EDGEFIELD, S.C.— The Superstition Strutters Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation made a grand debut on Aug. 10, hosting their inaugural banquet at the Gold Canyon Golf Resort and Spa in Gold Canyon, Arizona. The event was an overwhelming success, setting a new record for a first-time banquet in the state.
The banquet was attended by 210 supporters and featured a wide array of raffles and games, with over 40 firearms available to win through numerous opportunities.
One of the highlights of the evening was the live auction, which included a diverse lineup of prizes and guided hunts. Among the standout items was a football signed by 23 Heisman Trophy winners, presented by Ty Detmer, a Heisman winner himself, who shared his experience with the attendees.
The auction also featured the coveted 2025 Arizona Commissioner’s Turkey Tag, which was sold for a record-breaking $16,000. This tag offers the rare opportunity to hunt a Gould’s turkey in Arizona, one of only two states in the U.S. where this subspecies can be legally hunted. The winner could also choose the opportunity to hunt a Rio or a Merriam wild turkey.
“This tag provides the opportunity for the someone to get their U.S. Royal Slam, killing an Eastern, Osceola, Rio, Merriam’s and Gould’s turkey,” said Justin Watts, NWTF regional director. “The dollars raised go back to the AZGFD, and the Arizona NWTF State Chapter gets to allocate the dollars to the habitat projects brought forward.”
Every dollar raised through these tags is dedicated exclusively to habitat restoration—none of it is used by the Arizona Game and Fish Department for any other purpose. These funds are directed to the Habitat Partnership Committee, which is designed to facilitate local decision-making on wildlife habitat issues and improvements. The committee also serves as a platform for developing partnerships and fostering communication between private, state and federal entities.
“The members of the Habitat Partnership Committee then work with the AZGFD to decide where this money should be spent,” said Roy Crain, Arizona NWTF State Chapter president. “Our representative on the Habitat Partnership Committee is John Millican, former AZGFD wildlife biologist and president of the NWTF Huachuca Gould’s Chapter. I work with John on this, but John is the one who knows this stuff inside and out.”
The evening’s efforts paid off with a net income exceeding $100,000. A significant portion of these funds will be directed toward various habitat and conservation projects across Arizona, in collaboration with NWTF district biologist Chuck Carpenter, to identify and support high-quality habitat and conservation projects in the state.
Looking ahead, the Superstition Strutters Chapter is already planning their next events, including a JAKES event in the fall and a golf tournament in May 2025. Additionally, they are eager to expand their 2025 Hunting Heritage Banquet, building on the momentum from this year’s success.
As the Superstition Strutters Chapter continues to grow, they remain dedicated to supporting the mission of the NWTF both locally and nationally, ensuring the conservation of wild turkeys and the preservation of our hunting heritage.
About the National Wild Turkey Federatio
Since 1973, the National Wild Turkey Federation has invested over half a billion dollars into wildlife conservation and has positively impacted over 23 million acres of critical wildlife habitat. The NWTF has also invested over $10 million into wild turkey research to guide the management of the wild turkey population and to ensure sustainable populations into perpetuity. The organization continues to deliver its mission by working across boundaries on a landscape scale through its Four Shared Values: clean and abundant water, healthy forests and wildlife habitat, resilient communities, and robust recreational opportunities. With the help of its dedicated members, partners and staff, the NWTF continues its work to provide Healthy Habitats. and Healthy Harvests. for future generations.
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