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Youth Hunters Find Their Calling at NWTF Grand Nationals

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - More than 40 of the country's most promising young turkey callers are headed to Nashville to battle for state pride, bragging rights and more than $2,500 in cash and prizes during the National Wild Turkey Federation's Grand National Calling championships.

The Grand National Intermediate, Youth and Poults Calling championships will be held during the NWTF's 33rd annual Convention and Sport Show at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center in Nashville, Feb. 19 to Feb. 22, 2009.

After a pressure-packed minute on stage in which contestants must mimic various sounds of a wild turkey, callers will nervously await the final verdict from a panel of judges.

Intermediate Division contestants must be between the ages of 16 and 20 years old, and Junior Division contestants must be between 11 and 15 years old. New for 2009, the Poults Division offers callers 10 years old and younger the chance to take home a title.

No matter the outcome, callers stress that only one thing takes top priority when competing having fun.

"The NWTF Grand Nationals are definitely the Super Bowl of turkey calling and it's easy to get nervous," said Hailey Long from York, Ala. "But as long as I can walk off that stage feeling confident in what I just did, I'm happy. I'm always learning something new with each contest I compete in, and that's what makes it fun."

Long, 21, placed second in last year's Intermediate Division and will move into the Senior Division for 2009, where she will compete against veteran adult callers some of whom have been turkey calling longer than she has been alive. Despite that, Long said she feels confident in her abilities and added that camaraderie plays a big part in why she returns year after year.

"I've made friends that I never would have met had it not been for calling competitions," Long said. "This is really a great group of people."

Also returning to the Grand Nationals in 2009 will be David and Lewis Armistead of Pleasant Shade, Tenn. David, 15, and Lewis, 10, will compete in the Junior and Poults Divisions, respectively. Their father, Brian, noted that despite the brothers' age difference, turkey calling is something that David and Lewis can do together and also instills great life lessons.

"My sons have learned a lot about discipline, controlling nerves, handling both success and failure, plus many other virtues through competitive calling," Armistead said. "We're looking forward to visiting Nashville and proudly representing our home state of Tennessee."

The Grand National Calling Contest represents only a small portion of what's in store during the NWTF's action-packed weekend in Nashville. The four-acre exhibit hall will be filled with more than 545 exhibit booths full of the latest and greatest gear that hunters will need in their quest for next spring's gobblers. World-class callmaking and taxidermy competitions, seminars from hunting experts, a special ceremony honoring our veterans, fun and educational activities for youth and much more will also take place.

"Through this year's theme: 'The Year of the Volunteer,' we will also show our appreciation to the thousands of dedicated volunteers who have made the NWTF the successful organization it is today," noted Michael Waddell, NWTF spokesman. "We'll have something fun for everyone in Nashville this February. Join us for a brand new show in your favorite place!"

The NWTF is a national nonprofit conservation organization that was founded in 1973 and has worked with wildlife agencies to restore wild turkey populations from 1.3 million wild turkeys to nearly 7 million today. Now, NWTF volunteers raise funds and work daily to improve critical wildlife habitat, increase access to public hunting land and introduce new people to the outdoors and hunting.

"Join myself, Michael and tens of thousands of your closest friends for a weekend of fun, camaraderie, patriotism and celebration of the wild turkey and its conservation success," said Brenda Valentine, NWTF spokeswoman.

The NWTF's Convention and Sport Show will feature award-winning entertainment from country music artists Blake Shelton, Rhett Atkins, Andy Griggs and Daryle Singletary plus comedy and music from entertainer Paul Harris.

General admission tickets to the NWTF's Convention and Sport Show are just $10 per day or $25 for a three-day admission badge. Ticket information for other Convention and Sport Show events is available at http://turkey-shoppe.nwtf.org/convention2009.html.

To register, reserve a hotel room, or get more information about the NWTF's 33rd annual Convention and Sport Show, visit www.nwtf.org/special_events/convention.html

2009 NWTF Convention Sponsors:

*Arkansas Game & Fish Commission
*ATK/Federal Premium Ammunition
*Bank of America
*BASF
*Bass Pro Shops
*Browning
*Call Makers and Collectors Association of America
*Chevrolet
*Crescent Cardboard Co., LLC
*Foxy Huntress
*Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center
*Harrington & Richardson Company
*Knight Rifles
*Leupold & Stevens, Inc.
*Longleaf Camo
*Marlin Firearms Company
*Motorola
*Nashville Convention and Visitors Bureau
*National Band and Tag
*O.F. Mossberg & Sons, Inc.
*Outdoor Channel
*The Outdoor Connection
*Realtree Outdoor Products, Inc.
*Remington Arms Company, Inc.
*South Carolina State Chapter
*Tennessee State Chapter
*USDA Forest Service
*U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance
*Weatherby, Inc.
*Wild Turkey Bourbon
*Winchester Division/Olin Corp.

For more information about the NWTF or to become a member, visit www.nwtf.org or call (800) THE-NWTF.

About the NWTF: In 1973, Tom Rodgers founded the National Wild Turkey Federation in Fredericksburg, Va., as a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit conservation and education organization with a mission dedicated to conserving wild turkeys and preserving hunting traditions. Shortly thereafter, Rodgers relocated the NWTF to Edgefield, S.C., where it's still headquartered today.

At the time NWTF was established, there were only 1.3 million wild turkeys. Today that number stands at more than seven million birds throughout North America, thanks to the efforts of state, federal and provincial wildlife agencies, the NWTF and its members and partners.

Growth and progress define the NWTF as it has expanded from 1,300 members in 1973 to nearly a half million today. With that growth has come impressive strides in wildlife management as the NWTF has forged dynamic partnerships across the country to further its conservation mission. Together, the NWTF's partners, sponsors and grassroots members have raised and spent more than $279 million upholding hunting traditions and conserving nearly 14 million acres of wildlife habitat.

While wild turkey restoration is nearing completion, the NWTF still has much work to do. Across North America, supporters are working to enhance habitat for wild turkeys and other wildlife while providing hunters with more opportunities and access to public and private land. In addition, NWTF volunteers and partners are introducing youth, women and people with disabilities to the outdoors through special educational events.

If you would like to become a member of Team NWTF, join a committee or start a chapter, please visit our Web site at www.nwtf.org or call us at 800-THE-NWTF.

Media Contact:
Bryan Purtymun (803) 637-7667