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For more information, contact: Bob Kasun, Pa. Chapter of National Wild Turkey Federation public relations, 814-942-3990, or bobkasun@winbeam.com.

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PANWTF touts 2004 Super Fund projects

 

Sixty projects across state affected by $190,000 in habitat monies.

 

Monday, Feb. 28, 2005

The Pennsylvania Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation performed 60 projects with Hunting Heritage Super Fund money in 2004.

The statewide organization spent more than $190,000 on habitat enhancement projects.

 

Close to 2,500 acres of Pennsylvania Game Commission game lands, state parks and forests and private land open to public hunting were positively affected by the projects in 48 different counties across the state.

 

Carl Mowry, Pennsylvania NWTF Board of Directors chairman and Pennsylvania chapter president, singled out the habitat work in the Allegheny National Forest as one of many rewarding projects.

 

“I think we had great projects, but the one I liked the most was the work we did in the Allegheny National Forest,’’ Mowry said. “It was the first project allowed in several years due to lawsuits against them from organizations not wanting to disturb the forest. But the cases got dismissed in January last year allowing habitat work to happen in much needed areas.”

 

The PANWTF also completed three habitat projects in state forests like Michaux State Forest.

“Continued habitat enhancement and new habitat work is being done on forest openings on Michaux State Forest to improve wild turkey nesting, brooding and feeding areas. Michaux-Yellow Breeches, Adams County Longbeards and Fort Chapters Local Chapters provide man time and funding to complete these habitat projects,’’ said Don Heckman, WMU 5A Wild Turkey Force – Michaux State Forest.

 

The Pa. Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation also partnered with the Pennsylvania Game Commission on 38 projects, spending more than $83,000. The chapter routinely partners with state and federal agencies to enhance wildlife habitat and improve hunting opportunities.

“This strong partnership between the Pennyslvania Game Commission and PANWTF helps tremendously with improving habitat not only for the wild turkey, but for all wildlife species,’’ said Mary Jo Casalena, PGC turkey biologist.

 

In 2004, habitat projects included creating turkey brood habitat and feeding areas, planting fruit and nut producing trees and shrubs, planting conifers for winter habitat, renting equipment and purchasing lime, seed and fertilizer for maintaining existing wildlife openings, fencing orchards and trees from deer and the NWTF's Seed Subsidy Program.

 

“Nowhere in the United States is there a chapter that has dedicated more of its assets to habitat enhancement work,’’ said Bob Eriksen, a NWTF Regional Biologist. “The Pennsylvania Chapter [of NWTF] spends more than $180,000 annually on habitat improvement projects designed to attract wild turkeys to state owned lands and build their populations on those lands. That work benefits not only the wild turkey resource, but also all hunters in the commonwealth who utilize those state-owned lands. The Pa. Chapter sets the standard for habitat work in the NWTF.”

 

All totaled, the Pa. Chapter of the NWTF spent more than $325,000 on habitat projects, JAKES Days, Youth Field Days, Women in the Outdoor Events, Wheelin’ Sportsman Events, scholarships, school boxes and safety and education items.

 

The NWTF Pennsylvania chapters' support has never wavered. Since 1985, they have spent more than $3.5 million through the Hunting Heritage Super Fund.

 

“In no other state have chapter members raised and spent more than $3.5 million on projects to benefit the wild turkey and assure the continuation of our American hunting tradition,” Eriksen said.

 

Pennsylvania has 72 chapters representing 22,000 volunteers, which makes it the seventh largest membership base in the NWTF. Local chapters host banquets to raise money for the NWTF’s Hunting Heritage Super Fund.

 

"The Pennsylvania hunters are interested in more than hunter success," said Rob Keck, National Wild Turkey Federation CEO. "They wanted wild turkeys to thrive and expand across the state."

 

For more information about Pa. Chapter of NWTF, please visit the Web site, www.panwtf.com, or contact your local Pa. Chapter of the NWTF.