Any truth to this rumour?

Our local banquet is scheduled for March 7th? I hope local volunteers aren't on the hook for hall and caterer deposits:mad:


On Friday, Jan. 3, 2014, the NWTF Board of Directors voted to suspend its fundraising operations in Canada indefinitely. This decision was based on a pending change in NWTF status under Canadian tax structure and a comprehensive evaluation of fundraising operations in Canada. This decision will allow the NWTF to focus on its long-term business plans and mission across North America.

The NWTF is proud of its accomplishments in Canada, including establishing wild turkey populations in Canada. The NWTF is grateful to all of its volunteers, members and staff in Canada for their support.

The NWTF is dedicated to the conservation of the wild turkey and the preservation of our hunting heritage.

What's nwtf.

national wild turkey federation, I take it you are not a turkey hunter:)

No.. I grow my own.. Although am thinking about it.

sound like they lost their tax free status.....so they won't play here anymore :(

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by MikePal

sound like they lost their tax free status.....so they won't play here anymore :(

---

More than likely the reason... Shame though, but hey there's a healthy population thanks to the Federation of Anglers and Hunters and a realistic season and number of birds allowed. The population should be able to sustain itself unless we get a couple of winters like the one we're having now.

It's not a rumour. I got the email today from the provincial president explaining NWTF Canada was finished and the chapter was ending. I find it interesting they used the term North America in the same announcement that withdraws them from half of it.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Bo D

More than likely the reason... Shame though, but hey there's a healthy population thanks to the Federation of Anglers and Hunters and a realistic season and number of birds allowed. The population should be able to sustain itself unless we get a couple of winters like the one we're having now.

---

With all the snow and cold we are seeing Wild Turkeys daily on our property or adjoining farms. This doesn't usually happen until later near March. Yesterday I saw a flock of 10 Toms & Jakes eating in a corn filed about 1 km from the house. Mind you, with the blizzard we are still experiencing, it will be much tougher on them.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Yedi

It's not a rumour. I got the email today from the provincial president explaining NWTF Canada was finished and the chapter was ending. I find it interesting they used the term North America in the same announcement that withdraws them from half of it.

---

dead on correct. I have not got that warm fuzzy feeling from the NWTF since Keck resigned a few years back. Maybe we should be asking " Now What The F$%&" happened to all the money that was raised in the province and we never saw a penny of.

Not to kick up a real s%$t storm here, usually tax free status gets revoked when an organization that fundraises here, sends a disproportionate amount of those funds outside our borders.

Sounds like they failed their compliance audit.

I'm all for Habitat initiatives, which is why I'm a member of DU ( or DUC as the case may be). Ducks Unlimited realized the accountability needs to be there years ago.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Bluebulldog

Not to kick up a real s%$t storm here, usually tax free status gets revoked when an organization that fundraises here, sends a disproportionate amount of those funds outside our borders.

Sounds like they failed their compliance audit.

I'm all for Habitat initiatives, which is why I'm a member of DU ( or DUC as the case may be). Ducks Unlimited realized the accountability needs to be there years ago.

---

I've always been an NWTF supporter and was even involved in few of their programs but it always bothered me how we went to such great lengths to fundraise here in Ontario when the vast majority of the money raised went to the US and their programs.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by TPM

I've always been an NWTF supporter and was even involved in few of their programs but it always bothered me how we went to such great lengths to fundraise here in Ontario when the vast majority of the money raised went to the US and their programs.

---

Which is no doubt why the lost their status.

There is no harm whatsoever in continuing to support them, if that's what folks want to do. For my dollar, I'd rather support DUC, and the OFAH who indeed keep all money and efforts where we can see it.

No one should be too surprised. For the last 10 or so years its been like watching a slow train headed toward the end of the track.

Back when I was involved with Pheasants Forever I discovered that "NWTF Syndrome" was an obstacle to fundraising and membership. No matter that the banquet dollars flowed differently in PF, some folks couldn't get past their NWTF experiences.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ninepointer

No one should be too surprised. For the last 10 or so years its been like watching a slow train headed toward the end of the track.

Back when I was involved with Pheasants Forever I discovered that "NWTF Syndrome" was an obstacle to fundraising and membership. No matter that the banquet dollars flowed differently in PF, some folks couldn't get past their NWTF experiences.

