On the Draw. Wild turkeys need a unique combination of habitat including trees to roost in and grass cover to nest and raise young in. Where these varied types of cover come together is often along the creeks and rivers in great plains states, and that’s where NWTF is focusing its conservation efforts through the organization’s Waterways for Wildlife initiative. Simonson Photo.
By Nick Simonson
With a temperate spring and generally favorable conditions, turkey hunters in North Dakota have been able to take advantage of the comparatively long hunting season in hopes of tagging a tom. What’s more, increased tags in 2025 compared to the previous spring have allowed more sportspeople to get out in the field after the largest of the state’s upland birds and experience the hunt. That continued increase in bird numbers and recruitment of more hunters is at the forefront of the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF), explains Clayton Lenk, District Biologist for the organization for the upper Midwest region which includes the Peace Garden State.
“Things have been looking pretty good, the last several years actually, not only in North Dakota but throughout the upper Midwest in general. The last several years lots of states have been having record harvests or near record harvest years, which is a good indicator that [wild turkey] populations are doing pretty well,” Lenk details, “the NWTF’s mission is that we are dedicated to the conservation of the wild turkey and the preservation of our hunting heritage. So it’s a two pronged mission: one is focusing on the resource and habitat and all the great things that go along with conservation projects; and the other side of it is our hunting heritage side, which is mentoring youth, R3, education outreach and many of those things which are important to the future of funding for wildlife,” he concludes.
At the forefront of NWTF habitat efforts in the upper Midwest is the preservation of vital riparian habitat; that is, those areas of trees, grass and other vital fauna along streams, creeks and rivers which provide ideal roosting and rearing grounds for wild turkeys. In addition to improving places where wild turkeys thrive and raise their young, projects impacting thousands of acres along these waterways have also helped improve shoreline vegetation, prevent erosion, increase water quality and limit turbidity due to sedimentation. This process often involves partnership with landowners and operators along and around those waterways, in efforts benefitting both wildlife and livestock.
“In the Dakotas and across the great plains we put a heavy emphasis on riparian habitat, and riparian projects. Less than three percent of the great plains is considered riparian habitat, probably much less of that is considered ideal or good habitat especially for turkeys, but over 70 percent of wildlife species in the great plains utilize those habitats in their life cycle. So, it’s a very critical habitat type for us to focus on, so we’ve been really focusing our efforts – especially with our Waterways for Wildlife initiative – on those riparian areas in the great plains, and we’ve seen a big return on those already,” Lenk explains.
Through partnerships with operators, NWTF helps fund alternative grazing programs which keep livestock away from waterways and out of streams and creeks, preventing erosion and preserving shoreline habitat utilized by nesting turkeys and broods. Additionally, the organization through leveraged grant dollars helps establish wells and other watering systems for herds to be created in spaces away from riparian areas to help maintain habitat continuity to the benefit of turkeys and other wildlife species.
The Waterways for Wildlife program is part of four NWTF national habitat initiatives across the organization’s regions and focuses on the 10 great plains states from Montana and North Dakota down to Texas and New Mexico. Now in its fourth year, the program has improved nearly 43,000 acres in the region with NWTF leveraging more than 730,000 dollars matched with 27 million dollars from partner funds and grants for an impressive 36-to-1 match ratio.
More information on the organization, its growing research programs for wild turkey biology and conservation, habitat initiatives and how to get involved can be found at nwtf.org. The North Dakota spring turkey season runs until May 18, 2025.