2017 State Award Winners
Awards presented January 20, 2018.
To nominate someone for an individual award, please contact Bert VanderWeele or Jon Gray
Click here for past years' recipients.
2017 Individual Award Winners
Outstanding Service
Jack Price (Whiteford Valley Chapter)
Doug Redder (Highbanks Chapter) (photo)
Kyle Foster (St. Joe Valley Limbhangers)
Evan Traynor (Crossroads Chapter) (photo)
This award is given to individuals who have made outstanding multiple year contributions in various areas to the Michigan State Chapter as well as to their local chapter. They have served and provided leadership as either local or state chapter officers, special event or project leaders.
Outstanding Corporate/Sponsor
Watson's Manistee Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram (Manistee) (photo)
This award recognizes the outstanding work, contributions and dedication corporate partners have displayed in conserving wildlife, habitat and other natural resources.
Outstanding Conservationist
Clay Buchanan (Wildlife Habitat Grants) (photo)
This award recognizes individuals here in Michigan who have proven themselves professionally (biologists or technicians) as exceptional stewards of wild turkey populations and habitat. These are usually unsung heroes who do on-the-ground work for wild turkeys and other wildlife.
Outstanding Wildlife Law Enforcement Officer
Joel Lundberg (Midland County) (photo)
This award recognizes the outstanding work of a full-time state or federal Wildlife Law Enforcement Officer in case involvement, public relations, attitude, enthusiasm, professionalism and support of our Hunting Heritage. Officers are generally nominated by the Law Enforcement Division of the MIchigan Department of Natural Resources. The nomination selected by the State NWTF is submitted to the NWTF for National recognition.
Scholarship Winners
Dylan Bernson (Bays de Noc Chapter) (photo)
Clay Jaskowski (Beaver Creek Chapter) (photo)
The Scholarship Program is part of the NWTF's Five Star Program. Applicants for the scholarship are judged on their scholastic achievements, leadership abilities and community and outdoor involvement. The winners of the local chapter scholarships are eligible for consideration for the Michigan State Chapter Award and then eligible for the National NWTF Scholarship.
Conservation Educator of the Year
Neway Center School (Newaygo) (photo)
The purpose of this exciting program is to recognize educators who demonstrate the most innovative use of the Wild About Turkeys Education Box and a commitment to teaching conservation education in the classroom. The state award winner is submitted to NWTF to be eligible for the National Award.
Turkey Cooperator Patch Design Contest Winner
Jayme Randolph
The contest, sponsored by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Michigan State University and the Michigan Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation, was established in 2003 to provide the concept for the official Wild Turkey Cooperator Patch which is issued on an annual basis.
Doug Johnson Volunteer of the Year
Phil & Janice Kuhtic (Thornapple Valley Chapter) (photo)
This award recognizes outstanding volunteerism and dedication to the Michigan NWTF which is demonstrated by outstanding leadership and service that goes beyond routine at the local or state level.
JAKE of the Year
Trenton Hopkins (Flat River Chapter) (photo)
This award is presented to an outstanding Michigan JAKES member who has exhibited local chapter involvement with outdoor activities, conservation, community service and hunting activities and ethics.
Mentor of the Year
Tony Snyder (Turkeyville Toms Chapter) (photo)
This award was new in 2015, presented to the person that has excelled in mentoring new hunters,
Roger Latham Outstanding Service Award
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Roger M. Latham Sportsman Wild Turkey Service Awards are given to NWTF members who are not employed as professional wildlife managers, but have made significant contributions to wild turkey conservation. This is a national NWTF award.
Preservationist
This award is presented to the person that hunts wild turkeys, shoots at wild turkeys, and scares the s*** out of wild turkeys without touching a feather.