---

Hopefully now that they are effectively done in Canada it will maybe make it easier for pheasants forever etc to get more people involved.

I was a staunch supporter as well. I participated in the trap and transfer around WMU93 to 94, years ago. It always concerned me that we had great difficulty getting funds from Edgefield, to assist with any projects we wanted to undertake. I bailed out years ago, and refused to spend a dime to support the NWTF. I'm not really surprised at this information. Their support has been going downhill for years.

I know this is going to have a big impact on a number of annual events at East Elgin Sportsman. My wife and I ran the crossbow clinics for Excalibur at the Women In The Outdoors week-end every June. A couple of youth programs are in jeopardy too.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by TPM

I know this is going to have a big impact on a number of annual events at East Elgin Sportsman. My wife and I ran the crossbow clinics for Excalibur at the Women In The Outdoors week-end every June. A couple of youth programs are in jeopardy too.

---

Because NWTF provided sponsorship money for those programs?

If so, there are a number of other organizations that will probably step up, particularly for the youth programs.

Cabelas is looking to make some serious inroads in this province, as well Can Tire is also well known for sponsoring youth initiatives in sports ( fishing and hunting included).

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Bluebulldog

Because NWTF provided sponsorship money for those programs?

If so, there are a number of other organizations that will probably step up, particularly for the youth programs.

Cabalas is looking to make some serious inroads in this province, as well Can Tire is also well known for sponsoring youth initiatives in sports ( fishing and hunting included).

---

Ya, they sponsered the programs. From what I understand it's not as much about the funding as it is about thte insurance they provided for the events.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by TPM

Ya, they sponsered the programs. From what I understand it's not as much about the funding as it is about thte insurance they provided for the events.

---

If your club is affiliated with the OFAH, it should have a generous amount of insurance already.

I'm sure there is a work around so those programs don't fall by the wayside.

PM me. I'd be happy to assist. I've done quite a lot of event planning involving service clubs, and would happily help in some leg work for your club.

I got the email as well....

This really has me ticked off!
A group of us worked hard to form a new chapter this past year & organize and run a banquet.
I've sponsored at banquets for a few years & this year also donated artwork as well.
All that hard work and now its all down the drain.

I think each Canadian member should cancel their NWTF membership.
I'm personally sending my membership card back & demanding a refund on my membership fees!
They can get their US members to foot their bills from now on.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by TPM

Ya, they sponsered the programs. From what I understand it's not as much about the funding as it is about thte insurance they provided for the events.

---

EESA's programs are covered by insurance provided through the Canadian Shooting Sports Association, so no worries there. The Jakes trapshooting program is still a go for the this week, at least until the local NWTF execs figure out what is what. The Women In The Outdoors program - who knows, we'll see. If NWTF Canada is no longer, I imagine the WITO weekend is over, unless another group picks it up.

Sounds like it is time for an Ontario specific group to step into the niche vacated by NWTF. I think it is important to have an organization dedicated to wild turkey hunting, habitat preservation, etc.

16 years ago the NWTF started a chapter in my neck of the woods, my friend was president for a short stint and I was the treasurer. After our first banquet we raised a lot of money very quickly. They had this fellow (will not mention his name) Canadian guy, big time turkey hunter, turkey necklace the whole nine yards, explained how the money we raised would be used in our area. He worked for the NWTF, set everything up. Let's just say some funny things took place, one plus one equals three kind of stuff and I don't know if any of that money was ever used for projects up here. I quickly removed myself from anything to do with that group. As far as turkeys in Ontario you can thank the OFAH for that not the NWTF.

NWTF operated in Canada under charitable status .We were advised by CRA that we no longer qualified and should reapply for non profit status .CRA was not being adversarial . Edgefield decided not to proceed with the change .

From the time we were established in Ontario until trap and transfer ended most if not all superfund money went to those programs .

GLENN

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by MikePal

sound like they lost their tax free status.....so they won't play here anymore :(

---

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Glenn Kelley

NWTF operated in Canada under charitable status .We were advised by CRA that we no longer qualified and should reapply for non profit status .CRA was not being adversarial . Edgefield decided not to proceed with the change

---

Give the man a cigar !!! :)

Mike,
We did not and would not have lost "tax free status" .We just fit better in the other category .

