ATLANTA - On a rainy night in Georgia, the stars came out as National Wild
Turkey Federation CEO Rob Keck welcomed attendees to the 32nd annual NWTF Convention and Sport Show.Country music star and avid turkey hunter Craig Morgan (left) and NWTF CEO
Rob Keck (right) share hunting stories from the stage at Thursday night's
kickoff event for the 2008 NWTF Convention in Atlanta.
As his organization celebrates its 35th anniversary this year, Keck soon
turned the stage over to country music star - and fellow turkey hunting
enthusiast - Craig Morgan, who led the huge crowd in the pledge of
allegiance to the U.S. flag.
Moments later, Challenger, a rescued and non-releasable American bald eagle
cared for by the American Eagle Foundation of Pigeon Forge, Tenn., wowed the crowd as the symbol of our nation flew majestically throughout the banquet hall at Georgia's World Congress Center.
Then Keck welcomed turkey hunting enthusiast Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue to
the stage, from a turkey hunting pop-up blind no less.
After Keck told a story detailing a recent turkey hunt with Perdue, he
presented a Hunting Heritage award to Perdue. "That gobbler there with that longbeard that is hanging over that fellow's shoulder (on the award), he kind of looks like a grandfather," Perdue said."As a grandfather, I look forward (to the day) when my grandkids will have a turkey slung over their shoulder like that"
Later in the evening - as country music stars like Mike Snider; Daryle
Singletary; Rhett Akins with his Realtree clad guitar and "Hung Up in the Holler" turkey hunting song; and headliner Tracy Lawrence prepared to play to thousands - Perdue was gracious enough to take a few moments out of his busy evening."We're glad to have them back," Perdue said. "They haven't been back since
1996; I hope they come (back) more often than that."
"It's a wonderful organization, very passionate about conservation, very
passionate about a great game bird, and (their) restoration effort, every
body is so excited about it."
Perdue observed that the NWTF's work is duly noted in his Peach Tree State.
"We're seeing more and more turkey hunters every year in Georgia and
fortunately the flock is growing great as well," he said.
"It's a great sport and we're really passionate about it here in Georgia."
Mind you, Perdue isn't a photo op politician on a hunt - he knows firsthand the excitement of spring turkey hunting.
"I didn't grow up turkey hunting because there weren't any turkeys (here)," Perdue said. "I grew up as a bird hunter and training bird dogs. But I've been hunting them for about 10 years now and it's just as addictive as
everybody says."
How addictive?
In addition to his considerable duties at the Statehouse, last spring,
Perdue found enough spare time to visit Texas, Kansas, and Alabama on turkey
hunts, as well as filling his turkey tags here in Georgia.
"I had a great year," Perdue smiled.
At Thursday night's welcome party, Perdue reminded convention goers that
while much work has been accomplished with the wild turkey across North
America, much work remains to be done.
That includes passing the torch of our hunting heritage and a sound
conservation ethic on to the next generation.Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue listens to fellow Peach Tree State resident Daryle
Singletary perform at Thursday night's opening gala for the 2008 NWTF
Convention in Atlanta.
"It's extremely important, the memories of how I grew up and the character
that that instilled in me," Perdue said.
"I grew up on a farm and my dad told me that if you take care of the land,
it will take care of you.
"It did that and that's where I really got my heart for stewardship, for
caring for the land, for caring for the wildlife, and making sure that we
leave it better than we found it."
Perdue was quick to point out that leaving things better than found will
require key partnerships with organizations like the NWTF.
"Government can't do it all," he said. "We've got a great effort here in
land conservation in Georgia, but we rely on organizations like the National
Wild Turkey Federation, other wildlife organizations, as well as private
individuals and foundations.
"Partnering together we can conserve more with conservation easements as
well as publicly accessible lands and we couldn't do it without these
organizations."
As the governor prepared to return to his seat to be entertained by fellow
Georgian Daryle Singletary, I posed one final question and queried Perdue
about his turkey hunting plans this spring.
"All I can," he smiled.
Just like every one of the more than 30,000+ visitors expected to attend
this weekend's NWTF Convention in Atlanta.