Who was it that once said, "To talk about conservation and not talk about water is just dry conversation."

As the NWTF celebrates its 4th Annual Conservation Week, we would be remiss to not talk about the incredible importance of water and its integral role to the NWTF's mission to conserve the wild turkey and preserve our hunting heritage.

NWTF regional biologists Annie Farrell and Clayton Lenk, Western Water Specialist Travis Smith and Director of Conservation Operations Central Jared McJunkin sit down with NWTF Storyteller Hannah McKinney to talk about the NWTF's Waterways for Wildlife Initiative and other projects geared toward improving the element that connects us all: water.

Taking its support of wild turkey research into new territory, the NWTF recently established the first-ever National Wild Turkey Federation Distinguished Professor position with the University of Georgia's Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources.

Coming on the heels of the NWTF officially naming Dr. Mike Chamberlain as the chair of this position, the NWTF's Paul Campbell sits down with the Wild Turkey Doc himself and Mark Hatfield, NWTF national director of science and planning, to talk about the landmark announcement and what it means for wild turkeys.

Learn more about the NWTF's investments in research.

Paul Campbell and Pete Muller of the NWTF are joined by Leslie Thompson, the "Niche to Meet You" podcast host, to talk about her new miniseries that was just launched this past week covering wild turkey conservation.

While Thompson chronicles her journey to learn about the history and conservation of our cherished bird and the people who play an important role in continuing one of America's greatest conservation success stories, there are few spoilers about the story she tells in her four-part series. You'll have to check out the series on your own to learn all the details.

Her website teases the series as "a 4-part mini-series about the weird, wonderful Wild Turkey and the effort to conserve it. It's an important story about mending seemingly irreparable gaps and changing the world."

Photo Credit: Leslie Thompson

Jesse Warner, the NWTF's Northeastern R3 coordinator, is on location in Mobile, Alabama for the 2024 R3 symposium where more than 220 R3 professionals gathered to engage in and discuss hunting and shooting sports participation.

Warner is joined by Bre Bashford, Georgia R3 coordinator, and Michael Addison, Nebraska R3 coordinator, to recount their spring slates of education and outreach successes, talk about the need to grow the ranks of those who support the outdoors pursuits and more!

Visit www.nwtf.org to learn more about the NWTF's dual mission to conserve the wild turkey and preserve our hunting heritage.

📸 :Zach Brewer

That's a wrap! Turkey season is over and we're joined by Beau Brooks and Maggie Williams to talk their favorite moments from the season, traveling for turkeys and more.

Cover Photo by Casey Lyon.

Become an NWTF member here.

Conservation is contagious! On this episode of the Turkey Call All Access Podcast we're talking with the NWTF North East R3 Coordinator, Jesse Warner, NWTF National R3 and Relevancy Coordinator Morgan Evans and Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife R3 Coordinator Astrid Huseby about all things R3.

R3 stands for recruitment, retention and reactivation. Whether that's outreach through mentored hunts, JAKES days or other efforts, R3 is a core part of the NWTF mission.

On this episode of the Turkey Call All Access Podcast, we're talking the 200 year cicada hatch! This convergence of two periodical cicada broods only happens about every 200 years and we are lucky enough to witness it in our lifetimes. Colton Zirkle of the Missouri Hunting Heritage Federation and NWTF District Biologist talk the life cycles of cicadas, their impact on turkey recruitment and more.

Learn about MHHF here.

Get connected with NWTF Events here.

On this episode of the Turkey Call All Access Podcast, we're talking with Jonathan Wilkins, hunting guide, turkey fanatic, writer and cook. We cover everything from Kentucky Burgoo to DIY hunting vans. He is the owner of Black Duck Revival, a lodge in Arkansas, which you can learn more about here.

Get connected with an NWTF Chapter in Arkansas here.

In this episode of the Turkey Call All Access podcast, we're talking with James and Cody Harrison of Harrison Custom Calls about the oldest calling competition in Missouri, insights into the competition calling world and more!

Find local calling competitions here

On this episode we're with the Hunting Public as they talk hunting pressured turkeys. From strategies on how to deal with hunting pressure to calling tips, there's something useful for everyone!