2017 L. A. Dixon Jr. Memorial Outstanding Chapter Awards
Total Dollar Club
Half Million Dollar Club
Tri-County Longbeards Chapter
White River Longbeards Chapter (photo)
Slam Award Winners
World Slam
Improved in 6 of 7 Categories
- Grand Valley Chapter
- Presque Isle Turkey Trackers
- Sunset Shoreline Strutters
Royal Slam
Improved in 5 of 7 Categories
- Alcona Turkey Trotters
- Cass River Gobblers
- Huron Valley Chapter
- Macomb Lost Gobblers
- North Ottawa Toms (photo)
Grand Slam
Improved in 4 of 7 Categories
- Berrien County Trophy Toms
- Bitely/Baldwin Chapter
- Boardman River Chapter (photo)
- Midland County Gobblers
- Sebewaing Gobblers
- Slate Stone Strutters
- Tri-County Longbeards
- Whiteford Valley
Women in the Outdoors
WITO Events Net Dollars
Thornapple Valley WITO $2997.29 (photo)
Turkeyville Toms - $1287.55
WITO Memberships
Thornapple Valley - 30 (photo)
Turkeyville Toms - 26
Wheelin' Sportsmen Benefit
Wheeling Sportsmen Net Dollars
North Ottawa Toms Wheelin' Sportsmen Dinner - $7979.40 (photo)
Chapters 100 and Under in Attendance
Highest Net Dollars
North Ottawa Toms - $8709.41 (photo)
Bitely/Baldwin Chapter - $7905.76
Fremont Area Chapter - $7795.81
Net to Gross
North Ottawa Toms - 33% (photo)
Fremont Area Chapter - 33% (photo)
Bitely/Baldwin Chapter - 32%
Regular Members
Black River Longbeards - 64
Elk Country Gobblers - 57
Turkeyville Toms - 56
WITO Members
Timber Ghost Gobblers - 16
Maple Valley Tall Tails - 15
Black River Longbeards - 14
Wheelin’ Sportsmen
Turkeyville Toms - 29 (photo)
Sponsor Members
North Ottawa Toms - 26 (photo)
Bitely/Baldwin Chapter - 14
Turkeyville Toms - 13
JAKES Members
Flat River Chapter - 65 (photo)
Crossroads Chapter - 26
Van Buren Longbeards - 21
Most Improved (Net Increase)
Black River Longbeards - $3334.81
Maple Valley Tall Tails - $1546.83
North Ottawa Toms - $1471.24
Chapters 101 - 200 in Attendance
Highest Net Dollars
Southwestern MI Longbeards - $27,792.33 (photo)
Highbanks Longbeards Chapter - $18,209.09
Grand Valley Local Chapter - $17,961.52
Net to Gross
Southwestern MI Longbeards - 66% (photo)
Highbanks Chapter - 51%
Grand Valley Local Chapter - 46%
Regular Members
Beard & Spurs - 119 (photo)
Macomb Lost Gobblers - 108
Southwestern Michigan Longbeards - 92
WITO Members
Eaton County Strutting Toms - 42 (photo)
Keweenaw Bay Cutters - 23
Beard & Spurs - 19
Wheelin’ Sportsmen
Southwestern Michigan Longbeards - 10 (photo)
Cass River Gobblers - 1
Sunset Shoreline Strutters - 1
Sponsor Members
Sebewaing Gobblers - 23 (photo)
Southwestern Michigan Longbeards - 22
Sunset Shoreline Strutters - 20
JAKES Members
Waterloo Longbeards 113 (photo)
Cass River Gobblers - 51
Southwestern Michigan Longbeards - 45
Most Improved Chapter (Net Increase)
Cass River Gobblers - $7622.74 (photo)
Macomb Lost Gobblers - $7575.86
Grand Valley Local Chapter - $6890.07
Chapters 201 and Over in Attendance
Highest Net Dollars
Bays De Noc Gobblers - $22,542.50 (photo)
Whiteford Valley Gobblers - $18,690.77
Menominee Strutting Toms - $8529.54
Net to Gross
Bays De Noc Gobblers - 47% (photo)
Whiteford Valley Gobblers - 35%
Menominee Strutting Toms - 21%
Regular Members
Bays De Noc Gobblers - 167 (photo)
Menominee Strutting Toms - 108
Whiteford Valley Gobblers - 99
WITO Members
Bays De Noc Gobblers - 47 (photo)
Menominee Strutting Toms - 12
Whiteford Valley Gobblers - 8
Sponsor Members
Whiteford Valley Chapter - 30
Bays De Noc Gobblers - 22
Wheelin' Sportsmen
Bays De Noc Gobblers - 12 (photo)
Menominee Strutting Toms - 1
JAKES Members
Whiteford Valley Chapter - 113
Bays De Noc Gobblers - 53
Menominee Strutting Toms - 24
Most Improved Chapter (Net Increase)