On behalf of the NWTF Conservation Programs Department I would like to introduce Clayton Lenk, our new District Biologist for MN, ND, SD, WI. Clayton’s first day on the job is today and we are excited to have him join our efforts in the Central Region and the Conservation Programs department. Below is a brief bio for Clayton, and his email address is clenk@nwtf.net.
 
Clayton is married to Samantha and has two girls ages 2.5 (Clara) and almost 1 (Della). They also have two dogs, a Black Lab (Stella) and an Australian Shepherd (Lilly). Like most people in this field, Clayton enjoys most any outdoor activity from hunting, fishing, and trapping, to watching birds and just walking through the woods. Clayton brings a lot of experience to this position, having worked for a soil and water conservation district, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, the Wisconsin DNR, Minnesota DNR, and AmeriCorps. Clayton is looking forward to utilizing his past experiences and is excited to learn new things in his role with the NWTF.
 
Please join me in welcoming Clayton to the NWTF flock!
 
Kindest regards,
 
Jared McJunkin
Certified Wildlife Biologist®
Director of Conservation Operations (Central Region) 
mobile: 785.844.1055
email: jmcjunkin@nwtf.net 

​EDGEFIELD, S.C.—The National Wild Turkey Federation welcomes new members and officers to its National Board of Directors.
 
After two years of service as president, Harlan Starr has assumed the role of board chairman, and Robert Higginbotham of Louisville, Mississippi, has been elected as president of the NWTF National Board of Directors.
 
“It has been my honor to serve as the president of the NWTF National Board of Directors,” Starr said. “I greatly appreciate everyone’s support, hard work and trust as we have addressed a number of challenges and celebrated success. It is my privilege to welcome Robert Higginbotham as our new NWTF president.”
 
The National Board of Directors met virtually at the beginning of February and voted on the 2021 officers and directors, which are as follows:
 
Board Chairman:       Harlan Starr, Cedar Bluff, Alabama
President:                  Robert Higginbotham, Louisville, Mississippi
Vice President:          Bryan Perry, Zebulon, North Carolina
Secretary:                  Parks Shackelford, Arlington, Virginia
Treasurer:                  Ronnie Reagin, Moultrie, Georgia

​EDGEFIELD, S.C.—At a time when the minds of many yearn for spring and the return of warm breezes, new growth and the gobble of a turkey on the roost, the National Wild Turkey Federation gave a sneak peek at its brand evolution, the heart of which is an unwavering commitment to those who are passionate about the wild turkey, wild turkey hunting, America's wildlife and those who have a profound respect for nature and our important role within.
 
The brand evolution–a necessary change coming out of a year that saw more people than ever show interest in outdoors and the pursuit of wild game–centers the narrative on the NWTF’s relevancy to current members and turkey hunters and also aims to attract a new, younger audience so that the NWTF may continue to be most effective at its nearly 50-year mission of conserving the wild turkey and preserving our hunting heritage.

As COVID cases mount across the Midwest, the Wisconsin DNR is expected to continue to suspend most of its in-person events this spring—including its popular Learn to Hunt and Hunt for Food turkey classes. While this may come as a disappointment to some, it is not a death knell to hunter recruitment. In fact, as many Wisconsinites are working and attending school from home, there may actually be more opportunities to get new hunters into the turkey woods in 2021. This can easily be done while still adhering to COVID safety guidelines.