A turkey at Parker River Refuge, Matt Poole/USFWS, Public Domain, https://www.fws.gov/media/turkey-parker-river-refuge

Bowhunters rejoice. You matter in the turkey woods more than you may realize.

As many know, wild turkeys were almost wiped out in the early 1900s.

But hunters (all of us) help save wild turkeys! We fund conservation initiatives, support regulated hunting, and work alongside wildlife agencies to reintroduce wild turkeys to their natural habitats.

Thanks to our efforts (and others), today's wild turkey population has soared past six million birds. The wild turkey comeback is one of America's greatest conservation success stories, and bowhunters were a big reason why.

Be proud!

Now, let's narrow things down and talk about bowhunters specifically.

Many people don't realize that every time a bowhunter buys archery gear, broadheads, or even a new bow, it's helping fund conservation. That's because of the Pittman-Robertson Act of 1937, which places an 11% excise tax on hunting equipment—including bows and arrows.

Since the act was passed, it has pumped over $17.7 billion into conservation efforts, with nearly $1 billion contributed in 2024 alone (RMEF, 2025).

And it doesn't stop there. We bowhunters also contribute to conservation through hunting licenses and permits, contributing $896 million annually to funding state wildlife agencies (RMEF, 2025). These funds go directly toward wild turkey habitat restoration, research, and population management.

So, next time you buy a pack of broadheads, know that you're helping wild turkeys thrive, and (cough, cough) if you don't practice with those broadheads, a few of those turkeys will thrive next year, too.

Beyond buying gear, bowhunters support conservation groups dedicated to protecting wild turkeys. One of the biggest names in the game is the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF).

Since 1973, NWTF has led habitat conservation and turkey population management. Through initiatives like Save the Habitat and Save the Hunt, NWTF has set ambitious goals. By 2023, it had recruited 1.5 million new hunters, opened 500,000 acres for hunting access, and conserved or enhanced four million acres of turkey habitat.

Bowhunters have been a huge part of NWTF's success, proving that conservation and hunting go hand in hand.

Another way we bowhunters have given to gobblers is through our participation in regulated hunting, which plays a significant role in keeping turkey populations balanced. Without it, turkeys can overpopulate, strain food sources, and spread disease.

Take my home state (you mean commonwealth, Jay) of Virginia, for example. During the 2024–25 fall turkey season, hunters harvested 1,423 wild turkeys, nearly matching the 1,443 harvested the year before (Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources [DWR], 2025).

These controlled harvests help keep populations in check, ensuring that turkeys and their habitats stay healthy for years.

How do wildlife agencies track turkey numbers and keep tabs on their health? Well, bowhunters help with that, too.

Programs like the Virginia Bowhunter Survey rely on hunters to report turkey sightings and other wildlife observations (DWR, 2025). This data helps biologists adjust hunting regulations and conservation efforts to keep wild turkey numbers strong.

And research doesn't stop there. In 2022, the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC) launched a 4.5-year, $2 million study to learn more about turkey genetics, nesting success, and survival rates (ODWC, 2025).

Despite all this progress, wild turkeys still face challenges like habitat loss, urban expansion continuing to shrink their natural range, and Mother Nature's mood swings with unpredictable weather patterns affecting nesting success and predation. So, conservationists and bowhunters must continue working together to address these threats, focusing on habitat restoration, predator management, and responsible hunting practices.

Bowhunters must continue to be a driving force behind wild turkey conservation. So, the next time you draw your bow on a gobbler, remember (anchor, aim, release, follow through), you're part of something much bigger. You're helping keep the wild turkey tradition alive.

References

• Archery Trade Association (ATA). (2025). NWTF's conservation efforts and involvement opportunities for ATA members. Retrieved from https://archerytrade.org
• Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC). (2025). Wild turkey research update. Retrieved from https://www.wildlifedepartment.com
• Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF). (2025). Hunting is conservation. Retrieved from https://www.rmef.org
• Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR). (2025). Draft Virginia Wild Turkey Management Plan 2025-2034. Retrieved from https://dwr.virginia.gov

— Jay Pinsky
Editor - The Archery Wire & The Hunting Wire
jay@theoutdoorwire.com