Glenn

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Glenn Kelley

Mike,
We did not and would not have lost "tax free status" .We just fit better in the other category .

Glenn

---

Glenn what is it that differenciates the NWTF from Delta and DU to name a few?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by topher

What's nwtf.

---

Newfoundland women's titty federation lol

Barry,
The difference is a matter of focus . NWTF started in Canada to support to reintroduction of the wild turkey .Which we did . Lately we have put most of our resources toward habitat improvement and hunter recruitment . Regarding habitat we're interested in the uplands .

DU and Delta concentrate on wetland .

DU is habitat oriented and I've been told no longer fund material inputs . They do studies and supply expertise .
Delta is more hunter oriented than DU .
I don't belong to either of these so I may not be dead on with that description .

None of us have any gov't supported funding .

Glenn

Just a heads up Glenn - DUC directly funds wetland conservation through hands on wetland habitat preservation, improvement/enhancement and when warranted outright purchase of threatened wetlands. DUC has a very engaged, full-time conservation and engineering staff. Perhaps your thinking of the relatively new stewardship/restoration services program that works with landowners that really want to do much of the work by themselves - more of a fee/service type model. DUC continues to evolve in order to best deliver an array of solutions across the province.

Thanks.

It's sad that my first post has to be about this but anyone that went to these banquets seen that it was a money grab with very little to no money used around the chapter area, I joined a NWTF chapter in Dundas years ago and it was a farce to put it kindly, I know what the guy posting about " the big time turkey hunter" guy is talking about he was a bit of a .... and the guys in chapter who were quite a bit older than me were sucking up to this guy like he was a god, thankfully I got into a argument with one of them at a meeting and decided never again will I support this organization, I believe in the five years I was a member we planted saplings on a property and that was the end of it, not sure of the price of the plants but it sure was not close to the money raised at the events, sorry to say but good riddance.

Bull Crap ! NWTF was started for winter feeding projects to help them. They decided to help out in Trap and Transfer as that project was under way at the time with OFAH and they wanted to have a name in it. The reason for all this is that the Chapters have fell off way down below the 50% and the New directors lost more then they could create.

Lets be honest about it all.

Hey Guys,

To jump in as a sponsor member, I felt a little annoyed that I had to hear about it through a different forum that I'm on. At least a few of the folks on here got an email, I didn't even get that. As far as I'm concerned, it does leave a vacuum in the conservation community, but you know what, it will be filled, guaranteed, by another organization that appreciates our support of wildlife and their habitat as much as our dollars and cents. Have to admit that the few banquets that I attended, did give you the feeling that it was all about fundraising and can't say that locally here, that I ever saw any of those funds come back. I know they helped with the introduction of the birds, but I do believe the OFAH had a bigger influence on that accomplishment and makes me proud to continue to be a member of this great organization.

My 2 cents,

TurkeyJohn

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Ontario Hunter

Bull Crap ! NWTF was started for winter feeding projects to help them. They decided to help out in Trap and Transfer as that project was under way at the time with OFAH and they wanted to have a name in it. The reason for all this is that the Chapters have fell off way down below the 50% and the New directors lost more then they could create.

Lets be honest about it all.

---

Ok honestly during an minor ice storm we had back in 2001 I inquired about buying some feed with some of our money yes I said it our money that we raised and was told no, the reason they fell off is people don't mind raising money but need to see results, do you go to work for free? Those banquets were a lot of work for the guys who cared and yes I'll admit that after I ran to the LCBO and got the liquor license at ten minutes before the doors opened no thanks was given as the rest of the chapter was called up and thanked but hey you do what you got to do for the good of the chapter, right?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Huntnfish

Ok honestly during an minor ice storm we had back in 2001 I inquired about buying some feed with some of our money yes I said it our money that we raised and was told no, the reason they fell off is people don't mind raising money but need to see results, do you go to work for free? Those banquets were a lot of work for the guys who cared and yes I'll admit that after I ran to the LCBO and got the liquor license at ten minutes before the doors opened no thanks was given as the rest of the chapter was called up and thanked but hey you do what you got to do for the good of the chapter, right?

