EDGEFIELD, SC — The NWTF Houston Chapter accepted the Best Opening Event Award during the NWTF 50th Anniversary Celebration at its 47th Annual NWTF Convention & Sports Show, sponsored by Mossy Oak.
“As the Texas WITO coordinator, my passion lies in introducing women to the sport of hunting, conservation and all things outdoors,” said Jessica Fitch, a Houston Chapter volunteer. “It has been a joy to watch women with little knowledge or interest grow up to love hunting, fishing, shooting, hunting, etc. We have now expanded our outreach efforts to youth. Our first year has been a success! We have welcomed over 100 children for hunter education, introduced 12 children to duck hunting and organized a successful hunt for disabled youth. As always, these events could not be successful without our dedicated volunteers and partnerships.”
The Best Inaugural Event Award is given to chapters that have hosted an exceptional hunting heritage event for the first time, including JAKES, Wheelin’ Sportsmen and Women in the Outdoors.
The Houston Chapter received the award for its inaugural JAKES Day, which was attended by over 150 attendees. Like all NWTF JAKES events, the fun day was designed to excite and interest youth in the outdoors by offering educational classes, time in the field, reptile handling, proper dressing of a deer, and more. interesting activities.
A variety of partners collaborated with the chapter to make the event a success. The Texas Department of Wildlife and Parks provided educational hunting, fishing, and archery classes. The Texas Youth Hunting Program provided a field deer demonstration, and Texas Snakes and More provided a reptile education seminar.
The event offered the tools to teach youth and their parents the importance and awareness of being an outdoorsman and woman. Youth who participated in the event are now eligible to be selected for the TWPD and TYHP sweepstakes hunts.
“Keeping our events fun and engaging is vital to creating the next generation of hunters,” said NWTF Co-Executive Director Kurt Dyroff. “We are proud to recognize the Houston Chapter for hosting an enriching new event that provided youth with hands-on opportunities to engage in outdoor activities.”
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.