Two organizations making big waves in the world of wild turkey conservation.
Wild turkeys continue to decline, especially in the Deep South. While the focus is often on public lands, and very well should be, from a management perspective, private properties are often overlooked. Thus, Turkeys for Tomorrow (TFT) and South Carolina Wildlife Partnership (SCWP) share common ground. Each organization has established, meaningful landowner co-op programs. Together, these two organizations will act as sounding boards to project wild turkey conservation to new heights.
Who Is SCWP?
Those outside of South Carolina might ask, who is SCWP? Its vision is to offer hunting opportunities to all who want to participate in South Carolina hunting opportunities. Its mission states, "We connect public hunters with private landowners who are willing to offer hunting opportunities that encourage respect for the land and ethical hunting practices for the future."
Drilling down on its core beliefs, these include:
"Everyone in South Carolina should have opportunities to participate in hunting," SCWP said. "Responsible, ethical hunting benefits the environment, wildlife populations, and our state. Hunting plays an essential role in responsible wildlife management, helping to protect certain animal populations from disease and starvation, while conserving those that are threatened and endangered. Hunting offers a healthy way for people to connect with nature and grow an appreciation for our natural resources. Hunting provides opportunities for mentorship and passing down principles of ethical sportsmanship and outdoorsmanship to future generations."
Travis Sumner, the state director for the SCWP, is looking to establish landowner co-ops, which TFT also prioritizes. Building cooperatives is a significant factor in the future of private land conservation.
"We work with private landowners to provide public hunting opportunities, which is mainly through the South Carolina draw system," Sumner said. "We started with turkeys and waterfowl. We're working with those landowners on how to improve their habitat. We can do the work ourselves or provide contractors to get in touch with. Ultimately, we're consulting to build better turkey habitat.
"It's about getting everybody on the same page and working together," Sumner continued. "The more I've learned about TFT, the more I realize it's a no-brainer for us. We have about 18,000 acres in South Carolina within our program. TFT, of course, is attempting to increase turkey populations, turkey hunting awareness, and the conservation of wild turkeys. We're trying to provide public hunting opportunities and also working with private landowners to build better habitat."
In South Carolina alone, there's about 20.5 million acres of land. Only 1.1 million of those acres offer public hunting. The remainder is private property. This itself is enough reason for private landowners to recognize the need for taking ownership in habitat improvement and wild turkey conservation.
"It's up to private landowners to preserve and conserve this land that we care about," Sumner said. "Particularly with the wild turkey's future, the private landowner must ensure that future generations have an opportunity to hear the gobble in the springtime."
Habitat improvement, predator trapping, and more — there's much we can do to benefit wild turkeys. And when wild turkeys benefit, so do other species, such as whitetails, rabbits, and more.
"No matter how many acres of private land someone might own, everyone can do something on their property to help build better wild turkey habitat," Sumner said.
"I think the most important thing is assessing what these landowners are doing for and during the reproductive times," Sumner said. "Our goal is to work with these landowners and build habitat. Together, we can ensure that turkey populations thrive, even after we're all gone. We must do that for future generations, so they too can get out there and enjoy it.
Why a TFT and SCWP Strategic Partnership Matters
It doesn't take much analysis to see why a TFT and SCWP partnership is important. The strategic footing this agreement finds itself on provides both organizations with meaningful horsepower.
"The SCWP is a perfect fit with TFT," said TFT CEO Jason Lupardus. "I spoke with Travis Sumner back in the fall as they were developing their plans, and we had almost identical alignment with priorities and actions. We are honored to work with great folks in South Carolina who can implement action for our private landowner cooperatives."
"What excites me about TFT is that it's going back to the grassroots of turkey hunting, which is what turkey hunting and conservation is all about," Sumner said. "TFT is ensuring that the research is being done and the data collected from that research is applied to the habitat needs of wild turkeys.
"You hear the name 'Turkeys for Tomorrow' often now," Sumner continued. "It's exciting how landowners are wanting to ensure that we're able to hear that gobble down the road like we used to. That's what TFT is doing. It's about the grassroots of turkey hunting, and that, I love."
Support TFT
Wild turkey populations are on the decline throughout the nation. Established in 2021, TFT is new to the landscape, but it's driven by highly trained professionals with decades of conservation experience. To support TFT, and the complete body of wild turkey research and conservation it's leading, become a member today. An Adult Annual Membership is $50, multi-year Team Turkey Membership is $250, and Life Membership is $2,500. Every dollar counts in the fight for wild turkey preservation.