EDGEFIELD, SC — The Jack Robertson Invitational Shoot celebrated its 24th consecutive year of raising funds for hunting and shooting sports on May 23, this year in honor of the 50th anniversary of the National Wild Turkey Federation and the organization’s commitment to wild turkey conservation and the preservation of our hunting heritage. .
Originally established by the National Shooting Sports Foundation, the event began as a fundraiser for the NSSF for its Hunting Heritage Trust. As representative of the firearms industry and community, the gathering quickly became a high-profile gathering of firearms manufacturer leaders, making it a highly anticipated spring event.
Jack Robertson, a notable former NSSF employee, played a pivotal role in shaping and expanding the organization. After his retirement, the invitational clay sporting event was named in his honor in recognition of his contributions. Robertson was present at this year’s event and participated in the shooting activities along with three generations of his family.
Since its inception, the event has maintained a tradition of sharing its proceeds with various organizations, including USA Shooting, 4-H, and the Youth Shooting Sports Alliance. This year, in honor of the NWTF 50he Anniversary, proceeds from the event will support the NWTF JAKES (Juniors Acquiring Knowledge, Ethics and Sportsmanship) program, which has earned recognition for its exceptional work across the country.
To further emphasize the importance of this recognition, NWTF Co-Executive Director Jason Burckhalter attended the invited photo call and spoke with the shooters, sharing information about the organization’s history and highlighting its promising future.
Nearly 100 shooters attended the event held at the Ten Mile River Preserve in Dover Plains, New York. Dave Baron of Baron Engraving has assisted with the event since its inception. Baron, along with his employees, volunteer their time and effort to support the event. Additionally, he takes donated items for the event and engraves them to give the items more auction value. Baron, a Virginia native, is a member of the NWTF National Board of Directors.
“I would like to thank the donors who did so much to make this event a success; together, we can make a difference to engage the next generation,” Baron said. “Today’s youth need to fall in love with the outdoors so they are ready to be stewards of the wild game and open spaces we hold dear!”
Donations for this year’s event were at an all-time high, with more than 20 firearms and thousands of dollars in equipment donated. These items were the centerpiece of an exciting auction that followed the photo shoot and invitational luncheon.
Proceeds generated from this year’s Jack Robertson Invitational Photo Shoot will play a vital role in creating valuable opportunities for young outdoor enthusiasts to explore and appreciate outdoor recreational opportunities. Recognizing the importance of fostering a passion for the outdoors and hunting in our youth, the event’s fundraising efforts aim to ensure that the next generation is actively involved in conservation efforts and the preservation of shooting sports.
About the National Wild Turkey Federation
Since 1973, the National Wild Turkey Federation has invested more than half a billion dollars in wildlife conservation and has conserved or improved more than 22 million acres of critical wildlife habitat. The organization continues to advance wildlife conservation, forest resiliency, and robust recreational opportunities across the US by working beyond borders at the landscape scale.
2023 is the 50th of the NWTFhe Anniversary and an opportunity to push the organization’s mission into the future while honoring its rich history. for his 50he Anniversary, the NWTF has set six ambitious goals: positively impact 1 million acres of wildlife habitat; raise $500,000 for wild turkey research; increase membership to 250,000 members; dedicate $1 million to education and outreach programs; raise $5 million to invest in technology and the people of NWTF; and raise $5 million to build a $50 million endowment for the future. Find out how you can help us achieve these lofty goals.