Pennsylvania NWTF Wild Turkey State Super Fund Projects.

Administered jointly by the NWTF, its state chapters and state wildlife agencies, the Wild Turkey Super Fund is used for projects that support the conservation of the wild turkey and preservation of the hunting tradition.

Nationally, NWTF chapters and cooperating partners have raised and spent over $175 million dollars for wild turkey conservation.

Since 1985 more than $3,206,546 has been raised and spent by Pennsylvania chapters on projects within the state. More than $346,893 has been spent in 2003 alone.

A sampling of these projects is provided below.

Habitat Enhancement· Spent $1,627,481 on habitat improvement projects.

· maintenance and development of brood habitat

· wildlife openings

· prescribed fire

· tree planting

· riparian restoration

· water development projects

· control of invasive plant species

· support for seed subsidy and conservation seed programs

· Habitat enhancement projects have impacted more than 264,899 acres within the state.

· 5,955 acres of wildlife openings

· Purchased equipment for habitat management including:

· 1 trailer

· 8 grain drills

· 1 tractor

· 4 sprayers

· 3 cultipackers

· 3 planters

· 3 spreaders

· 1 disk/harrow

· Projects were completed on:

· Allegheny National Forest

· Bald Eagle State Forest

· Bunker Hill Public Area

· Delaware State Forest

· Forbes State Forest

· Hemlock Hollow Public Recreation Area

· Lackawana State Forest

· Michaux State Forest

· Moraine State Park

· Moshannon State Forest

· Mount Pisgah State Park

· Raystown Lake Management Area

· Rocky Ridge State Park

· Spring Valley Park

· Sproul State Forest

· Susquehanna State Forest

· Tiadaghton State Forest

· Tioga State Forest

· Yellow Creek State Park

Education· Spent $242,194 on educational programs and literature including scholarships, education boxes, 4-H and teacher workshops.

· Awarded 93 scholarships.

· In 2003, 26 scholarships totaling $8,600 were awarded to graduating high school seniors that have an interest in hunting.

· Donated more than 528 education boxes to area schools.

· Spent $29,162 on educational projects for volunteers and professionals including:

· volunteer leadership workshops

· Wild Turkey Woodlands field days

· state web sites and newsletters

· Purchased 90 educational CD-ROMs.

JAKES· Spent $153,280 to introduce youth to outdoor activities, conservation and hunting.

· Sponsored 206 JAKES Conservation Field Days throughout the state.

Hunting Heritage· Spent $144,850 to protect and promote the hunting tradition including contributions to the U.S. Sportsman’s Alliance and the National Shooting Sports Foundation.

Hunter Safety· Spent $192,554 to support hunter safety classes and initiatives within the state.

· Purchased hunter safety materials and equipment, including interactive shooting systems.

Women’s Programs
· Spent $59,970 on programs, materials and equipment to introduce women to the outdoors, hunting and conservation.

· Conducted 106 Women in the Outdoors events throughout the state.

Rewards· Spent $5,587 to protect wild turkeys and other wildlife through support of state sponsored reward programs, the printing of reward signs and reward payments.

Management· Spent $21,110 on wild turkey management.

· operation of wild turkey check stations

· hunter success and satisfaction surveys

· completion of wild turkey management plans

· support of law enforcement activities

· Purchased equipment to support law enforcement and management activities including:

· ATV’s

· weight scales for check stations

· survey/surveillance cameras

· gates to limit vehicular access

Land Purchase· Spent 306,150 to purchase 25,223 acres of land or conservation easements to preserve wildlife habitat and provide additional hunting areas.

Research· Spent $49,854 on wild turkey research.

· Purchased equipment related to research such as radio telemetry equipment.

Wheelin’ Sportsmen· Spent $8,650 to provide opportunities for the disabled to participate in outdoor activities and learn about wildlife conservation.

· Conducted 7 Wheelin’ Sportsmen events.

Other· Spent $175,206 on other projects including organizational dues, travel expenses to professional meetings, special NWTF projects, and chapter rebates.