Pennsylvania State Chapter - National Wild Turkey Federation

History of the State Chapter and the Wild Turkey

The Pennsylvania State Chapter - National Wild Turkey Federation, formed in 1975, is a non-profit wildlife organization concerned with the wise management and conservation of the wild turkey in Pennsylvania. We are a state chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF). The Pennsylvania State Chapter was formed to:

• Establish and maintain public interest in the wise management and conservation of the wild turkey as a valuable natural resource.

• Develop education awareness programs about the wild turkey and its environment.

• Increase wild turkey populations in Pennsylvania.

• Preserve and protect Pennsylvania dwindling wildlife habitat.

• Develop and promote sportsmanship and ethical behavior among wild turkey enthusiasts, hunters, and other users of the out-of-doors.

• Strengthen the spirit of cooperation between landowners and users.

• Curb wildlife poaching and unlawful hunting.

• Develop a working relationship with the state wildlife agencies to improve wild turkey management principles, fund habitat improvement projects, and educate both the hunting and non-hunting public on wildlife management practices.

• Preserve and enhance the turkey hunting tradition.

The NWTF was formed in 1973. NWTF headquarters are in Edgefield, South Carolina. Click on any of the NWTF links on this state chapter home page to get to the NWTF home page. The NWTF is the only non-profit wildlife conservation organization dedicated to preserving the American wild turkey as a valuable part of America’s heritage. NWTF is comprised of state and local chapter affiliates.

NWTF Mission

The Conservation of the Wild Turkey

and the Preservation of the Turkey Hunting Tradition.

• Promote sound wildlife programs which benefit wild turkeys on public, corporate, cooperative, and private lands.

• Counsel and strong support for organizations involved in state and local conservation problems which endanger the future of the wild turkey.

• Restocking, through the trap and transfer programs, suitable wildlife habitat with

• Develop and promote sound research projects providing useful knowledge of the

• Promote Conservation, Wildlife Management, and Environmental education at all education levels on a nationwide basis in the form of public service announcements, press releases, brochures, posters, wildlife bulletins, and other communications.

• Develop a solid working relationship with state and federal wildlife and conservation agencies to promote and achieve the purpose and objectives.

The history of the Pennsylvania State Chapter is rich in the achievement of its goals and objectives, commitment to improving wild turkey management principles, and dedicated to educating the hunting and non-hunting public on the wild turkey and its environment. The eastern wild turkey in Pennsylvania is a fascinating success story and clearly shows the benefits of a well-operated wildlife management program. Throughout the latter years of the 20^th century the wild turkey has increased its population through an improved habitat structure and conservative seasons and bag limits. During the early years of the 20^th century, chiefly because of careless timbering practices and a rapidly-expanding human population, wild turkey population numbers were reduced drastically.

Fortunately, through public interest in the wild turkey, and the trap and transfer program instituted by the Pennsylvania Game Commission, this awakened concern was responsible for reestablishing wild turkeys in every corner of the state.

The modern history of the Pennsylvania wild turkey starts in 1873 when a law was passed to establish a closed season for the period of January 1 to October 1. A daily bag limit of 2 was designated in 1887, and a season limit was set in 1905. In 1915 bag limits of 1 per day, 1 per week and 2 per season were fixed. In 1917, the season limit was set at 1 bird. In 1967 the spring gobbler season was established with a bag limit of 1 bird. Today the bag limit is 1 bird in the fall and 1 bird in the spring.

These regulatory efforts combined with better logging practices and the releasing of farm-raised turkeys resulted in substantial population increases in the early decades of the 1900’s. But these pen-raised turkeys grown and released by the Pennsylvania Game Commission were not consistent with sound wildlife management practices. It was discovered that the birds were subject to disease, frequently quite tame, locally concentrated, and expensive to raise.

The introduction of the wild turkey trap and transfer program, with the elimination of the per-raised turkeys, during the 1970’s and 1980’s has resulted in a healthy and growing population of wild turkeys in the state. The decision by the Pennsylvania Game Commission to close the turkey farm and rely solely on the trap and transfer program has proved a timely and proper wildlife management decision.

Today the Pennsylvania State Chapter - National Wild Turkey Federation is working to add even further to an already expanding and successful wildlife management story. Human encroachment and subsequent habitat loss continue to be the principal forces affecting the state’s wild turkey resource. This proud bird has an impressive history.

