6-2-24 NCNWTF Board Meeting

Members Present: Howard Rumfelt, Robert Smith, Ted White, Luke Gibson, Perry Bryant, Ken

Moore, Greg Cook, Mason Krol, Richard Plattenberger, Kenneth Sheilds, Matthew Thompson,

Jason Hufsteter, Bill Collart, Alex Royster, John Edmondson, Roger Reynolds,

Guest: Tim Draughon, Trey Oliver, Cully McCurdy, Hannah Plumpton, Chris Turner, Rudy

Semione

Howard opened up.

Ken did invocation.

Old minutes were presented, Ken motioned to accept, Jason second, passed unanimous not

discussion.

Robert discussed accounts/reports. $257 discrepancy. This was from previous travel from

Superfund. Ken motioned to waive and start fresh, seconded by several, motioned carried

unanimously.

Superfund - $179, 213.

Howard – asked Cully about endowment commitment, $25,000 – Cully will follow up later. This

will come from state chapter funds (checking).

Cully – reported that Laura Prevatte was not there, had to go to hospital, she is home and doing

better. Her report will be emailed.

Hannah – introduced new Game Bird Supervisor, Chris Turner, (previously worked in district.

Chris spoke briefly, happy to be here, told us a little about his experience.

Hannah presented a PowerPoint, harvest rates down a little (15 birds). Luke asked about turkey

hunter numbers – they are holding steady. Jason asked if there were issues that kept her up at

night, and Richard asked about the hatch for 2025.

Hannah explained the process for new rule proposals. Then presented this year’s proposals that

pertained to turkeys:

1. Youth season moved to second Saturday of April (only 2 days – Saturday and

Sunday).

2. Regular season to open third Saturday in April, length of season unchanged.

The goals of these changes is to maximize management, maximize high quality of birds and

maximize the population.

There questions about ties to the chronology study (Bill), may be too early for this. Also, why

the change after the week long regs are fairly new (2014)? A week seemed to long and was only

beneficial for hunters depending on school spring breaks.

Alex brough up youth ages – 50 or. Less turkeys killed by hunters under 5 years old. Alex asked

about non-resident hunters – Hannah states this has minimal impact.

Matt commented on gobbling after the season.

Howard asked for support for 2-day youth season, Hannah reiterated that 60% of turkey

hunting is done on the weekends.

Trey asked if Sunday hunting was all day, Hannah mentioned the 3hr. restrictions (church).

Hannah mentioned that harvest by numbers seems uniform per square mile,

mountains/piedmont/coast (all lands eligible to hunt). This is dependent on data/info/rules.

You can’t regulate “bad” habitat and turkeys are ground nesting birds. Bad habitat means less

turkeys!

There was discussion on survey cards.

Other discussion included reduced bag limits, afternoon hunting, hunting aids (TSS, fanning),

etc.

Trey asked about number of hunters that took two birds (4%).

Culley mentioned that riffle kills in Va. were 30% hens.

Richard asked about effects of killing dominate bird?

Luke questioned the logic of the 300yrd rule from bait – “fair chase”? Also, the effects of turkey

hunting contest.

Alex asked about the effects of bearded hens being killed on the hatch.

Howard reiterated – “habitat, habitat, habitat”!

This discussion got to the point that everyone was talking over each other.

Howard asked for a consensus for support of shorter youth season and later start date, and

cautioned saying you “represent the NWTF”. Give your opinions as an individual.

Bill made a motion to support a two-day youth season and regular season a week late with the

same length. Multiple seconds – no opposition, motion passes. Cully will do a page brief.

Roger asked about mold on the corn.

Cully discussed Duke Foundation – money left over, can use it for work on state game lands for

NWTF. Four projects in mind:

1. Suggs Mill Pound – 25 acres, drainage/pipe -$20,000

2. 2. Yadkin River - hunter access - $6,000

3. 3. South Mountain – spraying kudzu $24,000

4. 4. North Peidmont – spray understory $28,000

$108,000 budget, $64,000 provided by Duke Foundation, leaves $44,000 balance.

Habitat for the hatch – Northeast Initiative, $190548.10 available. We do have some

outstanding balances. Coastal Project (Luke), Praying Creek (Howard) $160,500 – a lot of

discussion and talking over each other.

Members by state – NC number 10 in nation for adult members, WITO numbers are not

accurate on this report.

RD Report

Trey – YTD $932, 118 net – kicking around 1million.

Calendars will be provided soon (end of July).

There was discussion on credit to banquet ($20 per calendar). Many said that this is not on

banquet report, Trey states it is taken off in Edgefield. In 2026 calendars will be $60, chapters

get $26 per calendar. Possibly do 2 sets (east/west).

EMS was discussed, money must be counted the night of the event and forms filled out – more

to come on this.

Summer auction – will get an email – revenue will be added to chapter revenue.

Bill questioned national awards and sending people, a few got award and were not made aware

of it.

Howard warned about scam emails. – don’t buy gift cards!

Tim – still learning.

Roger asked about active chapters – no clear answer.

Scholarship Report

Ted reminded chapters to start working on this. Email Howard a Cully for superfund request for

scholarship., it is done in ncsuperfund.net.

Call Makers Report

Ted mentioned. Possible changes to next year event, adding a new divisions.

Board Members Update

Miss two meetings, grounds for removal.

Discussion on helping new members with guidance.

No action taken here.

Month of Gun tickets – 12,000 out now. Has gone smoother, Discussion on getting a pdf done.

Guns, Four wheeler and safe has been paid for.

Shindig – Sept, 28 th – get your tickets. Went down a rabbit hole with discussion.

Save the habitat coordinator -John Edmondson was nominated and seconded.

Discussed symposium in Morrisville, a lot of random discussion.

Howard – hold off 3 rivers until Sept. when we get NCWRC request.

Jason mentioned making Mason Social Media Coordinator.

Howard – we have decommissioned /junked one of the JAKES trailers. Need to do something

with contents – lots of discussion.

Revisit archery on trailers, Sept. Cully will get clarification.

Roger – Do RDs have an idea of banquet package for shindig prizes.

Several motions and seconds to adjourn.

Next meeting at shindig.