9-21-25 NCNWTF Board Meeting Mtn Island Educ State Forest

9-21-25 NCNWTF Board Meeting (In-Person)

Members Present: Howard Rumfelt, Brent Phillips, Robert Smith, Ted White, Luke Gibson, Jason Hufsteter, Mathew Thompson, Perry Bryant, Bill Collart, Roger Reynolds, Richard Plattenberger, Kenneth Shields, Alex Royster, Ken Moore, Mason Kroll (left early)

Guest: Ray Gaskins, Kris Kreh, Trey Oliver, Tim Draughon, Vickie Bryant, Hope Thompson, Cully McCurdy

Howard opened up.

Welcome:

Howard introduce Jason, who explained the facility we are using - training facility for aircraft fighters. Gave Admin. Remarks - told where to meet in an emergency and went over restroom facilities. Reminded everyone that this was tax payer paid for.

Howard thanked everyone for their work yesterday and thanked the NCWRC for being there.

Invocation:

Brent gave the invocation.

Minutes from last meeting: Ted - gave copies, these were emailed previously.

There were a few corrections that needed to be made on minutes from June 21. Little River netted $100,000 not 1,000,000. Increases made to outreach included Turkey Hunters Care from $100 to $200, this was made in a motion at the June 21 meeting by Roger “ increase JAKES to $500, start up to $1000, local scholarships to $500 and Turkey Hunters Care to $200”, this was seconded by Brent and carried after some discussion. Lastly the dates for December meeting was December 6 and 7, not the 13th.

Richard made a motion to accept minutes with changes, there were a couple seconds, motion carries.

Financial Report & Budget Update:

Robert gave handouts for: Proposed 2026 Budget, Statement of Accounts, Superfund Activity and checking account - these were all reviewed.

Howard asked about DOT - Robert said we get this quarterly.

Richard asked about the First Bank Charge - Robert Stated this was reoccurring. Howard said we were moving forward with “NOVIS”, this was recommended by national. Howard continued this will be a headache in the beginning but will smooth out. He reiterated this is not forced by national - this will be centralized banking - we will generate interest rather than pay the bank - a lot of state chapters have already gone to this (discussed on state chapter president meetings) - this will benefit us and superfund more. Howard asked about SC on superfund twice - Cully said he will need to get with Cody as well as to check some minor adjustments to banquets. Cully stated he used to be able to see updates immediately - but not now - national is working on a BETA system that will address this - areas are being updated constantly.

Robert went over the Hunting Heritage Superfund acct. handout:

$237,985.50 in Superfund, $69,423.25 outstanding, $215,814.25 available. Cully said he sent an email with the project breakdown. Ken motioned to accept financial report, Bill seconded this carries.

Budget: Proposed Budget Handout - Robert pointed out a $148,325.01 deviance from 2025 outstanding projects - this was due good work/projects. Howard brought up Ashe Co project - this has lost funding, if it does not go through we will be refunded $50,000.

Robert recommended increasing funding to outreach. Robert proposed increasing travel and lower conferences as well - these are noted in proposed budget.

Howard brought up the endowed professorship - this is highlighted in the handout - we will decide if and how we are going to fund this (more later on this).

Jason asked about travel, $10,000 more and conferences $5,000 less.

Cully asked if anyone had old bags that were used from CARE program, he wanted a sample for other states - Jason said he may have the artwork.

Howard pointed out we are still budgeting for “Strut & Putt” and could this be used for the website?

Jason brought up that we had talked about website in last meeting, this will be a flat rate - Josh (website guy) is holding and set on go - budget for this looks good (there will be more up front cost - then just maintenance).

Ken asked if we needed a line item for start up for new chapters - Robert and Howard both added quickly that this was loan to repaid out of their banquet.

Ken motioned to approve minutes, Jason seconded, motion passes.

Regional Director Report:

Trey - IT is still updating numbers from event revenue, looks to be north of 1.2 million, up form last year. NC is 12th in membership count, 8430 (includes all memberships).

Inflatable turkey raffle grossed $14,510, $8,592 net (after cost and gun). Ross Apple won the gun on the FB drawing.  Jason asked could we order more of these? Trey said there are some available but with the core package - he will keep us updated on this.

2026 calendars are out - don’t start trading these around yet - it may come to this but not now. A change this year is calendars are $60, $30 goes towards chapter banquet. People seem pleased, (better guns) not negative comments.

Roanoke Albermarle Chapter has interest in starting up, Any help/advice to make this happen is welcome - nobody wants to be treasurer. Several jokes were made about young people not being able to balance a check book - there was a comment that this may go directly to Synovus. Trey again asked for help/advice or way to encourage this chapter.

Following on this discussion Robert asked how local chapters will operate without a local bank? Trey said he a the same question - but you could take cash and get a cashiers check that could be deposited electronically. Howard mentioned this may be easier for established chapters - there could be red flags if over $20,000 cash - there was a comment that this shouldn’t be an issue since we are non-profit. Vickie asked how chapters would get start up money for banquets? Chapters using Synovus would get debit cards that could be used at any bank. There were a lot of sidebar conversations. Trey added these are all rational questions - preferred vendor model is designed to help with some of these issues - this is an “amazon” type platform with 100% electronic payments - state chapters have been guinea pigs - this should help to be more transparent.

