Michigan State Chapter
of the National Wild Turkey Federation
"Dedicated to the conservation of the wild turkey and the preservation of the hunting tradition"

Turkey Patch Program


2007 Winner!


Left to Right: Dale Elshoff (Project Wild Turkey), Al Stewart (MI-DNR Upland Game Bird Specialist),
Keith Charters (Chairman Natural Resources Commission), Troy Hopkins (NWTF Turkey Cooperator Patch Administrator), Sarah Kennedy (11th Grade Turkey Patch Designer), Rebecca Humphries (Director Dept. of Natural Resources), Steve Sharp (Regional Director NWTF), Doug Reeves (Acting Chief of Wildlife Division)

East Lansing MI - Each year through the Project Wild program, an art contest for the Wild Turkey Cooperators is conducted through the Public School system in the state of Michigan. The Michigan State Chapter of the NWTF along with the MI Department of Natural Resources offer a Wild turkey Cooperator's Patch to be sold to adults and given to children 17 and under that participate in the program. All proceeds go to wild turkey management programs in the state of Michigan. The competition is judged by representatives from NWTF, MI-DNR, and Project Wild and selected without knowing who designed the patch.

This years winner is Sarah Kennedy 11th grader from Saranac High School. She was Presented her award at the Nov 2007 Natural Resources Commission Meeting by the MI-DNR Director Rebecca Humphries, and NWTF Regional Director Steve Sharp

 

Wild Turkey Cooperator Patch
 

The Wild Turkey Cooperator patch program was initiated in 1988 as an incentive for hunters to voluntarily check their wild turkeys at one of the field office check stations. Starting in 1992, rather than checking birds in the field, hunters were offered the opportunity to receive a patch by mailing the wing-tip feathers and breast feathers from their harvested bird to the Rose Lake Wildlife Laboratory. Wildlife biologists examined the feathers to determine sex and age.

Unfortunately, as turkey patches became collectable items, some people falsely submitted feathers solely to receive a patch. This practice jeopardized the credibility of the data, making it necessary to end the cooperator patch program. Our researchers believe that our mail survey process will continue to provide us with accurate biological information.

Fortunately, beginning in 2002, the Michigan chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF), in partnership with the DNR, initiated a new Michigan wild turkey patch program. This program allows you to help design the turkey patch!

Previous Turkey Patches

Michigan's wild turkey patch program is coordinated by the Michigan Chapter of NWTF and turkey patches are obtained through this organization. Young hunters, ages 10-17, who have a valid wild turkey hunting license may receive a free patch. Adult hunters, collectors and other interested individuals may purchase the patch for $5, which includes postage and handling. To receive a patch, please send name and complete address, along with a legible copy of the youth's valid wild turkey hunting license, to:

National Wild Turkey Federation
Wild Turkey Patch Program
P.O. Box 8
Orleans, Michigan 48865

Individuals who are purchasing the patch should make their check or money order payable to the National Wild Turkey Federation. You do not have to harvest a turkey to purchase a patch.

The NWTF is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the conservation of the American wild turkey and the preservation of the hunting tradition. Proceeds from patch sales will be used to fund wild turkey-related projects in Michigan. Each year the NWTF, working cooperatively with the DNR, contributes more than $300,000 to wild turkey and hunter-heritage programs in Michigan.

For information on Patches
Send to:michiganwildturkeypatch@yahoo.com

home | contact us | site map