EDGEFIELD, SC — The National Wild Turkey Federation has awarded Richard Mann the Mentor of the Year award for his commitment to the R3 movement, bringing new hunters to the field, and being a determined and passionate resource for those interested in venturing into the woods. .
“Honestly, I got a lump in my throat when the president of the Washington State Chapter, Russ McDonald, told me [I was Mentor of the Year]Mann said. “While I don’t mentor for recognition, there is something special about peer recognition. For me, there is a team of people who make what I do possible: my wife, Liliane, who puts up with my obsession with these birds; my hunting companions of 33 years, with whom I have shared lessons learned in the field; large landowners who trust me and generously share their property; and the trainees (and parents) who place their trust in a complete stranger.
“There’s nothing like the look on a new hunter’s face when the roost wakes up to daylight, a bird lands 10 feet away, or that gobbler answers a call. I know you are hooked! The harvest, as long as it happens, is the icing on the cake. Mentoring, when possible, should be an ongoing process, with the goal of passing on knowledge and skills so that a student can do it on their own.”
Mann accepted the Mentor of the Year award for 50 years of the NWTFhe 47th anniversary celebrationhe NWTF annual convention and sports extravaganza, sponsored by Mossy Oak.
A member of the NWTF for 30 years, Mann has been instrumental in developing and sustaining hunter recruiting and mentoring in Washington, helping to establish and orchestrate the first Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife turkey mentoring camps. /NWTF in 2015, which continue to this day. day.
The state chapter relies on him for all aspects of classroom presentations on hunting. Mann’s background in wildlife management and biology allows him to explain hunting, wildlife behaviors, and conservation in an understandable yet comprehensive way.
His field experience and enthusiasm for turkey hunting translates to the trainee/students and increases their enthusiasm for hunting. The people he mentors leave with the confidence that they can go out and try turkey hunting on their own, and in most cases, past trainees follow up the following spring to discuss their first solo hunt.
In addition, Mann has held various positions within the Washington State chapter of the NWTF, including treasurer, Save the Hunt coordinator, and vice president.
“We commend Rich’s enthusiasm for turkey hunting and his desire to share it with others, not out of recognition but out of genuine passion,” said NWTF Co-Executive Director Kurt Dyroff. “His talent and dedication are incredible and we are proud to recognize Rich with the prestigious Mentor of the Year award.”
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 NWTF he anniversary and an opportunity to push the organization’s mission into the future while honoring its rich history. for his 50 he 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.