Wild Turkey Bourbon/NWTF Grand National Turkey Calling Championships:
If it struts like a turkey and gobbles like a turkey, it must be a
turkey, right? Well, almost — it could be a flock of world-class turkey
callers taking center stage at the Wild Turkey Bourbon/NWTF Grand
National Turkey Calling Championships.
"For more than two decades, the Grand National Calling Championships
have served as the testing grounds for the best of the best," said Rob
Keck, NWTF CEO and former world champion turkey caller.
For more information, contact Tammy Condrey at (803) 637-3106 or tcondrey@nwtf.net.
Call Making Contest:
Game call historian and call collector Howard Harlan once wrote that
game call making is an "enduring American folk art." Nowhere is this
art celebrated as it is during the National Wild Turkey Federation's
Annual Convention and Sport Show, where America's finest call makers
compete for top honors in the world's premiere call making competition.
"No other call making
competition in the world brings together more true American artisans
than the NWTF's Grand National Turkey Call Competition," said NWTF CEO
Rob Keck. "The calls displayed this year in Nashville will again take
the competition a step higher as more and more artists discover this
truly American art form."
For more information, contact Karen Cavender at (803) 637-3106 or kcavender@nwtf.net.
Taxidermy Contest:
The annual National Wild Turkey Federation Convention and Sport Show
provides a place for the best taxidermists across the nation to
showcase their work during the NWTF Grand National Taxidermy Contest.
NWTF Auctions:
Don't miss out on the bidding at the NWTF's auctions during the 31st
annual National Convention and Sport Show. Three auctions will be held
during the conveniton, offering both silent and verbal bidding.
We've
got unique hunting trips, fine furs and jewelry, original oil paintings
and more to auction off in support of conservation.
Check back to see all the great items up for auction at this year's convention.
February 22-25, 2007
Gaylord Opryland Resort • Nashville, Tenn.
Mark your calendars for the largest wild turkey convention in the world and make plans to attend Turkey Camp 2007.
Attendees will have the opportunity to hear world-class callers,
see some of the most unique turkey calls ever made, meet outdoor
television show legends, shop for the latest hunting gear and share
turkey-hunting stories with other hunters from across the U.S., Canada
and Mexico.
The Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center is one of the
world's premier convention destinations. In soaring atriums under
glass, the hotel has 9 acres of lush gardens and cascading waterfalls.
Enjoy a lazy Delta River flatboat ride along an indoor winding river,
stroll through exclusive shops or enjoy the nightlife. It's all under
one roof at the Gaylord Opryland.
Not only is this facility beautiful, it is an easy drive via
interstates 24, 65 and 40. Should you wish to fly, the hotel is located
only 10 minutes from the Nashville International Airport. For a nominal
charge, you can travel to the hotel via the Opryland bus shuttle.
Round-trip shuttle tickets can be purchased at the Opryland information
desk, located on the lower level of the airport.
What should I do if I want to attend?
Review the agenda to decide what you would like to attend.
To register online for NWTF events click here. You may also download a registration form to complete and submit by fax or mail, click here.
Note: If you register before Dec. 30, your name will be
entered into an early bird drawing and you just may win a free gun of
the year.
Call the Opryland Hotel
and make a reservation at (888) 777-6779. You may also make your
reservation online. Click the link below, enter the password NWT07 and
click the "submit" button. This will take you to the Gaylord Opryland's
online reservations page.
Thursday's Activities
The NWTF convention kicks off Thursday with the NWTF leadership meeting
at 10:30 a.m. If you are currently serving as the chapter president,
banquet chairman, Women in the Outdoors event coordinator, Wheelin'
Sportsmen event coordinator, or district director, then you will want
to attend this informative meeting. Registration required.
The NWTF's Women in the Outdoors Leadership Meeting will
be held from 1:30 to 3 p.m. on Thursday. This meeting includes games,
prizes, refreshments and a question and answer session. Attendees will
also get the chance to meet Women in the Outdoors spokeswoman Cindy
Garrison, of ESPN2's "Get Wild with Cindy Garrison."
Join over 2,500 dedicated volunteers at the Welcome Party.
Doors open at 5:45 p.m. on Thursday for a rip-roaring good time. Not
only will you enjoy a delicious meal, but also there will be all sorts
of entertainment as well as introductions of special guests throughout
the evening.
New in 2007: State presidens will meet at 8:30 a.m. for breakfast.
Rhett Akins
Aaron Tippin
Bryan White
Craig Morgan
T. Bubba Bechtol
Daryle Singletary
Registration required. This event has reserved
seating. If you wish to sit with someone, we must receive the
registration form for you and the other party together. There are 10
seats per table.
Friday's Activities
On Friday morning, Federal will sponsor the Federal Breakfast.
Doors open at 7:10 a.m. and a plated breakfast will be served at
approximately 7:45 a.m. The Women in the Outdoors program will also be
recognized for their outstanding achievements, and several of the L.A.
Dixon Awards will be presented. Keynote speaker at the Federal
Breakfast will be Sandy Froman, National Rifle Association President. Registration required.
Sandy Froman
At 11:00 a.m., doors open for the Grand National Hunt Auction & Luncheon. You can shop here for a new hunting adventure. Registration required.
On Friday night, gather for the Grand National Celebrity Auction & Dinner
and annual family favorite, the Spit, Drum and Gobbling show. This
event provides lots of laughter to begin a night of shopping for
limited-edition artwork, special firearms, vehicles, and fabulous
hunting trips.
Registration required. This event has
reserved seating. If you wish to sit with someone, we must receive the
registration form for you and the other party together. There are 10
seats per table.
Saturday's Activities
Winchester will start Saturday's activities off by sponsoring the Winchester Breakfast.
