Northern Kettles Turkey Federation

The National Wild Turkey Federation is the fastest growing conservation organization in the country.  The Federations mission is the conservation of the wild turkey and our hunting heritage.  The Northern Kettles Chapter is a local chapter of the NWTF.  Our chapter was formed in 1988 and has been involved in the conservation activities in Sheboygan county ever since.  We hold a fund raising banquet each year on the second Thursday in January at the Milhome Supper Club in Kiel.  The funds raised at the banquet goes to support various conservation programs in our county, state and on the national level.  Some of the programs within the county are:

1. Our Jakes (Juniors Acquiring Knowledge, Ethics and Sportsmanship) program.
2. Women In the Outdoors-Teaching women to enjoy the outdoors with hands on education.
3. Scholarships-We give out $1250 in scholarships each year to students going into the natural resource field.
4. Turkey hunting clinics.
5. Trees for Tomorrow
6. We have been involved with the Free fishing day program since it started.
7. We donated $5000 to the DNR to help purchase a tractor for habitat work, $10,000 to purchase tree shelters for the Kettle Moraine State Forest, $10,000 to help purchase the Gerber Lake Property.  We have also donated money to the Outdoor Skill Center, Hunters Safety Program and other organizations.
8. Started the first Shooting for Charity event along with the Sauk Trail Club.

On the national level, the NWTF funds the Wildlife Legislative Fund of America $100,000 per year, the National Shooting Sports Program $250,000 per year and the 4-H shooting program $100,000 per year.  With the work of the NWTF and wildlife agencies through-out the country we now have hun table populations of turkeys in all states except Alaska, and even parts of Canada.  In the last 28 years more than $130 million NWTF and cooperator dollars have been spent on more than 15,000 projects benefiting wild turkeys throughout North America.  In 1973, there were an estimated 1.3 million wild turkeys and 1.5 million turkey hunters.  Today, there are an estimated 5.4 million turkeys and approximately 2.6 million turkey hunters.

On the state level the State Chapter has spent over $1,600,000 on programs such as the trapping and relocating birds, Education, research and management, and equipment.  Our chapter holds its monthly meetings on the second Wednesday of the month at the American Family Building in Plymouth.  We are open to the public and encourage you to get involved.  The membership dues are $25.00 per year.  As a member you will belong to the National, State and local chapter.  For more information you may contact Gary J. Muench at 920-893-4961.