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By Charlie Duckett

Special to The Selma Times-Journal

Spring is in the air and so are the thundering sounds of gobbling turkeys. This means it is time for the Blaster Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) to hold its 2024 Superfund and Hunting Heritage Banquet.

The event will be held Friday, March 15  at the Y Not Entertainment facility located at 2940 County Road 27 in Selma. The doors will open at 6 p.m. with dinner being served at 7 p.m. Rousso’s Seafood, heralded as the Gulf Coast’s finest seafood buffet, will once again cater for the event.

This is the 34th annual Banquet for Selma’s Chapter and the organization looks forward to another successful effort on behalf of the wild turkey. In addition to the great food, the banquet has gained popularity as an evening that can be enjoyed by the entire family. It features live auctions as well as raffle events.

The money raised at the event will be used to support the various conservation and hunting preservation efforts of the NWTF. In a report from Charity Navigator, America’s largest independent charity evaluator, the NWTF was found to put 89.9 cents of every dollar raised towards its mission. The NWTF also received the highest score possible on fundraising expenses and efficiency. It is one of the few national conservation organizations which returns the majority of its funds to its grassroots membership in each state..

With the funds raised in 2023, the State and local Chapters of the Alabama NWTF contributed $282,455 for 43 projects within Alabama. These projects will impact over 114,000 acres and result in matching funds of around $1.4 million. In addition to projects affecting Alabama, the State Chapter contributed $100,000 for research projects and habitat enhancement at the National level.

Of the funds allocated within Alabama, $49,962 went to scholarships, education, 

and youth development and $78,994 went to habitat improvement and management. These habitat management activities include 40,244 acres conserved due to equipment purchased by the NWTF and 8,415 acres impacted through the seed subsidy program and wildlife planting.

Selma’s Blaster Chapter has earned the “Golden Gobbler Award” every year since its charter and is one of only four chapters in the nation to achieve Golden Gobbler status for thirty years. The success of Selma’s Chapter is due to the overwhelming and unselfish support of local businesses, professionals, and individuals who sponsor the Chapter’s Super Fund Banquet. These sponsors believe in and support the NWTF in its effort to preserve America’s hunting heritage and conservation of all species of wildlife. They recognize that these efforts will be most appreciated by future generations of hunters and wildlife enthusiasts alike.

Banquet tickets, which include NWTF membership, meal and refreshments can be acquired from any committee member or by contacting Jere Peak (872-2303) or Jason Potvin (375-0298).