EDGEFIELD, S.C.— Some of the best shotgun shooters in the world traveled to Edgefield, S.C., on Oct. 2 and 3 to participate in the National Wild Turkey Federation's (NWTF) 2009 World Wild Turkey Still Target Championships . A day and a half of qualifying narrowed the field into a group of finalists for six divisions.
 

Winners of the National Wild Turkey Federation's 2009 World Wild Turkey Still Target Championships are (L-R): Clark Bush, Lynn Montjoy, D.J. Bright, Jacob McNeely and Brian Sloan (kneeling).
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The event offers divisions for men, women and youth, which gives everyone an opportunity to compete.

"I really love the challenge of trying to get high performance out of my shotgun. It's a thrill trying to get as many pellets as possible into a little 3-inch circle," said D..J. Bright, of Lyman, S.C., the champion in the 12-gauge open division. "The best part of the weekend though is getting to see old friends. Everyone is like family. You can borrow supplies from other shooters and ask them anything."

Jacob McNeely, 14, of Statesville, N.C., won the JAKES (Juniors Acquiring Knowledge Ethics and Sportsmanship) division for youth. "Target shooting is a ton of fun and coming here and beating some really good shooters is a great feeling. My mom wasn't here with my dad so I sent her a text message telling her I won."

Other winners included Brian Sloan, of Statesville, N.C., in the black powder and 20-gauge open divisions, Clark Bush, of Carbondale, Ill., in the 12-gauge hunter division and Lynn Montjoy, of Greenwood, S.C., in the 20-gauge women's division.

Alex Fox of Taylorsville, N.C., competed in the JAKES division at the NWTF's 2009 World Wild Turkey Still Target Championships.
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"The ultimate goal of the competition is to reduce crippling loss and misses in the field, but it's also a great way for equipment manufacturers to improve their turkey hunting products," said Simmons.

Founded in 1973, the NWTF is dedicated to the conservation of the wild turkey and the preservation of the hunting tradition. The NWTF has a membership of nearly 400,000 people in the Unites States, Canada and Mexico. Together, the NWTF's partners, sponsors and grassroots members have raised and spent more than $286 million upholding hunting traditions and conserving nearly 14 million acres of wildlife habitat.
 
About the NWTF: The National Wild Turkey Federation is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit conservation and education organization with a mission dedicated to conserving wild turkeys and preserving hunting traditions.
 
When the NWTF was founded in 1973, 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 400,000 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 $286 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.
 
The NWTF's national headquarters, located in Edgefield, S.C., features the Wild Turkey Center and Winchester Museum and 100-acre Outdoor Education Center. 

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.