NWTF members, volunteers, turkey hunters and conservationists packed the sport show floor Friday morning.
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EDGEFIELD, S.C. — When the turkey folks came to Nashville, they did it in record-breaking fashion turning Music City into Turkey Town, USA.

More than 52,000 turkey hunters, conservationists and outdoor enthusiasts flocked to the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center for the National Wild Turkey Federation's 41st annual Convention and Sport Show, Feb. 15-19.

This tops 2016's previous record attendance, leading to the best convention ever for the nonprofit conservation organization based in Edgefield, South Carolina.

Throughout the weekend, attendees participated in concerts by Gary Allan and members of The Peach Pickers, the Grand National Calling Championships, the Grand National Callmaking and Taxidermy competitions as well as numerous awards and recognition banquets, auctions and consumer show-floor shopping.

Highlighting its Turkey Town theme, the NWTF's corporate and agency partners as well as dedicated volunteers united as one wild turkey conservation community to further the organization's Save the Habitat. Save the Hunt. initiative and ensure the future of wildlife habitat and hunting for generations to come.

A concurrent Conservation Conference, hosted by the NWTF, agency and industry partners, brought together wildlife biologists, habitat experts and volunteers from across the country to share information, research data, conservation techniques and experiences and to secure efforts to improve wildlife habitat in the America's Big Six of Wildlife Conservation focal regions as well as other parts of the country. While participants completed much work furthering conservation, they also were acknowledged for their outstanding efforts through numerous awards and special recognitions.

"Nowhere else has the wild turkey shined as it did in Nashville this year," said NWTF CEO George Thornton. "Every aspect of our Turkey Town themed convention and sport show grew, and it was evident in the rising enthusiasm for the NWTF, wild turkeys, conservation and turkey hunting. Our volunteers showed up in record numbers, and I believe they left with a renewed passion to advance the NWTF's mission and share our successes with others."

For more coverage on all of the events held during the convention and sport show, including all awards and competitions, visit www.NWTF.org.

Save the dates of Feb. 14-18, 2018, for the 42nd annual NWTF Convention and Sport Show at Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center.

About Save the Habitat. Save the Hunt.
The NWTF Save the Habitat. Save the Hunt. initiative is a charge that mobilizes science, fundraising and devoted volunteers to give the NWTF more energy and purpose than ever. Through this national initiative, the NWTF has committed to raising $1.2 billion to conserve or enhance more than 4 million acres of essential upland wildlife habitat, recruit or reactivate at least 1.5 million hunters and open access to 500,000 acres for hunting, shooting and outdoor enjoyment. Without hunters, there will be no wildlife or habitat. The NWTF is determined to Save the Habitat. Save the Hunt.


For more information, contact Pete Muller at (803) 637-7698