Bloomfield New Mexico NWTF Chapter

Each year, New Mexico’s Tres Rios Chapter partners with the Navajo Nation Department of Fish and Wildlife to host a youth deer hunt. Twenty young hunters from the Navajo Nation receive their hunter safety certification and go on a three-day hunt with an adult mentor. The Tres Rios chapter also is involved with wildlife habitat projects on the reservation.

Several of the chapter committee members are active in New Mexico Hunter Education. The chapter also gives scholarships each year and supports local 4-H Shooting and the New Mexico Catch a Dream program that takes terminally ill youth hunting.

The Tres Rios Chapter was chartered in 1999.

Trailblazer Adventure Program

The Trailblazer Adventure Program was designed by the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance to engage youth and their families in outdoor activities through Adventure Days. The NWTF’s partnership with USSA allows local Turkey Federation chapters the opportunity to attend Trailblazer events and introduce youth and families to the excitement of turkey hunting and conservation. It is a great place to reach out to local youth, particularly Boy Scouts who often attend Trailblazer events. Chapters are encouraged to set up information booths at the events and recruit youth to their local JAKES events.

For information about Trailblazers or to see a list of events, go to www.trailblaz eradventure.org. Contact USSA if you are interested in being a part of an event. Let’s join forces to get more children outdoors!

Boy Scouts of America NWTF

Mandy Harling
JAKES Coordinator

A 12-month chapter

It was 2:00, early one Saturday morning. I shared the bed with my two small children who had somehow charmed their way into the rare treat of crawling between Mommy and Daddy for the night. As I stared at their peaceful faces, thoughts of their future stirred in my head. As a mother, I can’t help but wonder and worry.

My mind drifted to the national convention that wrapped up the week before. I felt a tingle of excitement as I reminisced about my seventh convention, not counting the ones I attended before I became an NWTF employee. In my opinion, this year’s event was by far the best one: a bigger show floor with more exhibitors, more seminars, auctions, raffles and, most importantly, more opportunities for our volunteers.

I thought of the people I encountered at the show, both familiar faces of dedicated volunteers and new ones I met in person for the first time. I realized there is a common thread in the quilt that makes up the NWTF — the passion of its people.

Federation volunteers aren’t just enthusiastic about turkeys and hunting; they are passionate about the future of your kids and mine. Time after time, I’ve heard volunteers say they became part of the NWTF because of what we, as a group, do for not just youth, but for people with disabilities and women.

Sure, some of them love the thrill of a live auction and mingling with fellow turkey hunters at a Hunting Heritage banquet. But, for many of them, the NWTF is more than just that.

I met a family this year in Nashville. It was their first NWTF convention. They began their involvement with the Federation by attending a local JAKES event several years ago. Then, to support the local chapter’s efforts, they attended the annual banquet. Before long, they were on the committee for the both the banquet and JAKES day.

Their growing involvement led them to our convention, and they were instantly amazed when they stepped inside the Opryland Hotel. They heard turkey calling from all directions, saw volunteers reuniting with friends from other states and chapters, and listened to seminars from how to hunt turkeys to hosting an outreach event.

This family was not the first to tell me they learned about the NWTF through a JAKES day. Hosting outreach events is a fantastic way to build event committees and chapters.

Don’t just hold a banquet one time a year and call it good. Become a “12-month chapter.” Show your community how the NWTF does good things for people throughout the year, not just turkey hunters in spring. In return, expect to see more folks at your next banquet who have a vested interest in everything the NWTF stands for — even our smallest, youngest members.

I can rest easy tonight knowing there is an organization of people who are fighting for their future and mine. — Mandy