No, this is not about the national WTF? health care bill. While our Editor tends to focus on supporting Ducks Unlimited and the Nature Conservancy, both highly worthy volunteer organizations, I have been a supporter of the National Wild Turkey Federation for many years.
The recovery of the American Wild Turkey populations, like that of Egrets after the turn of the last century, has been a giant success of intelligent conservation.
Whether you want to shoot 'em and eat 'em, or just look at these huge birds (I like to do both), their resurgence is a great gift to America - thanks to conservation organizations.
The WTF has basically accomplished their goal. Turkeys are everywhere now, and huntable in most places. However, like government programs, non-profits rarely close up shop when their work is done. They tend to find something else to do, if only to keep their jobs. It's a sad fact that Ducks Unlimited still has much of their original mission to accomplish - wild duck populations, and the other wetlands critters that inhabit the habitats that DU protects and rehabilitates - remain far below where they were in years past.
There are a number of species of Wild Turkey in the New World. None native to the Old World.
Photo above: You all know that the males only display like that when they are overcome with love and/or horniness.
Photo below: Our Editor-in-Chief Bird Dog (before he gained weight) with a bird in the hand. Today, he could afford to lose a couple of pounds.
Tracked: Jan 25, 13:32