EDGEFIELD, S.C. — The Iowa State Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation received an L.A. Dixon Memorial Chapter Award during the NWTF's 34th annual National Convention and Sport Show, which was sponsored by Midway USA, in Nashville, Tenn.

The Iowa State Chapter was recognized by the NWTF for winning second place in the 5,000 to 9,999 members category. The chapter has been a leader in the NWTF's chapter system, and a credit to the NWTF.

The L.A. Dixon Memorial awards are given in honor of a man who gave unselfishly during the NWTF's early years. Dixon founded the NWTF's North Carolina State Chapter, served at the national, state and local levels and traveled thousands of miles at his own expense carrying the NWTF's message to all who would listen. The NWTF honors Dixon's achievements through the L.A. Dixon Memorial Chapter Awards.

"The NWTF's volunteers and chapters make the Federation's conservation and outreach work possible," said George Thornton, NWTF CEO. "We're proud to present our chapters with the L.A. Dixon Awards to honor their excellent performances and unrivaled dedication."

Laura DeCook of Centerville is a volunteer state board member of the Iowa State Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation. DeCook is also a member of the local Chariton Valley Gobblers NWTF chapter. For more information about NWTF in Iowa look up www.iowanwtf. com.

The National Wild Turkey Federation is a nonprofit conservation organization that works daily to further its mission of conserving the wild turkey and preserving our hunting heritage. Through dynamic partnerships with state, federal and provincial wildlife agencies, the NWTF and its members have helped restore wild turkey populations across the country, spending more than $306 million to conserve 14 million acres of habitat for all types of wildlife.

Last year, NWTF chapters hosted nearly 2,300 Hunting Heritage Super Fund banquets to raise funds for the NWTF's conservation and outreach initiatives.

For more information about the NWTF's L.A. Dixon awards or other convention highlights, call (800) THE-NWTF, or go online at www.nwtf.org.

2010 Convention Sponsors:

Affinity4, ATK/Federal Premium Ammunition, Bank of America, Bass Pro Shops, Benelli, Browning, Call Makers and Collectors Association of America, CamoFX, Chevrolet, Farm Service Agency, Foxy Huntress, Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center, HuntVe, Knight Rifles, Leupold and Stevens, Marlin Firearms Company, MeadWestvaco, MidwayUSA, Nashville Convention and Visitors Bureau, National Band and Tag Co., O.F. Mossberg and Sons, Inc., Mossy Oak and The Pursuit Channel, The Outdoor Connection, Remington Arms Company, Inc., SHE Outdoor Apparel, TriStar Sporting Arms, USDA Forest Service, Weatherby, Inc., Wild Turkey Bourbon, Winchester Division/Olin Corp.

About the NWTF: The National Wild Turkey Federation is a nonprofit conservation organization that works daily to further its mission of conserving the wild turkey and preserving our hunting heritage.

Through dynamic partnerships with state, federal and provincial wildlife agencies, the NWTF and its more than 350,000 members have helped restore wild turkey populations across the country, spending more than $306 million to conserve 14 million acres of habitat for all types of wildlife.

The Federation works to increase interest in the outdoors by bringing new hunters and conservationists into the fold through outdoor education events and its outreach programs – Women in the Outdoors, Wheelin’ Sportsmen, JAKES and Xtreme JAKES.

The NWTF was founded in 1973 and is headquartered in Edgefield, S.C. According to many state and federal agencies, the comeback of the wild turkey is arguably the greatest conservation success story in North America’s wildlife history.

Visit www.nwtf.org or call (800) THE-NWTF for details.