wheeler County Chapter Shamrock June 23, 2012 Blackland Prairie Chapter West June 30, 2012 South Plains Lubbock July 20, 2012 Panhandle Feathered Forces Upland Amarillo July 21, 2012 TBD 1 Whitehouse August 4, 2012 Fort Worth Upland Game Bird Fort Worth August 25, 2012 TBD 2 Whitehouse August 25, 2012 WS Red River Longbeards/Pease Crowell November 10, 2012

Chapter City Date Loco Event San Antonio June 6, 2012 Tri-County Longbeards WITO Buckholts June 9, 2012 Sam Houston Huntsville July 7, 2012 Hays County Banquet Dripping Springs July 21, 2012 Pecan Bayou Roast Brownwood August 4, 2012 Lone Star Longbeards Bryan August 9, 2012 Harris County Wildlife Group Houston August 13, 2012 Concho Valley San Angelo August 16, 2012 San Jac Strutters Banquet Coldspring August 18, 2012 Guadalupe River Banquet Spring Branch August 23, 2012 Lost Pines Chapter Rockne August 26, 2012

Central Upcoming Banquet Schedule

Robbi Vincent Regional Director North Texas817-437-3014rvincent@nwtf.netwww.nwtf.org/texas/

North Texas

Hello from North Texas! Robbi Vincent here, and I am very excited to be meeting all of you. It has been a very fast paced start, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. All of you have been great to work with. I would like to think I have a lot of new friends that I just happen to work with now. It’s been so fast paced lately, I haven’t got to spend much time in the woods. It seems you all love to keep me updated with your great hunts. This position brings me a since of pride in knowing all of you, as well

as many others are getting to share the story of the outdoors with each other. Our hunting heritage is something very near and dear to me, so keep the stories coming. Banquets and outreach events are going very strong. It’s only because of everyone’s hard work that we see these types of results. Well, for now I must be driving on. There are a lot of miles to cover in the great state of Texas, and especially in the North Texas area. Thanks for all you do, and I look forward to talking to all of you soon. I am more than happy to be a part of the NWTF and NWTF Texas family.

Evan Brown Regional Director East TexasPlano, TX 75074214-868-7524ebrown@nwtf.netwww.nwtf.org/texas/

I am Californian by birth, but Texan at heart. I have lived in Texas since 1989 and have never looked back. I grew up in Plano and met my wife Jourdan at Plano East Senior High School. From there we went on to attend Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas. I graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration. My passion for the outdoors and love of

hunting increased dramatically while living in the Piney Woods of East Texas. My wife and I currently reside in Plano with our seven year old black Labrador, Toby. I am very excited and feel honored to have the opportunity to work for such a great organization. I have very high hopes for the Eastern territory of Texas. I look forward to starting new chapters in the Dallas area and continuing to build the existing ones. If you have any questions or would like to get involved with the NWTF, please feel free to contact me.

“If you love what you do, you will never work a day in your life.” - Confucius

Ray Hood Regional Director South TexasSan Antonio, TX 78260830-998-0441 • Fax: 210-617-7357rhood@nwtf.netwww.nwtf.org/texas/

South/Central Texas

Well what a difference a year makes. I can say this on so many levels. First let’s look at the weather. Last spring was such a disaster that it could only get better. We have been so blessed this spring with lots of rain and great green conditions. By the sheer volume of pictures I have seen this spring looks like all of you had a great hunting season. On the Nwtf front a lot has changed in Texas this past year. First and foremost congratulations to Shawn Roberts for his promotion to the District Field Supervisor of the Western Region of the US. We have also had a great addition to our team in the Northeast section of Texas with the hiring of Robbie Vincent. Robbie hit the ground running and has made a huge difference for us. It has been a great challenge for us this year with the vacancies of the other two areas in the state right at the peak of our banquet run. We made it and can only say thank you for all of you that were so patient with Shawn and me as we scrambled to get all the banquets covered. Banquets have been great so far this year, and I see a great year for Texas.

I would like to thank all of you for your continued support to our mission and for all the time and monetary support you give this wonderful organization. We all have choices where we can put our resources, and I thank you for allowing myself and the NWTF to be a part of your life. Until we meet again, thank you and be safe out there.

