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South Dakota’s Ron Schauer Earns National Conservation Award

Ron Schauer, active member of the NWTF’s East Dakota Chapter, received national recognition as one of the recipients of the Roger M. Latham Sportsman Wild Turkey Service Awards for his extraordinary dedication to the organization’s mission. Schauer received the Roger M. Latham Sportsman Wild Turkey Service Award during the NWTF’s 49th annual NWTF Convention and Sport Show, sponsored by Mossy Oak.

“I am very honored and grateful for having been selected to receive the Roger Latham Award,” Schauer said. “I would like to thank the NWTF Board of Directors for selecting me and the South Dakota State Chapter for nominating me for this prestigious award. NWTF is truly a great conservation organization that does an amazing job managing and protecting our natural resources, especially when it comes to the wild turkey. Their mission and goals help ensure that all people enjoy the outdoors and our hunting heritage. It has been a privilege to be a volunteer for the NWTF for over 33 years, and I have no plans to stop now.”

Schauer has been a part of the effort to introduce the Eastern wild turkey in South Dakota, and he helped rewrite the South Dakota State Wild Turkey Stakeholder Group management plan that is currently used and will be used until 2029. He also has helped develop 120 acres of Horsted Game Production Area alongside South Dakota Game Fish and Parks.

Not only is Schauer a vocal advocate for conservation, but he has also been involved in fundraising events, sport shows and local outreach and education. As co-chair of the Wheelin’ Pheasant Hunt that is currently in its 20th year, he helped make this event a first-class event that was honored at the 2024 National Convention as one of the Membership Achievement Award winners.

He has helped the South Dakota Wildlife Federation Youth Conservation Camp, which is an outdoor educational camp that teaches a large variety of conservation concepts and ethics. Here he teaches campers about the biology and proper management of wild turkey populations.  

“Ron’s contributions to the NWTF span over decades and involve all aspects of our mission, from the conservation of the wild turkey, to helping make the outdoors more accessible to others and to reaching younger generations; Ron’s efforts and dedication capture what it means to be an NWTF volunteer,” NWTF co-CEO Jason Burckhalter said. “We are proud to honor Ron with one of our prestigious Roger Latham Wild Turkey Service Awards.”

SD NWTF State Chapter & SD Game Fish & Parks Celebrate 20th Annual Wheelin Sportsman Event

September 28, 2024 marked the celebration of the 20th year the Wheelin Pheasant Hunt has been held at Sioux River Wildlife, near Flandreau, SD. This year’s event was again sponsored by the South Dakota NWTF State Chapter and South Dakota Game Fish & Parks. Owners Tad and Kathy Jabobs have hosted this event since 2014. There were 30 hunters attending, which was a record number for this year’s event. In addition there were 34 volunteers, including approximately 10 dog owners, who helped to work the fields to hopefully move the birds towards the hunters. South Dakota has had a stretch of hot dry weather in our region and with the temperature was hovering near 90 degrees the day of the event. All together there were 86 birds harvested.

Hunt organizer Tad Jacobs states, “What does it mean to participants and volunteers? I think many of us share what we have heard many times that this is the "highlight of his year". NWTF at its core is a service organization dedicated to the survival of the wild turkey. What is equally important is the organizations commitment to men, women, and youth to create opportunities for enjoying the great outdoors. This includes hunting for sure but so much more including education, fellowship, and opportunity. What I hear from the hunters and the volunteers at the hunt is not just the hunt itself but the annual gathering of “the family". Providing hunting opportunities for those who can’t easily access them is what we are about. What I enjoy most are the smiles, laughter, conversations around the tables. Watching the dogs and the birds flying across our beautiful South Dakota country side.... well it doesn’t get much better! It all doesn’t happen without support from all the volunteers, South Dakota NWTF, South Dakota Game, Fish, and Parks, and financial sponsorship”.

A lunch, banquet dinner, raffles and silent auction were also part of the day’s event. Local and state NWTF chapters host thousands of similar events nationwide each year through the organization’s Education and Outreach programs.

Jackie Lane Wins Hunt of a Lifetime

Another successful JAKES Hunt of a Lifetime.  Fourteen year old Jackie Lane from Avon, SD harvested this gorgeous Tom on Saturday, April 27 at about noon.  The bird sported an 8" beard, 3/4' spurs and weighed in at 19.5 lbs.  We had jakes as close as 5 yards earlier in the morning but decided to pass on them for a better bird.  Despite much cooler weather, we were able to find this gobbler with a small group of other birds and one grumpy peacock!!