ATLANTA— Billy Yargus of Ewing, Mo. won First place in the 2008 Wild Turkey Bourbon/National Wild Turkey Federation Grand National Calling Championships in Atlanta, Ga., Feb. 22 to Feb. 24.

Yargus has been competing in the Seniors Division for 10 years, and while he has done well, he hasn't won the Wild Turkey Bourbon/NWTF Grand National Seniors Division.

"I can't describe the feelings, but it feels great," Yargus said. "I'm lost for words. There's no other feeling like this in the world. It's fantastic."

In addition to a championship trophy, Yargus won a championship ring and $5,000.

ATLANTA — Each year, the National Wild Turkey Federation honors a corporate partner that has been outstanding in its efforts to promote wild turkey conservation and hunting.

This year, the NWTF awarded Cabela's the Corporate Achievement Award during the Federation's annual Convention and Sport Show at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, Ga., Feb. 21 to Feb. 24.

Committed to inspiring people to enjoy and conserve the great outdoors, Cabela's is a long-time supporter of the NWTF and its outreach programs.

"Dick and Jim Cabela and the entire team at Cabela's have set the standard for manufacturers understanding the importance of supporting conservation," said NWTF CEO Rob Keck. "Ultimately, this giant in outdoors catalog and retail sales is dedicated to America's hunting heritage and conservation legacy, and they give a lot back to keep that heritage alive."

Atlanta — The National Wild Turkey Federation honored 1st Sgt. Richard Todd Campbell with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources as the 2008 NWTF Wildlife Law Enforcement Officer of the Year.

Campbell was recognized during the Saturday Awards Banquet at the NWTF's annual Convention and Sport Show held Feb. 21 to Feb. 24 in Atlanta, for his efforts in conserving America's wildlife.

"Without the tremendous level of support for wild turkey conservation from wildlife officers such as Sgt. Campbell, restoration efforts and wildlife management strategies would never have succeeded," said Rob Keck, NWTF CEO. "We want to ensure that they receive the thanks and recognition they so richly deserve."

Campbell received the South Carolina State Wildlife Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award, making him eligible for the NWTF's National Wildlife Law Enforcement Officer of the Year.

MOHAVE COUNTY, Ariz. — Fifty-five Rio Grande wild turkeys were recently released in a remote section of northwestern Arizona. The National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) and its partners are hoping the event will usher in a new era for wild turkey hunters in the Grand Canyon State.

The release, which occurred January 16 in an isolated section of the Black Rock Mountains approximately 15 miles south of the Utah border, is significant because it adds a new subspecies of wild turkey to Arizona. In addition to Rio Grandes, the state is home to Merriam's and Gould's subspecies, which are thriving.

According to Scott Lerich, NWTF regional biologist, the turkeys were trapped near Beaver, Utah, an area with very similar wild turkey habitat to that of the Black Rock Mountains.

ATLANTA — Two icons of wild turkey conservation were presented with an award named for a pioneer in wild turkey restoration during the National Wild Turkey Federation's annual Convention and Sport Show in Atlanta.

Fred Evans and Michael Seamster received the inaugural Wayne Bailey Lifetime Achievement Awards for their dedication to wild turkey conservation and management.

"It is very appropriate that Fred and Mike receive the very first Wayne Bailey Lifetime Achievement awards," said Dr. James Earl Kennamer, NWTF senior vice president for conservation programs. "Both were influenced by Bailey and continued his work for wild turkeys."

ATLANTA — Sam Crouch, Sr. of Edgefield, S.C., was honored with the C.B. McCleod Award during the National Wild Turkey Federation's National Convention and Sport Show in Atlanta, Ga., Feb. 22 to Feb. 24.

Crouch, a NWTF Life Member, has a long history with the Federation.

"Sam is a lifelong conservationist who fostered the volunteer spirit locally," said Rob Keck, NWTF CEO. "He set the tone for chapters across the country."

In 1974, Crouch became the first President of the S.C. State Chapter. He was instrumental in organizing the Edgefield Chapter, which was the first NWTF chapter in S.C. He also played a major role in the decision to relocate the NWTF from Fredericksburg, Va. to Edgefield.

"The Edgefield community and all of our NWTF volunteers and staff owe Sam a debt of gratitude for his leadership in our formative years," commented Dr. James Earl Kennamer, NWTF's senior vice president for conservation programs.

Annapolis, Maryland – House Bill 655, commonly known as the Minimum Age Hunting License bill was withdrawn today through the efforts of the leadership of the Maryland Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus and the Maryland Legislative Sportsmen’s Foundation. For now, the time-honored practice of passing down the tradition of hunting from one generation to another is less threatened and Maryland continues to have no minimum age for a young person to obtain a hunting license after successfully completing a Hunter Education Course.

HB655: The ‘Hunting License – Minimum Age’ Bill would have prohibited the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) from issuing a license to any youngster under the minimum age of thirteen. The danger in legislation like this is that by the time a youngster becomes old enough to legally obtain a hunting license; other interests may occupy his or her time - which is just what the anti-hunting crowd was hoping for.

“Maryland is an urban–minded state. This was a legislative fight we have been anticipating for several years, but one we were committed to winning once the day arrived. The 2008 session was indeed that day. The bill’s demise speaks volumes to the influence and respect for the Caucus and the Foundation in the Halls of Annapolis. Tomorrow is a different day and we will remain ever-vigilant – on behalf of Maryland’s sportsmen’s community – in protecting our traditional rights as sportsmen… hunting young is one of those rights” stated Bill Miles, Vice-Chairman of the Maryland Legislative Sportsmen’s Foundation.

ATLANTA— More than 25,000 hunting enthusiasts headed to Atlanta Feb. 21 to Feb. 24 for the National Wild Turkey Federation's annual Convention and Sport Show, an event that celebrates the popular pastime of nearly 3 million North American outdoorsmen and women.

Inside the Georgia World Congress Center, the site of the four-day event, hunters heard the yelps, putts, clucks, purrs and gobbles of professional and amateur wild turkey callers as well as entertainment from some of the top names in country music during the convention.

The Wild Turkey Bourbon/NWTF Grand National Calling Championships, as well as taxidermy, art and callmaking competitions were featured events.

Attendees also gathered for meal functions complete with keynote speakers, live entertainment, raffles and auctions offering everything from custom-made wild turkey calls to a Chevrolet Tahoe and hunts in Africa, Alaska, New Zealand and many other places.

MISSOULA, Mont.—New world champion elk callers from California, Idaho, Montana, Nevada and Washington were crowned during the weekend in Reno.
 
Competition was held in six divisions as part of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation’s 24th Annual Elk Camp & Hunting, Fishing and Outdoor Expo. The event was held for the third straight year at the Reno/Sparks Convention Center. Next year the championships will move to Fort Worth, Texas.
 
The RMEF Dickies/CamoWest World Elk Calling Championships began with preliminary rounds on Friday. Top callers advanced to final rounds on Saturday.
 
More than 50 callers from 10 states competed.