East Texas

Chapter City DateHopkins County Longbeards Sulphur Springs June 9, 2012 Pineywoods WITO Pine Island June 16, 2012 WS 8th Bream Buster Challenge Lufkin August 8, 2012 Deep East Texas Jasper August 4, 2012 Pineywoods Local, TX Lufkin August 18, 2012 Northeast Texas WITO Avinger October 13, 2012WS Angelina National Forest Event Zavalla December 7, 2012

South Texas Upcoming Banquet Schedule

13

Dorothy McCarver, State Volunteer Women in the Outdoors Coordinator

Do you love the outdoors, but just can’t find the time to enjoy it? Are you too busy with too many chores and schedules? We have the perfect escape for you! Come on gals and live, laugh, and learn and lighten up! Try something new and exciting in a setting that encourages comfort and fun outdoors! It’s like a Day Camp for Grown-ups! Bring your mom, sister, friend or co-worker and attend a Women in the Outdoors event! What is the Women in the Outdoors Program or WITO? It is an outdoor educational program that provides hands-on outdoor activities for women ages 14 and up. A woman does not have to be a hunter, hiker or even a very active in order to appreciate being outdoors. Classes are taught by expert instructors with many opportunities for beginning and advanced participants to learn new skills or hone the ones they already have in a relaxed non-threatening atmosphere. Ladies, you can even “shop” at an event and enjoy a catered lunch. Events offer a variety of classes such as fishing, canoeing, blacksmithing, outdoor digital photography, dutch oven cooking, crafts, shooting sports, ATV’s and Learn Your Landscape, Outdoor

Habitats, Birding, Hunting, Welding, Woodworking, Wild Game Cooking, Trailer Backing, Tractor Driving, Turkey Calling, GPS and Geotracking and many others. Texas Chapters: A portion of your Hunting Heritage Banquet dollars that you raised this year has been designated for local outreach programs. So let’s get started and host a Women in the Outdoors Event in your area! Why? Hosting a WITO event in your area gives everyone an opportunity to get involved with the outdoors. All it takes to start an event is someone who is willing to take the lead and a committee that can be made up of NWTF members and community volunteers. Share your desire to host an event with your Regional Director and download your own copy of the Outreach Event Manual from the outreach section of the NWTF website. This manual contains everything you need to know to have a successful event. There is also a power point presentation that is available for your use. I encourage you to attend a WITO event to get ideas, to network, and hopefully “get hooked”. Mark your calendars and plan to attend these upcoming Texas Women in the Outdoors events. Ladies, here is your escape from your chores, carpools, duties or jobs. You deserve a day outdoors! Hope to see you at a Women in the Outdoors Event!

Be a Woman in the Outdoors! Make tracks to an Outdoor Skills Workshop near you.

Tri-CounTy Longbeards ChapTerJune 9, 2012

Hilliard Ranch near Davilla, TexasContact: Monica Sobotka 254-760-2784

sobotkm@yahoo.com Nikki Roberts 254-493-2987

Nikki.roberts@att.net

pineywoods ChapTer June 16, 2012

Pollock near Lufkin, TexasContact: Kim Brock 936-422-4843

gkbrock@hughes.net

paso deL norTe ChapTer September 25, 2012

Ft. Bliss Rod and Gun ClubEl Paso, Texas

Contact: George Foret 915-532-8081

norTheasT Texas ChapTerOctober 6, 2012

Hearts Bluff Game Ranch- Talco, TexasNear Mt. Pleasant, Texas

Contact: Dorothy McCarver 903-717-8670Dorothy.mccarver@yahoo.com

On Saturday, April 21st, 2012 the Cuthand WITO - Franklin County Beard Busters held a Ladies Shooting Event at the Cuthand United Methodist Church. During the morning hours the ladies took classes in beginning shotgun, handgun, and archery. After lunch they participated friendly competition in each category and prizes were awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place. Lunch was cooked on the grounds by The Deer Shop from Como, Texas, and during lunch our new Texas State President, Dick McCarver, spoke to the ladies about the National Wild Turkey Federation. Prior to the WITO event the Cuthand WITO committee also helped with the JAKES event at the opening ceremonies of the Texas Big Nasty Hog Contest and ran the ladies table at the Mt. Vernon Beard Busters NWTF banquet. It has been a great spring season for the Cuthand Women in the Outdoors!

First Texas Turkey bagged by Dorothy McCarver, State Volunteer WITO Coordinator and Northeast Texas Chapter member at

Bryson, Texas opening day. This Rio came into her line of fire weighing 19 pounds with 1 inch spurs and an 8 inch beard.

14

Have you ever been so close to a strutting tom that he could hear you breathe? That was the case for my guide, Mike DeRonde, and me on the morning of March 31, 2012.