---

Your right ! because back in 1997 once they had a few chapters going it was all about money, money, money and the US would send a few trees that had a fat chance in hell to grow and help the turkey in the winter. That idea "winter feeding programs" fell flat and it was all about How many Chapters can we get going here in Ontario. It never did go anywhere but back to the USA.

a friend of mine used to be the president of a local chapter. when someone was the president for a number of years doesn't think that the effort is worth it - that they never saw or heard of any productive use of the money locally - lets just say I never bothered with this organization.

No offense to the last two posters, but I've been following the thread since I posted a few pages ago.

What my take away is this.

It may have begun up here with noble intentions, but activities fell off, correct?

Local chapters held banquets etc to raise funds, but weren't exactly sure where those funds were being allocated, correct?

The last two posters, who profess to have been involved with the organization at some point don't even seem to be on the same page as to what the NWTF actually does, or it's mission.

All of that combines in the last few pages to paint a picture of an organization that we, the hunters of Ontario, are better off without.

Notwithstanding Glenn Kelly, I'm sure you gave it your all. There are lots of organizations that would love to have a guy like you aboard, many who do broad based initiatives, which benefit habitat for turkey, as well as other species.

One of the reasons I am a active member of DUC isn't that I'm a rabid duck hunter. As a matter of fact I don't hunt ducks much anymore, but the preservation of wetlands assists the habitat of all game species. Where a wetland occurs, there are always buffer zones, and flood plains that are wooded, scrub, etc. You never see a wetland just stop, and cultivated fields begin. It is in those areas that many game species flourish, ergo, my support of an organization like DUC.

I had a detailed explanation of how the superfund worked and the site pitched it because I took to long to write it .I'm typing one handed so this is the short version .

Any chapter could apply for funds whether or not their banquet made money .

4 check marks a signature and address would have got you 1000.00 to use on specified projects .

Superfund gave out money twice a year . Chapters were notified of the submission dates , always.

If money wasn't spent in your area it's because you didn't do it .

We had a Kids day , a womens day , a day for the disabled and funded christmas turkeys for a food bank .

We bankrolled a youth shooting sports group a couple years ago .

We partnered with other groups on habitat projects .

Taking money required a commitment to a project but it was your project .
The chapters that used the superfund accomplished a lot so this is a loss for the province .

Why other chapters didn't go for it I don't know but complaining that it didn't come your way is disingenuous .

Glenn

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Bluebulldog

No offense to the last two posters, but I've been following the thread since I posted a few pages ago.

What my take away is this.

It may have begun up here with noble intentions, but activities fell off, correct?

Local chapters held banquets etc to raise funds, but weren't exactly sure where those funds were being allocated, correct?

The last two posters, who profess to have been involved with the organization at some point don't even seem to be on the same page as to what the NWTF actually does, or it's mission.

All of that combines in the last few pages to paint a picture of an organization that we, the hunters of Ontario, are better off without.

Notwithstanding Glenn Kelly, I'm sure you gave it your all. There are lots of organizations that would love to have a guy like you aboard, many who do broad based initiatives, which benefit habitat for turkey, as well as other species.

One of the reasons I am a active member of DUC isn't that I'm a rabid duck hunter. As a matter of fact I don't hunt ducks much anymore, but the preservation of wetlands assists the habitat of all game species. Where a wetland occurs, there are always buffer zones, and flood plains that are wooded, scrub, etc. You never see a wetland just stop, and cultivated fields begin. It is in those areas that many game species flourish, ergo, my support of an organization like DUC.

---

Yes I read the info about the NWTF A NON PROFiT organization but raising 23000 plus dollars and getting saplings in return is just plain cheap, no I'm not on the same page and that's why I quit it, the OFAH fought hard and I seen the names of their top guys fighting for the flawed gun registry and won on this issue, I m a hunter that does care about the resources and I don't Argue that they the NWTF did not do anything but they made a crap load of money at the expense of a lot of people that thought they would see a lot more support and money back to their area, you put money in a RRSP and expect a return on your investment, with them it was take take take. Truth hurts.

With regard to "charitable" vs. "non-profit" it is essentially the difference between being able issue charitable tax receipts for donations... and not. Memberships dues don't count for donations nor to banquet tickets or similar. Only funds paid in excess of the price for these items would qualify for a tax receipt.

