NWTF Expects Another Great Turnout for Turkey Shoot

Recreational and experienced sporting clays shooters from across the country are primed for the National Wild Turkey Federation’s (NWTF) annual Turkey Shoot at the Meadows National Gun Club in Forsyth, Georgia. The National Sporting Clays Association-sanctioned Mega Blast Shoot that regularly draws more than 500 participants is scheduled for August 15–17.

“The Turkey Shoot is one of the most popular sporting clays shoots in the country because our classes (or divisions) accommodate shooters of all skill levels and we have one of the best prize structures on the circuit,” said Chris Piltz, NWTF special events coordinator. “There is definitely a family atmosphere to the shoot; people return year after year to see friends and join in the fun.”

A five-stand event, 50-target events for subgauges (20 gauge, 28 gauge and .410) and 100-target preliminary events for 12-gauge, side-by-side and pump shotguns will take place throughout Friday. The 200-target main event plays out over the remainder of the weekend.

Pre-event registration for all events is open through August 1, at www.iclays.com. Shooters also can register the beginning Friday of the shoot on a first-come, first-served basis.

“The NWTF truly values the youth who come out to compete. They are the future of shooting sports,” said Piltz. “We are offering discounts to youth shooters to show our appreciation and encourage their attendance.”

Participation in the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance-sponsored shooting games is open to the general public. For a small fee, visitors can test their skills in three-stand, make-a-break and wobble trap games. Tickets are also available to the NWTF banquets and auctions on Friday and Saturday evening.

This is the last year the Turkey Shoot will take place in Georgia. The 2015 Turkey Shoot will take place at the Palmetto Shooting Complex, the NWTF’s future state-of-the art shooting facility in Edgefield, South Carolina.

To learn more about the NWTF Save the Habitat. Save the Hunt. initiative, visit www.nwtf.org.

National Wild Turkey Federation

The National Wild Turkey Federation is the leader in upland wildlife habitat conservation in North America. The NWTF is a nonprofit organization dedicated to conserving the wild turkey and preserving our hunting heritage.

Through dynamic partnerships with state, federal and provincial wildlife agencies, the NWTF and its members have helped restore wild turkey populations throughout North America, spending more than $331 million to conserve nearly 16 million acres of habitat. Wild turkeys and hundreds of other species of upland wildlife, including quail, deer, grouse, pheasant and songbirds, benefit from this improved habitat.

The NWTF also brings new conservationists and hunters into the fold through outdoor education events and its Women in the Outdoors, Wheelin' Sportsmen, JAKES and Xtreme JAKES youth outreach programs. Our dedicated NWTF volunteers introduce about 100,000 people to the outdoors through these programs every year.

Founded in 1973, the NWTF is headquartered in Edgefield, S.C., and has local chapters in every state and Canada. According to many state and federal agencies, the restoration of the wild turkey is arguably the greatest conservation success story in North America's wildlife history.