Turkeys for Tomorrow (TFT) is honored to announce recent receipt of two major awards. While in attendance of the National Trapper's Association (NTA) Convention, two major awards were presented to TFT.
TFT Receives President's Award and Conservationist of the Year from NTA
TFT is honored to announce that CEO Jason Lupardus recently accepted two awards on behalf of the organization. Each of these are highly prestigious awards that signal to the public that the recipients are making positive waves in the conservation space.
"On behalf of our TFT Family Flock throughout the country, I was honored to accept the Conservationist of the Year Award and the President's Award from the National Trappers Association at their 67th Annual Convention in Richmond, Indiana," said TFT CEO Jason Lupardus.
Jim Spencer Inducted Into NTA Hall of Fame
TFT is also proud to announce another award. Founding Member Jim Spencer received high honors at the NTA Convention. An original member of the 14-person committee that led to the inception of TFT, he's achieved big things in both the turkey and trapping spheres. It's because of that TFT congratulates him on his astounding career accomplishments.
TFT Announces "Sponsor a Trap" Sweepstakes
In partnership with NTA, TFT unveils the inaugural "Sponsor a Trap" sweepstakes. This program is new for 2026, and will serve numerous purposes, including educating the public, funding conservation efforts, and serving up great prizes for the winners.
"This 'Sponsor a Trap' Sweepstakes was structured as a partnership effort for our Preserve the Poult Trapping Workshop," Lupardus said. "We have a great package of items for the winner inclusive of some VIP treatment, and epic artwork from Dustin Dattilo that is one of a kind."
"We will get more wildlife management completed at Ames Plantation while educating the public about why and how to efficiently trap," Lupardus continued. "We will add a trap for each ticket purchased, so if we sell 1,000 tickets, then we will have 1,000 traps put in the ground for all mesopredators."
There will be four professional trappers from NTA who will be present for the event. Lupardus emphasizes that, as it will help the event, and members, to be more successful.
Why Are TFT and NTA Working Together?
TFT is dedicated to conserving wild turkeys. Upon learning that its mission aligns in part with the NTA, it proved prudent to work together for the betterment of both trapping and wild turkeys.
Chip Davis Serves two important roles in the conservation world. First, secretary of the board for TFT. Secondly, current vice president of the executive board with the National Trappers Association.
Davis notes that harvest management and not over-harvesting turkeys is vitally important. However, that isn't the entirety of the equation. It requires another element — trapping.
"Coming from both a turkey hunting and a trapping background, I understand first hand the value that predator management contributes to wild turkey management," Davis said. "The silver bullet is science-based predator management."
According to Davis, it's very possible, and in many cases probable, for land managers to check the following three boxes:
- Limit over-harvesting of wild turkeys.
- Pay extreme attention to and greatly enhance wild turkey habitat.
- However, fail to address wild turkey predators.
"I'm proud to sit on both the NTA and the TFT Executive Boards, because I know that predator management absolutely works to exacerbate and complete harvest and habitat management in wild turkey populations," Davis said. "The harvest, habitat, and predator management practices that I continually work on with my personal farms are yielding extreme poult recruitment year after year — all by combining these three common-sense, science-based practices."
"It is all about furs and feathers," Lupardus stated. "Trappers and turkey hunters go hand-in-hand, as we believe that trapping can be a key component to turkey restoration. We share a common value here that is deeply rooted to the development of our country — trapping. You can't ask for a better partner organization that is committed to conservation."
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 conservation.