Not having charitable status can affect fundraising efforts but there are a number of groups like Greenpeace and Amnesty International which are successful despite being non-profits instead of charities.

There are a variety of reasons that the CRA invites an organization to change status. Typically they are audit related but may also have to do with the nature of their work. It's often related to the proportion of funds that actually get spent on programs vs marketing expenses and staff salaries. It usually doesn't have anything to do with the geography of where the funds are spent (think of the Red Cross or World Vision - they spend millions on overseas relief programs). Information about the specifics can be found on the CRA website though it is a bit vague.

A visit to: http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/chrts-gvng/.../menu-eng.html

And search for `turkey federation` under Revoked for Cause yields the following from the CRA website.

Summary of Reasons for Revocation - National Wild Turkey Federation - Canada

The Canada Revenue Agency's (CRA) audit has revealed that the Organization is not complying with the requirements set out in the Income Tax Act. Specifically, it was found that the Organization did not devote all its resources to its charitable purposes, failed to issue donation receipts in accordance with the Act, failed to maintain proper books and records, and inaccurately completed the T3010, Registered Charity Information Return. For all of these reasons, and for each reason alone, it is the position of the CRA that the Organization no longer meets the requirements necessary for charitable registration and should be revoked in the manner described in subsection 168(1) of the Act.

Now don't read into this that the NWTF is good or bad. The CRA has gotten much more stringent and strict with charities over the past few years. Many of these issues could be administrative. I'll leave it to your experience with the organization to make up your own opinion. It is however unfortunate that they've decided to withdraw from Canada rather than bring themselves into compliance.

the nwtf got robbed, they helped introduce the turkeys here in ontario with alot of other organizations ofah was one of them . the ofah got the turkey course to help reduce the cost of relocating turkeys, there has been no turkeys transfered in a long time or very few where is all that money going every year. i know things are expensive to put on but now is the time to incoporate it into the hunter saftey course. how much money do you have to have left over before you are not considered not for profit or charitable ??

I’m Russ Donnelly, the Regional Director for Ontario & Eastern Canada for Delta Waterfowl – I am based in Mississauga.

I’ve had quite a few contacts from NWTF chapters in the past couple of weeks that, given the recent demise of the NWTF event system in Canada, are interested in continuing their volunteer fundraising work with another group.

Delta Waterfowl is a membership funded organization (we do receive small research grants for our biological and conservation work, but majority of our operating budget comes from our memberships and fundraising events), established in 1911, that has a simple mandate – to ensure the future of waterfowl and waterfowl hunting.

The funds raised in Canada through our memberships and our events system stay in Canada to fund our Canadian operations in Winnipeg, the Delta Marsh and our research centre in Minnedosa.

We have an extensive research and conservation arm (ALUS), we promote first hunt / youth hunt programs and the installation of nesting structures, and we advocate on behalf of the hunting community on issues that will impact us. The recent abolishment of the Long Gun Registry was a Delta “win” – the Federal Government credits the lobby work of Delta Waterfowl as a key reason for the scrapping of the registry. We don’t only lobby on waterfowl issues, either – we recently were part of a group that got a dove season for Ontario, a crane season in Alberta, and we’re currently working on a crane season for Ontario, for example. We also get involved in local issues, as brought forth by our chapters.

When our local chapters hold local fundraising events, they retain 25% of the net proceeds raised to do local projects – youth / first hunt programs, installing nesting structures, maintaining habitat, offering scholarships, etc. This 25% retention is a key to the Delta methodology – we need the local grassroots support, and what better way to show our thanks than be allowing some of the funds to be reinvested locally.

We have an extensive event system, with fantastic event items, guns, gear, that changes yearly.

If you and some of your group is active in waterfowling and you’d like to know more about Delta and how we operate, I’d love to come and meet you and speak with you further about Delta. Please feel free to contact me at your convenience.

Cheers,

Russ


Russ Donnelly
Regional Director, Eastern Canada
Delta Waterfowl Foundation
647 228 6852
[email protected]

I received that letter back in the fall. I wrote them back saying how disappointed I was in them and they just sent me back a cookie cutter response dodging the truth. I plan on taking my money that I would have spent on membership renewal and put it into a program that actually supports its Canadian members like DU or Delta Waterfowl.