Doors open at 7:10 a.m. and a plated breakfast will be served at
approximately 7:50 a.m. During this meal, we will honor our veterans
and recognize our conservation partners. Registration required.*
If you would like to include a photograph of a family member
who served or is currently serving in the military, please email a
photo to Carol Smith at csmith@nwtf.net.
Also on Saturday, the ladies will want to attend the Ladies' Auction and Luncheon.
Furs, vacation weekends, jewelry and decorative items are just a few of
the items that you can take home. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. Registration required.
If call collecting is your favorite pastime, you will want to attend fourth annual Grand National Custom Call Live Auction. Registration for this event begins at 9 a.m. at the Presidential Ballroom B.
Mike Huckabee
Saturday evening is the annual Awards Banquet.
During the evening, the NWTF salutes its top volunteers for their hard
work throughout the year. After dinner, Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee
will address the crowd, and entertainment will follow. More information
to be forthcoming.
Registration required. This event has
reserved seating. If you wish to sit with someone, we must receive the
registration form for you and the other party together. There are 10
seats per table.
Sunday's Activities
Doors open at 7:10 a.m. for the Remington Breakfast.
After a patriotic kickoff, this program highlights the NWTF JAKES and
the NWTF Wheelin' Sportsmen programs by thanking the chapters and
volunteers who have made outstanding contributions during the year to
these outreach programs. A plated breakfast will be served at
approximately 7:45 a.m. Registration required.
Louise Mandrell
The Remington breakfast concludes with the Sunday morning Worship Service in the Delta Ballroom. Louise Mandrell will lead the Worship Service, and Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee will give his testimony.
Hotel Information
To make your hotel reservation, please call (615) 889-1000 or (888)
777-6779 and be sure to tell them you are with the NWTF. The NWTF rate
for traditional room is $155 and the NWTF rate for a garden view is
$175. Garden view rooms have a small patio that overlooks the beautiful
indoor gardens.
General Admission Information:
This information is for attendees who want to come to the show only on
Friday, Saturday and/or Sunday. General admission can be purchased
on-site at the NWTF registration desk in the Delta lobby of the Gaylord
Opryland Hotel. Children 12 and under are free. Three-day passes
(Fri/Sat/Sun) are available for $20. Daily admission cost is $8.
General admission includes entrance to the following:
EXHIBIT HALL: over 535 booths including big deer
displays, custom call championships, wild turkey, white-tailed deer
taxidermy championships, silent auctions, a youth art contest as well
as the winners of the annual NWTF photography contest.
SEMINAR SPEAKERS: We thank these industry leaders for providing informative seminars for many, many NWTF conventions.
Scott Bashore—Custom Call Maker
Ricky Joe Bishop—Lohman Game Calls
David Blanton—Realtree Outdoor Products
Paul Butski—Walker's Game Ear
Ernie Calandrelli—Quaker Boy
Bill Davis—Pure Gold Shotgun Chokes
Mark and Terry Drury—Drury Outdoors
Ray Eye—Eye on the Outdoors
Zack Farmer—Custom Call Maker
Marty Fischer, host of "Shotgun Journal"
Cindy Garrison, Host of "Get Wild with Cindy Garrison"
Denny Gulvas—Gulvas Wildlife Adventures
David Hale—Knight and Hale Game Calls
Dalton Halbrook—The Mountain Man
Dick Kirby—Quaker Boy
Harold Knight—Knight and Hale Game Calls
Matt Morrett—Hunter's Specialties
Earl Mickel and Howard Harlan—Custom Call Makers
Chris Parrish—Knight & Hale Game Calls
Walter Parrott, co-host "Right Place"
Jim Pollard—Woodhaven Custom Calls
Preston Pittman—Preston Pittman Game Calls
Will Primos—Primos Hunting Calls
Alex Rutledge—Hunter's Specialties
Eddie Salter—Hunter's Specialties
Steve Stoltz—Realtree Outdoor Products
Ronnie "Cuz" Strickland—Mossy Oak
Brenda Valentine—Bass Pro Shops
Matt Van Cise—Woodhaven Custom Calls
Michael Waddell—Realtree Outdoor Products
Bob Walker—Walker's Game Ear
CALLING CONTESTS: Senior Division, Owl Hooting, Gobbling,
Intermediate Division, Junior Division, Friction Division, Team
Challenge, Champion of Champions and Spit, Drum and Gobble
JAKES JUNCTION: an area just for the children. Complete
a scavenger hunt within the exhibit hall and win a certificate. There
will be hands-on demonstrations; seminars just for the kids and more
activities.
2007 Exhibitor Information
Booths available for 2007.Over 150,000 square feet of exhibit space. Email today to reserve your spot. Email Lisa Burgess at lburgess@nwtf.net to request booth information.
2007 Convention Sponsors
Full Strut Sponsors: Wild Turkey Bourbon, Bass Pro Shops, Chevrolet, Bank of America
Patron Spur Sponsors: Browning - USRAC, Jeanette C. Rudy
Diamond Spur Sponsors: Brunton, The Lodge at Cabin Bluff, Henkel Harris
Furniture, Leupold & Stevens, Marlin Firearms / H&R 1871, The
Outdoor Channel, The Outdoor Connection, U.S Forest Service
Silver Spur Sponsors: BASF, Ray Bell, Cardiac Diagnostic Services of
Virginia, Federal Cartridge Company, Mathews, Inc., Maurice Hamilburg,
MeadWestvaco, Mossberg Firearms, National Shooting Sports Foundation,
Remington Arms Company, Inc., US Sportsmen's Alliance, Winchester /
Olin Corporation
Bronze Spur Sponsors: National Band & Tag, T.I. Industries Frame Molding, Kanati Calls
Gobbler Sponsors: Callmakers and Collectors Association of America, Crosman, International Paper, Tennessee State Chapter
