2025 State Award Winners
Awards presented January 24, 2026
To nominate someone for an individual award, please contact Jon Gray or complete a Nomination Form
Click here for past years' recipients.
2025 Individual Award Winners
Outstanding Service
Richard Updike - Crossroads Chapter (Photo)
Nick Warners - Grand Valley Local Chapter (Photo)
Justin Mitchell - Flint River 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 Partner
M-82 Armory - Fremont, MI (Photo)
This award recognizes the contributions of businesses or individuals that support local NWTF chapters in their fundraising efforts.
Conservation Award
Greg Hochstetler - Michigan DNR Biologist - Muskegon SGA (Photo)
This award recognizes professional individuals (biologists or technicians) or agencies here in Michigan who have proven themselves 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
Michael Eovaldi (Sanilac 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.
Michigan NWTF Pete Demos Memorial Academic Scholarship
Kylee Hopp - Gaylord High School - Elk Country Gobblers
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 Pete Demos Memorial Academic Scholarship at the state level, and then eligible for the National NWTF Dr. James Earl Kennamer Academic Scholarship.
Conservation Educator of the Year
**
The purpose of this award is to recognize exceptional efforts in providing educational opportunities that incorporate conservation and wildlife to students. The recipient of this award can be a formal or informal educator. The state award winner is submitted to NWTF to be eligible for the National Award.
Turkey Cooperator Patch Design Contest Winner
Vincent Garcia (Greenhills School - Ann Arbor) - 2025 Patch (Photo)
The contest, sponsored by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources 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
Joe Macomber (Grand 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
**
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
Melissa Howse-Kurtz (Photo)
This award recognize an individual in Michigan who has mentored new hunters. This individual may have mentored adults, youth, women, disabled individuals, and/or veterans to help them become new hunters.
Roger Latham Outstanding Service Award
***
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
Tate Tenharmsel (Grand Valley Chapter) (Photo)
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.
Chapter Awards
Chapter Net Dollars
Total of all Michigan fundraising events in fiscal year 2025
Crockery Creek Longbeards $41,394 (Photo)
Sebewaing Gobblers $40,812 (Photo)
Southwestern Michigan Longbeards $40,131 (Photo)
Sunset Shoreline Strutters $36,933
White River Longbeards $30,337
Individual Event Net to Gross Percentage
Single event regardless of type or attendance
Elk Country Gobblers 73.11% (Photo)
Berrien County Trophy Toms 70.16%
Southwestern Michigan Longbeards 67.58% (Photo)
Sebewaing Gobblers 61.04% (Photo)
Crockery Creek Longbeards 60.76% (Photo)
Individual Event Net Dollars by Attendance
Highest Net Dollars - Events Under 99 Attendees
North Kent Longbeards $16,482
Gold Coast Gobblers $16,394
Waterloo Longbeards $15,721
High Banks Longbeards $14,557
Newaygo Valley $14,037
Highest Net Dollars - Events 100-149 Attendees
Southwestern Michigan Longbeards $40,131 (Photo)
Coldwater River Longbeards $27,726
Fremont Area Chapter $23,637
Presque Isle Turkey Trackers $23,576
Beard & Spurs Chapter $23,446
Highest Net Dollars - Events 150-199 in Attendance
Crockery Creek Longbeards $41,394
Sebewaing Gobblers $40,812
Sunset Shoreline Strutters $36,933
White River Longbeards $30,337
Eaton County Strutting Toms $26,284 (Photo)
Highest Net Dollars - Events 200+ in Attendance
Flatlander Chapter $22,942 (Photo)
Most Improved Event
Individual Event Net to Gross Percentage
Sebewaing Gobblers $16,175
Southwestern Michigan Longbeards $11,204
Timber Ghost Gobblers $10,810
Coldwater River Longbeards $9,852
Fremont Area Chapter $8,360