I became involved with the April AWOL Chapter of the NWTF five years ago. At the time, I was curious as to what the NWTF was about, and why they needed me to be part of our local chapter. I had never even killed a turkey myself. Five years later, after being involved first hand with many different events, I am now president of our local chapter and the JAKES Coordinator on the Texas State Board. The National Wild Turkey Federation provides more to the wildlife and the community than any other conservation organization I have seen. This year, I was fortunate to harvest my first ever turkey, a West Texas Rio Grande. I purchased the hunt at our 2012 Annual Texas State Awards Banquet. After auctioning off hunt after hunt at our local banquets, I was excited about buying one myself, and it was most likely the best decision I could have made. After making our reservations with Justin Parker, Ranch Manager and Wildlife Biologist at the Non-Typical Ranch located in Tennyson, TX, we began counting down the days to our hunt. I was accompanied on the hunt by Danny McKnight, my father-in-law. Since neither of us had ever harvested a turkey before, we were hoping for the hunt of a lifetime, and we got it. We were greeted at the gate by Justin and followed him up a long winding road through the 2300 acre high-fenced ranch to the top of a hill where their 5000 sq./ft. lodge awaited us. We settled in that

evening and made our plans for the morning hunt. I was to go out with Mike DeRonde, Ranch Foreman and Head Guide, and he assured me that we would be seeing some very nice birds. The next morning arrived, and I could hardly sit still in the lodge. Anticipation had almost gotten the best of me. I felt as though I was 12 years old again and going deer hunting with my dad. We headed out and walked the 150 yards from the UTV into our hunting blind in the pitch black of the morning. As dawn began to break, the gobbles of nearby turkeys filled the air. Within minutes, the first turkeys made their appearance in front of us: a hen and a jake. A moment later, we could see three nice toms in the distance. They came within about 60-70 yards, then turned and walked straight away from us. After realizing that all of the other turkeys headed in the opposite direction from the roost tree, Mike asked me if I wanted to go put the stalk on the three gobblers that had given us the slip. With the point of my finger and the nod of my head, we were off. Walking as quickly and quietly as we could, we slowly closed the gap on the gobblers. Mike would call to them, and with their response, we could judge how far away they were. At 80 yards, we saw the gobblers. In full-fledged stealth mode, we both dropped to one knee and awaited the perfect opportunity. I found an opening in the bushes that would make for a nice 45 yard broad-side shot. As the toms headed that direction, Mike gave one last purr with his trusty old box call. The birds had left my sight, but Mike whispered to me, “They turned. They’re coming this way.” I quickly adjusted my gun and shooting sticks to prepare for the shot. When they popped out, they were a mere 30 yards and closing. After sizing

up the turkeys, I could tell I wanted to shoot the one in the rear because his beard was almost touching the ground. They kept coming closer and closer, and I had no shot at the bird I wanted. At a breath taking 15 yards, I was forced to make a crucial decision by shooting the second turkey in line instead of the one in the rear. The result would prove to be outstanding! The tom ended up being a double-bearded gobbler!! The beards measured 10” and 9 ¾”. We quickly agreed that this hunt would be one for the books, and a story to tell for generations to come.This hunt for me was more than just killing my first turkey; it was a milestone for my hunting future. The NWTF has impacted my life in ways I can’t describe. Even seeing the three gobblers approach that beautiful Saturday morning symbolized the NWTF by bringing its logo of the three walking toms to life. This was definitely a hunt of a lifetime. Let Justin and Mike help you experience

your adventure at the Non-Typical Ranch. Call Mike at (325)716-0703 and ask him about the numerous hunts they offer. You will not be disappointed in the accommodations they have to offer, and I would like to personally thank the whole staff and owners for allowing the hunt to be donated to the Texas State Chapter of the NWTF. It is truly people like these who help our organization thrive!!

The Hunting Experience of a Lifetime by Craig White

Craig White’s multiple beard Rio Grande bird.

15

a

Your Pineywoods & April AWOL NWTF Chapters are Co-Hosting

the 2012 Texas State JAKES Event on September 15th at

Winston Land & Cattle Co. 7120 US 59 South

Nacogdoches County

7120 US 59 South

TEXAS STATE JAKES APPLICATION • SEPTEMBER 15, 2012Enclose $10.00 per application: includes T-shirt, JAKES magazine & membership.