Only through the dedicated efforts of groups like the Pennsylvania State Chapter and the Pennsylvania Game Commission can its future be guaranteed.

Pennsylvania State Chapter - National Wild Turkey Federation

The First Ten Years

1975-1985

Formed June 1975 in State College, PA

Dr. David Wanless first State Chapter President

"Turkey Talk" established as official State Chapter newsletter

First edition of "Turkey Talk", Vol. 1 No. 1 -October 1975

Incorporated as a non-profit organization - November 1975

First Annual Convention in Williamsport, PA

at Sheraton Motor Inn, April 10, 1976

First Annual U.S. Open Turkey Calling Championship Contest,

Blain, PA - August 14, 1976

Support Trap and Transfer Program as a wildlife management tool for

increasing wild turkey populations - June 1976

Called for closing pen raised game farm and releasing pen raised turkeys

in Pennsylvania - July 1976

Hosted First National Wild Turkey Federation Annual Meeting and Convention,

Hershey, PA - February 4,5,6, 1977

Pennsylvania State Chapter collectible patch and pin available - May 1977

Proposed state-wide $5 spring turkey stamp - May 1977

‘Make Habitat - A Habit’ poster and habitat brochure established - 1977

Membership tops 1,000 - November 1977

Director meeting schedule established for January, June, August, and November

with the Annual Membership Meeting and Convention

in March - 1978

Winters of 1977 and 1978 prove to be severe on wild turkey populations,

State Chapter establishes winter feeding program and long range tree

and shrub planting projects to aid wild turkey survival - 1978

Pennsylvania goes over 2000 membership mark - June 1979

Establishes $100.00 reward for information leading to

arrest and conviction of any person or persons illegally killing

a Pennsylvania Wild Turkey - August 1978

NWTF Executive Vice President Tom Rodgers unveils plans

for construction of Wild Turkey Research Center

in Edgefield, South Carolina - March 1979

Established guidelines for Local Chapter development - 1979

Local Chapter #1 established as first Pennsylvania Local Chapter - 1979

Allegheny Mountain Local Chapter established as second Local Chapter

Executive Committee established - 1979

State Chapter works with Lou Hoffman, publisher of

Northwoods Publications, to produce "Spring in Penn’s Woods" - 1979

"Wanted Fed or Alive" poster created to bring continued

awareness to habitat enhancement projects - October 1979

Fifth Annual Convention and Meeting, Embers Quality Inn, Carlisle, PA

First Masters Invitational Calling Contest - February 29, 1980

Pennsylvania Chapter calls for PGC to re-evaluate fall turkey season

dates in the North Central Division - July 1980

Pennsylvania Game Commission closes Turkey Game Farm - 1980

Annual dues structure established with NWTF, your membership now

includes NWTF, Pennsylvania State Chapter and Local Chapter

for one membership fee - 1980

Tenth Local Chapter established - Michaux-Yellow Breeches - 1981

"HILLSIDE TAKEOFF" by Ned Smith is the FIRST

Pennsylvania Wild Turkey Stamp Print - July 1981

First color cover for "Turkey Talk" - July 1981

Winter Feeding and Rifle/Shotgun issues debated - 1982

Pennsylvania State Chapter and Local Chapter #1

are awarded NWTF Chapter of the Year awards - 1982

Wapiti Roost Chapter is 20^th Local Chapter in Pennsylvania - 1982

Tree and Shrub habitat and nursery project established by

Michaux-Yellow Breeches and Perry County Local Chapters - 1982

Pennsylvania State Chapter joins advisory committee and supports research project

working on fluorescent orange safety issue - 1982

Experimental habitat project established on Seven Mountains in

cooperation with Bureau of Forestry - 1982

Memberships, Stamp and Print Program, Hunter Safety and Education,

Local Chapters, Conventions, and Habitat are major projects

promoted by the State Chapter.

