Having helped establish huntable populations of wild turkeys in almost every state, the National Wild Turkey Federation is shifting its focus to improving habitat.
Since 1973, the NWTF has concentrated on restoring wild turkeys to their traditional range and establishing them in new territories. Terry Thompson, president of the Arkansas chapter of the NWTF, said those goals are accomplished. The ongoing challenge in coming years, Thompson said, is ensuring that turkeys have places to live.
"We're losing wildlife sustaining habitat at the rate of an area one-third the size of the state of Tennessee per year," Thompson said. "We are committed to raising $1.2 billion over the next seven to ten years to conserve and enhance more than 4 million acres of essential upland wildlife habitat."
In Arkansas, wildlife habitat is the casualty of urban sprawl and rapacious timber harvesting, Thompson said. A sterling example of the former occurred recently when Mark Hedrick of Little Rock watched a wild turkey collide with a car while flying across Interstate 30 near Bass Pro Shops. The bird was likely displaced by the clearing of habitat at the I-30/I-430 interchange.
Timber harvesting has been a boon to wild turkeys on my hunting club in northern Grant County. Clearcuts have created grassy, brushy fields that provide good feeding and brood rearing habitat for turkeys. They also like the thinning that has taken place in the older pine plantations.
Of course, the fields have all been planted with pine seedlings. As they grow up, the fields will make excellent turkey nesting habitat for a year or two, but eventually they'll grow too thick and woolly and will become wildlife deserts.
"There's hardly any timber left in the Saline River bottoms anymore," Thompson said. "We've got about 3 million acres of national forest. You can drive to it from just about anywhere, and I'm thankful for it, but it really hurts my feelings when I look out my back door and see what used to be quality habitat turned into saw briar thickets."
Turkeys aren't the only wild animals to suffer.
"Think of all the squirrel habitat that's lost," Thompson said. "We used to have miles of walkable timber all through these bottoms, with oak trees as big as your kitchen table. You could run your dogs and hunt squirrels, but now that's all gone. That part of it is overlooked."
Thompson said the NWTF is also working to recruit and retain 1.5 million new hunters over the next decade. Hunters comprise about 6 percent of the U.S. population, but they pay for more than 80 percent of wildlife conservation, Thompson said.
Also, if hunter numbers dip below a certain thresh-hold, they will cease to be a viable political bloc. Without sportsmen advocating for wildlife conservation, America's wildlife resources will not have a voice in the legislative and administrative arena.
"If we can get that number to, say, 10 percent, we can double wildlife conservation efforts," Thompson said.
To that end, the NWTF puts a lot of effort into its youth programs, which include events like Jakes days. There will be a Jakes Day event March 7 in Rison from 8 a.m. to noon, and another one in Scott on March 14 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
"There's usually 100-150 kids at that event," Thompson said.
More information on the Arkansas NWTF, its mission and its activities is available on its Web site at nwtf.org/arkansas, or on its Facebook page at facebook.com/ArkansasNWTF.
RV SHOW
If you're in the market for a new travel trailer or recreational vehicle, you'll find a large selection at the 39th annual Arkansas RV show today through Sunday at the Statehouse Convention Center.
Ken Griffey, the lead promoter for the show, said that for consumers, the RV market is stronger than ever.
"Sophisticated satellite systems, LED lighting and power awnings used to be available only on top-of-the-line units," Griffey said. "Now those are standard features on entry level units."
Arkansas is an RVer's paradise, he added.
"We have 52 state parks, and RVing is a great use of your recreational dollar," Griffey said. "RVs provide plenty of opportunities to connect with family and friends."
Show hours will be 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday. More information is available at dgattractions.com.
Sports on 02/06/2015