Name Age StreetCity State Zip CodePhone number This release form must be signed by a parent or legal guardian. I release the Pineywoods Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation and U.S. Forest Service from liability that may occur during the September 15, 2012 JAKES event. Liability and Photo Release:Parent or Legal Guardian Signature

10

All boys and girls under age 17 are invited to attend. You will have an opportunity to participate in events like: Archery, Target Shooting, Hunter Safety, Hunter Ethics, and much more. The event will start at 9:00 am and end at 2:00 pm, Lunch will be provided. The $10.00 fee will cover your NWTF JAKES membership. Fill out the application to the left if you are interested.

TEXAS STATE JAKES APPLICATION • SEpTEmbEr 12, 2009Enclose $10.00 per application: includes T-shirt, JAKES magazine & membership.

Name Age T-Shirt SizeStreetCity Statephone number Zip Code This release form must be signed by a parent or legal guardian. I release the pineywoods Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation and Winston Land & Cattle Co. from liability that may occur during the September 12, 2009 JAKES event.

Parent or Legal Guardian Signature

mail application to: JAKES • 206 Rosedale • Lufkin, Texas 75901 936/637-4972

Your Pineywoods, April AWOL, & Houston County NWTF Chapters are Hosting the 2009 Texas State JAKES Event on September 12, 2009 at theWinston Land & Cattle Co.

JAKES get hunter safety information from David Young

Volunteer Jason Kartye shows youngster how to shoot a target.

All JAKES applicants will be eligible to win a youth doe hunt on the Winston Land and Cattle Co. in Nacogdoches County. Drawing will be September 12, 2009.

Angelina County 4-H Student Instructor Kody Havard teaches a youngster about archery.

All boys and girls under age 17 are invited toattend. You will have an opportunity to participate

in events like: Archery, Target Shooting, HunterSafety, Hunter Ethics, and much more.

The event will start at 9:00 a.m. and end at 2:00 p.m. Lunch will be provided. The $10.00 fee will cover your

NWTF JAKES membership. Fill out the application and mail to the address below if you are interested.

youthSmall 6-8

Medium 10-12Large 14-16

adultSmallLarge

X-Large2X-Large3X-Large

Please circle T-Shirt size:

10

All boys and girls under age 17 are invited to attend. You will have an opportunity to participate in events like: Archery, Target Shooting, Hunter Safety, Hunter Ethics, and much more. The event will start at 9:00 am and end at 2:00 pm, Lunch will be provided. The $10.00 fee will cover your NWTF JAKES membership. Fill out the application to the left if you are interested.

TEXAS STATE JAKES APPLICATION • SEpTEmbEr 12, 2009Enclose $10.00 per application: includes T-shirt, JAKES magazine & membership.

Name Age T-Shirt SizeStreetCity Statephone number Zip Code This release form must be signed by a parent or legal guardian. I release the pineywoods Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation and Winston Land & Cattle Co. from liability that may occur during the September 12, 2009 JAKES event.

Parent or Legal Guardian Signature

mail application to: JAKES • 206 Rosedale • Lufkin, Texas 75901 936/637-4972

Your Pineywoods, April AWOL, & Houston County NWTF Chapters are Hosting the 2009 Texas State JAKES Event on September 12, 2009 at theWinston Land & Cattle Co.

JAKES get hunter safety information from David Young

Volunteer Jason Kartye shows youngster how to shoot a target.

All JAKES applicants will be eligible to win a youth doe hunt on the Winston Land and Cattle Co. in Nacogdoches County. Drawing will be September 12, 2009.

Angelina County 4-H Student Instructor Kody Havard teaches a youngster about archery.

Our new JAKES Take Aim shooting gallery will be featured . . .

16

Shawn Roberts with a pair of Rio Grande birds from Forde County, Texas

Dale Bounds with his first Merriam Turkey, Black Hills National Forest, South Dakota.

Bryan Pool, 11” beard with 3/4” spurs. I could not have done it without my long-dog-bird-hound. Nacogdoches County

Hunter’s Herb Parsons accompanied with his grandson Nicholas Powers harvested a nice 2 year old Rio Grande turkey with a 9” beard and 7/8” spurs.

Sandy Linton with a Rio Grande harvested in Frio County. Sandy bagged 2 nice birds on this hunt.

David Perkins with a fine Kindall County Rio Grande bird.

17

Larry Noble’s Dos Haches gobbler Lou Stagg with his Nebraska Merriam Lou Von Woglom and his Dos Haches Rio South Texas

Ron Mize, Angelina National Forest 13/16 “ spurs

10” beard

Matt Taylor, Louisiana longbeard 21 lbs 10” beard 1 1/8” spurs

Hunter Linton with one of his two Frio County gobblers harvested with Pete Ray in Piersall,Texas.

