EDGEFIELD, S.C. — In 1992, a group of passionate hunters and conservationists in the North Central Heartland area came together with a vision to make a difference in the world of turkey hunting and wildlife conservation. At that time, turkey hunting was still in its infancy, establishing its first hunting season only nine years earlier in 1981. However, these dedicated individuals saw an opportunity to promote ethical hunting practices and contribute to the conservation of wild turkey habitats.
The driving force behind this endeavor was Roger M. Demanette, whose dedication and leadership brought the group together. Recognizing the need for organized efforts, Demanette reached out to the NWTF’s regional director during this time and an organizational meeting was held March 10, 1992. An overwhelming response of 103 attendees came to show their support for the cause. And so, the North Central Heartland Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation was established. Demanette was elected as its president, marking the beginning of a decades-long journey of conservation and community building in Kansas.
The chapter held its first banquet on June 9, 1992.
Over three decades later, the chapter remains active, committed to the mission of its founding members to conserve the wild turkey, educate individuals and protect our hunting heritage. After 31 years as the head of the chapter, Demanette stepped down as chapter president following this year’s annual banquet.
“I’m proud to say we have hosted an NWTF North Central Heartland Chapter banquet every year since,” Demanette said. “I always tell our members that hunting and fishing feed the outdoors, so keep at it, and keep attending our banquets faithfully as you always have in the past and never forget to bring another guest with you. Without you and without them, we wouldn’t be here.”
Initially thrust into the role of president due to his instrumental role in organizing the chapter, Demanette embraced the position wholeheartedly. Reflecting on his time as president, he fondly recalls the early years of traveling to local sports shows, engaging with the community, and educating aspiring hunters about turkey calls and safe hunting practices.
However, the most memorable and cherished experiences for Demanette were the school visits. Eager to connect with the younger generation, he visited schools around Thanksgiving, sharing stories about the first Thanksgiving and introducing the kids to the wild turkeys. Fondly nicknamed “the Turkey Man” by the children, these visits became a favorite of his tenure as chapter president.
“Without a doubt, the biggest highlight of my tenure as president was meeting so many people, especially the kids,” said Demanette.
Throughout his leadership, Demanette spearheaded significant achievements for the North Central Heartland Chapter. Their commitment to conservation and education earned them the distinction of becoming the first Golden Gobbler chapter in the state of Kansas, which is awarded to chapters with a 50 percent net to gross-profit. Additionally, their efforts to engage and support the community led to the unprecedented growth of the chapter, becoming the first chapter to surpass 200 paid members.
In 2011, Demanette received national recognition for his efforts winning a Roger M. Latham Sportsman’s Service Award. This award recognizes outstanding contributions by chapter volunteers who give their personnel time, energy and money to conservation and management of the American wild turkey.
In addition to conservation efforts, Demanette emphasized the importance of educating young people about hunting, gun safety, and habitat conservation. He engaged with young hunters through the chapter’s sponsored hunter education programs, believing in the value of building relationships with the next generation of hunters and instilling a sense of responsibility towards natural resources. The North Central Heartland Chapter also produced its first national scholarship winner in Kansas.
An aspect of Demanette’s involvement with the NWTF that is particularly special to him is sharing the hunting experience with his grandsons, Chase and Jaxon. Witnessing them harvest their first turkeys and fostering a love for nature in the younger generation is a source of great pride for him.
“One of the most meaningful things for me, both as an outdoorsman and as president of the chapter, was being able to pay it forward to my grandsons,” Demanette said. “I truly believe that it’s important that we teach our youth to treasure our resources. In the modern day, we are borrowing natural resources from our kids and grandkids, so we need to be aware of what we’re doing, take extremely good care of them and ensure those resources continue to exist for them and all future generations.”
Throughout his years of involvement with the NWTF, Demanette witnessed significant changes in the wild turkey hunting landscape. While turkey populations flourished at one point, recent years have seen smaller numbers in breeding and winter flocks. Factors like poor nesting conditions, habitat degradation due to weather extremes, and an unbalanced predator-to-prey ratio have impacted turkey populations.
Despite these challenges, Demanette remains optimistic about the resilience of the wild turkey in Kansas.
As he steps down from his role as chapter president, Demanette looks forward to a new chapter in his journey with the NWTF. While he plans to enjoy the banquets as an attendee, he will remain a valuable source of advice and support to ensure the continued success of the North Central Heartland Chapter.
“I would like to personally thank anyone over the years who has been involved with the chapter, through the chapter and because of the chapter. This is my baby. I helped start this. I will not let it falter,” said Demanette, leaving behind a legacy of passion and commitment to conservation.
About the National Wild Turkey Federation
Since 1973, the National Wild Turkey Federation has invested over half a billion dollars into wildlife conservation and has conserved or enhanced over 22 million acres of critical wildlife habitat. The organization continues to drive wildlife conservation, forest resiliency and robust recreational opportunities throughout the U.S. by working across boundaries on a landscape scale.
2023 is the NWTF’s 50th Anniversary and an opportunity to propel the organization’s mission into the future while honoring its rich history. For its 50th Anniversary, the NWTF has set six ambitious goals: positively impact 1 million acres of wildlife habitat; raise $500,000 for wild turkey research; increase membership to 250,000 members; dedicate $1 million to education and outreach programs; raise $5 million to invest in technology and NWTF’s people; and raise $5 million to build toward a $50 million endowment for the future. Learn how you can help us reach these lofty goals.
Credit: Source link