NASHVILLE, Tenn. — For his dedication to teaching others to hunt, Theodore (Ted) Lidie received the JAKES (Juniors Acquiring Knowledge, Ethics and Sportsmanship) Volunteer of the Year Award during the 41st annual National Wild Turkey Federation's Convention and Sport Show in Nashville.

"I am honored to be selected for this prestigious award. My time with the NWTF has been meaningful to me, especially the JAKES programs," said Lidie, of Redding, California. "My father died when I was 12, and I was raised in a single-parent home. My Little League baseball coach, who also was an NWTF member and hunting guide, introduced me to the natural world. He taught me to hunt and enjoy nature. Soon, I was living with him and his family. To this day, I call him my father, and we have hunted together all over the United States. As an adult, I committed myself to service to my country and my community. I joined the US Army and retired in 2006. When I returned to my hometown, I knew it was time to give back what had been given to me as a 12-year-old boy. Although it is with great honor that I accept this award, it really belongs to all of us; all of us who understand the responsibility of protecting the resources left to us, and those who help our youth to explore their world."

Lidie is a retired Army Command Sergeant Major. He is described by fellow NWTF members as a "die-hard volunteer," who helped launch the Redding JAKES hunt and took it from a few kids to a nationally recognized youth event. Ted also is a certified California Hunter Education instructor.

"Ted and the volunteers like him are the reason we can say we will meet our Save the Habitat. Save the Hunt. initiative goals," said George Thornton, NWTF CEO. "Ted's non-stop attitude is a shining example of the dedication our volunteers make to support the NWTF's mission. We certainly thank Ted for his work for the NWTF and for his service to our country."


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