NASHVILLE, Tenn. (February 11, 2016) — The National Wild Turkey Federation's new membership campaign, Rise And Fly, launched in front of an energized crowd at the Thursday Night Welcome Party during the NWTF 40th annual National Convention and Sport Show.

The campaign challenges NWTF members and hunters to gift a membership to someone special or to challenge a friend or family member to join the NWTF online at NWTF.org/RiseAndFly.

The NWTF launched the campaign through a vivid, two-and-a-half-minute video, which has gone viral on Facebook and other social media sites behind the support of many outdoor industry powerhouse personalities and brands sharing the video and using the hashtag, #RiseAndFly.

"Rise And Fly is built on the fact that hunters are made one by one," said George Thornton, NWTF CEO. "As an organization, it works the same way. This is the year we're reminding people, who love our hunting way of life, that those traditions are in harm's way. It's our job to take a stand; to be the spark for someone else and encourage others to Rise And Fly with the NWTF."

A growing list that includes Mossy Oak, Cabela's, Bass Pro Shops, Plano Synergy, YETI, Michael Waddell, Heartland Bowhunter, Franchi, Drury Outdoors, ALPS OutdoorZ and many others have shared the Rise And Fly video, but haven't stopped there. These social influencers are producing their own Rise And Fly video messages, and recruiting followers to join the NWTF and participate in the campaign.

Thornton is clear that Rise And Fly isn't just another hashtag in a social media age littered with keyboard activists. The NWTF is immediately putting the Rise And Fly momentum to work.

"We've set lofty goals with our Save The Habitat. Save the Hunt. initiative, and our new campaign is going to boost the manpower and funding we need to get there," said Thornton.

The NWTF's Save the Habitat. Save the Hunt. initiative is a 10-year plan that will:
Conserve or enhance 4 million acres of wildlife habitat across North America
Recruit 1.5 million hunters, so our hunting way of life thrives for generations
Open access to 500,000 acres of land currently closed to hunting

The NWTF has a reputation for delivering results. When the Federation was founded in 1973, there were approximately 1.5 million wild turkeys in North America. After decades of dedicated work, that number hit a historic high of nearly 7 million wild turkeys, thanks to the tremendous efforts of state and federal wildlife agencies supported by the NWTF, its volunteers and committed partners.

To join the movement and learn more about the NWTF's Rise And Fly campaign, visit NWTF.org/RiseAndFly.

Media Contact:
Pete Muller
pmuller@nwtf.net