Fannin County birds harvested by Dan Scott. Dan’s bird had a 9 1/4” beard.

Texas State ChapterNational Wild Turkey Federation206 RosedaleLufkin, Texas 75901

NonProfitOrganization

U.S. POSTAGEPAID

Lufkin, TexasPERMIT #230

Robert Linder3302 Vista Lane, Marble Falls, TX 78654(h) 830-693-9515 (c) 713-825-0425Rlinderhaus@aol.com

Dorothy McCarverWomen in the Outdoors425 Tennison RoadMt Pleasant, TX 75455 (h) 903-717-8670 (c) 903-577-2674dorothy.mccarver@yahoo.com

Eddie HinesPO Box 487 Somerville, TX 77879979-412-3140eddie.hines@tpwd.state.tx.us

Shane WrightBox 1166, Canadian, Texas 79014shane.wright@mrcpvf.com

Dale BoundsNewsletter Editor 206 Rosedale DrLufkin, TX 75901936-635-2116dkbounds@suddenlink.net

Larry NobleVP - East Texas Region2705 Red Hill DrCollege Station, TX 77845(h) 979-693-2024 (c) 281-639-9185 Larry_Noble_turkeyman@yahoo.com

Billy Snow4-H Shooting Sports Coordinator231 Earl Garrett, Suite 200Kerrville, TX 78028(h) 830-634-2569 (w) 830-257-2177bdsnow@windstream.net

T. W. GarrettScholarship Coordinator8015 Plum Grove RoadCleveland, TX 77327281-399-0822 twghcg@aol.com

Mike Fuller2010 East Jackson StParis, TX 75460903-784-0627mdfuller@suddenlink.net

Dale MosesVP - East Texas Region3827 FM 1753Denison, TX 75021903-463-1115 (c) 903-819-0126texomawarden@gmail.com

Marvin ThorntonWheelin Sportsmen Coordinator 1485 Lilac LaneGilmer, TX 75645(c) 903-238-3006wtbigdade@yahoo.com

Dr. Sam McManus203 Cove Creek LaneHouston, TX 77042713-785-0257samPM@sbcglobal.net

Tony Hawley404 E. CollegeFredericksburg, TX 78624830-889-5819fbg710@yahoo.com

Jason McAnallyVP - Panhandle and West TexasBox 274Canadian, TX 79014(806) 255-5789jason.mcanally@mrcpvf.com

Craig WhiteJAKES Coordinator342 Abilene St.Nacogdoches, TX 75964936-552-1942craigswhite@yahoo.com

Aubrey Luce265 SloanLufkin, Texas 75901(936) 414-5368a_sluce@consolidated.net

2012 Texas State Chapter Board of Directors

Regional Field Staff Shawn RobertsDirector of Field Ops, Western Region1018 Samuel Lane, Mt Pleasant, TX 75455903-573-4570 sroberts@nwtf.net

Scotty ParsonsEast Texas Regional Biologist1210 Sailfish, Bayou Vista, TX 77563409-739-5553sparsons@nwtf.net

Gene T. MillerRegional Biologist – West Texas & Oklahoma712 Foster Lane, Canyon, TX 79015806/655-9416 Office/Fax 806/316-0232 Mobilegmiller@nwtf.net

Ray HoodRegional Director – South TexasSan Antonio, TX 78260830-998-0441rhood@nwtf.net

Robbi VincentRegional Director – North Texas817-437-3014rvincent@nwtf.net

Evan BrownRegional Director – East Texas214-868-7524ebrown@nwtf.net

Jason HardinUpland Game Bird Specialist TPWD4652 CR 2612, Oakwood TX 75855(w) 903-322-2770jason.hardin@tpwd.state.tx.us

Dick McCarver - President425 Tennison Road, Mt Pleasant, TX 75455

(h) 903-717-8670 (c) 903-563-4748gr.mccarver@yahoo.com

Jennifer Barrow - Treasurer121 CR 3131, Decatur, TX 76234

(w) 940-627-5475 (c) 940-393-8908jbarrow1994@gmail.com

Lou VonWoglom - Secretary14906 Oak Bluff Court, Houston, TX 77070

281-320-8388lvonwoglom@comcast.net

www.nwtf.org/texas/

Conserve. Hunt. Share.