Board of Directors visit Turkey Mountain Lodge for board meeting - 1983

NWTF membership tops 5,000 - 1983

Local Chapter Presidents meeting - July 1983

Allegheny National Forest and several Local Chapters work together

to establish Habitat Improvement Project - March 1983

NWTF Hunter Safety Module becomes primary safety education

program used by State and Local Chapters throughout the state - 1984

Pennsylvania’s first NWTF fund raising banquet,

Laurel Highlands Committee - April 1984

Hunts Run Habitat Project, Cameron County, completed - 1984

Pennsylvania State Chapter and Pennsylvania Game Commission

hold first meeting to discuss policies and programs pertaining to the Wild Turkey

in Pennsylvania - May 24, 1984

State Chapter seeks additional turkey hunter safety

in the PGC Hunter Education Course

Overlapping archery and fall turkey seasons major concern and

not supported by Pennsylvania State Chapter for safety reasons

State Chapter calls for improved turkey harvest count for

spring and fall seasons

State Chapter supports turkey hunting stamp

PGC reports Trap and Transfer of wild turkeys is major success story

in Pennsylvania

Habitat is the key to survival of the wild turkey in Pennsylvania

PGC has no present plans to mandate fluorescent orange for turkey hunting

as not enough information about the effectiveness of wearing orange to

prevent accidents in the turkey seasons has been established

"Turkey Talk" Vol. 10, No. 1 - October 1984

Ron Sandrus, Altoona, PA is serving as President of the

Pennsylvania State Chapter during our Tenth Anniversary year

Autumn Olive comes under fire as a potential noxious species,

Pennsylvania State Chapter supports Autumn Olive as one

of the best wildlife management shrubs for

wild turkeys and all wildlife

Pennsylvania State Chapter testifies in front of the

Senate Committee on Environmental Resources supporting the

removal of Autumn Olive from the noxious species list - 1985

(Senate Committee voted to delete Autumn Olive from the list)

PGC license increase proposal

does not include a turkey hunting stamp

Tenth Annual Meeting and Convention - Marriott Hotel, Harrisburg, PA

Convention Co-Chairman are Don Heckman and Terry Hyde

March 15 and 16, 1985

"Turkey Talk" Editor Bud Erich bids farewell after 10 years

as chief writer and producer of the State Chapter Newsletter,

Dan Sullivan takes over as Editor

Pennsylvania State Chapter President, Dan Roessner,

takes over the leadership position of the State Chapter

as we prepare to move into our second decade

The Second Decade Highlights

1986-1995

Conservation Print established as fund raising project

Pennsylvania State Chapter begins its commitment to the

NWTF Super Fund Project by supporting the Fund Raising Banquet program

Super Fund Projects lead to successful completion of Hunter Safety and Education,

Land Acquisition, and Habitat Improvement

State Chapter membership tops 10,000

as the Fund Raising Banquet system and Super Fund Projects

lead to continued growth and leadership of the NWTF as a major nation-wide

wildlife conservation organization and the Pennsylvania State Chapter as a

state-wide wildlife conservation organization leader

Hunter Safety, Hunter Education, Hunter Ethics and Fluorescent Orange

safety requirements and mandates are major issues

that will be debated in the next ten years

Pennsylvania State Chapter gets their first NWTF Regional Director

Mandatory Orange and Turkey Hunting - January 1992

20^th Annual Meeting and Convention on March 17 and 18, 1995

at the Days Inn Conference Center, Allentown, PA

Pennsylvania Game Commission and Pennsylvania State Chapter

combine forces to produce a turkey hunting safety poster to be

distributed for the 1995 fall turkey hunting season

The Third Decade Highlights

1996-Present

Allegheny National Forest and Pennsylvania State Chapter combine

efforts with other conservation organizations to expand habitat

improvement projects and the annual JAKES program

Pennsylvania State Chapter moves the flock to the information age

by establishing an Internet Web Site,

www.go2pa.com/panwtf

Pennsylvania gets a second NWTF Regional Director

Pennsylvania goes over 11,000 membership mark

Pennsylvania Game Commission spends Target 2000 funds

on wild turkey projects across the state

Pennsylvania State Chapter goes over the Million dollar mark

for funds raised and spent on Super Fund projects

PGC License increase takes center stage in 1996 and 1997,

Turkey Federation seeks a $5 Spring Turkey License

Send mail to panwtf@go2pa.com with questions or comments about this web site.
Copyright © 2000 Pennsylvania Chapter- National Wild Turkey Federation
Last modified: November 20, 2003