Trey mentioned that Robbie Gurken wants to be involved with Roanoke Albermarle Chapter - but does not want an office/responsibility.

Trey talked about his new chapters Duplin and Johnston Co had solid banquets, Johnston Co was Golden Gobbler, never got this before, much better group to work with.

Tim - Avery Co picked a bad night, Atlanta Braves baseball game in town same day - low turnout. Franklin/Macon Co have interest, May 16 will be first banquet. Andrews/Cherokee have some interest. Yancey/Marion are interested as well. Making a lot of phone calls, driving and talking to people. Vickie added that she has a couple young guys in the Asheville area - Brent mentioned Maddie as well.

Cully brought up that the NWTF has colligate specific RDs/ambassadors for Trey brought up ECU, they have to be chartered for a year before they can hold an event. Kenn added that the Pitt chapter gave ECU $200 for a meeting.

Ken also added that the Roanoke Albermarle Chapter gave the start up money for our state chapter - he added that the Roanoke Albermarle Chapter failed to get young people involved, which added to them folding up.

Trey has concerns with young people not being involved in chapters - worried about Three Rivers - they have a new person taking over - Trey stated we need to keep this chapter alive.

Ken added that the ECU kids have been coming to their meetings and helped at the banquet.

Cully said Chance will help with this, he added that the NE ambassador is form NC - Alex? He comes from habitat for flocks and forest for flocks initiatives - he expects that he will still be involved in NC. Trey thinks these ambassadors should be involved with our board meetings - Tim has had help form them with banquets, Brent added that we could help train them and suggest they get involved in their local chapters.

Trey said there has not been any movement with Harnett Co - he is moving there and wants to start a chapter.

Trey added that many chapters are beginning committee meetings, banquet planning, etc., RDs want to be involved.

 Break

 Director of National Giving Update - Zac was not here, Howard said we have $20,000 in the budget that was approved  towards professorship - we need to decide how we are going to spend this. Howard suggest we do this annually and not put it into a “pot” - we fulfilled the first one, $50,000, this should be endowed. Zac wants to have it in “surplus” - Howard added we like to have surplus too (for possible land acquisition if it arises). It was brought up that we could possibly lose chapters, this would affect the money we have available in our budget. Brent added that this money is not just for professorships but research needs as well. Cully said yes and no to this - that it is mainly for professorships but helps fun the entire project. Roger thinks we are going to have a different banquet year - there are a lot of people struggling. Howard agreed and said we should fix problems before they are problems, (he’s a maintained man) - he added we need to kill one target then go to the next. Jason added that research is not tangible - Roger agreed and brought up land acquisition from the past few years. Brent said he would be “devil’s advocate” were gaining land but losing turkeys, research will address this.

Alex added that looking at the broad view of the gobbling chronology - it looked at habitat loss but didn’t address predation - he recognized that we only got the highlights, understood it had to be “dumbed down” for general public - want to see the research book. Bill said we only get summaries from this type of research.

Howard asked that we get back on eye on Zac’s issue - we will get to this other stuff later. Richard said we have already funded $50,000 and put $20,000 in superfund for this. Howard asked was this a generic ask? Cully said yes, this was sent to other states, part of this ask for DNA samples, this could included hunter pics, etc. Chris wanted clarification, are we asking about the professorship or DNA work? Dr Chamberlain is doing a more intensive project - NCWRC already has 800 samples, NWTF helped secure some of these (turkey legs, etc.). Chris says NCWRC has a geneticists but that there are currently more important projects - they will get to this - there are a lot of questions -we want more birds around.

Howard said we are not looking at proposals at this time - wants Chris’s input on “best balance”. Richard asked if we give the $20,000 are they going to ask for more later (6 months) - Howard said we need to draw a line in the sand - this is why he likes yearly.

 NCWRC Report: Chris Kreh - Chris was glad to be with us, he told us Hannah was at a family wedding in Montana.

Based on turkey research cards it looks like we will have an average year. Hannah and Chris Turner (had something come up this weekend) are working on turkey hunters survey. Alex said he got one, said it was very long, took about 45 minutes to do, it asked about income, taxes, etc - he understood it was creating an algorithm. Chris stated that the most important questions were up front, they realize a lot of people won’t finish the survey. Chris added that the economic questions help with the “big picture” (ducks, bears, etc.) and all kinds of other questions (hunting gear, tactics, techniques, etc.) Chris suggest a deep dive into this later (June??).

Chris wishes Evan well - he is retiring, wish him luck.

Chris thanked us for our help - he realizes they ask a lot. He added that they rank projects in importance - they use this to “plug in” where the Pitman Robertson Act falls short - without us and like minded groups the NCWRC has to rely on license sales (more licenses = more money). Chris added that $1 from us gets $3 more in matching funds on most projects. He added that the 2 at the top of the list we were given are prescribed burns, these are good for habitat. He added that very few turkeys nest/brood in the type of habitats that need to be burned.

Alex asked about the 20,000 survey cards that were sent - probably went to folks with big game tags - asked if you could target turkey hunters (ie. HIP cert/duck hunters)? Could they be sent to people who tag turkeys? Howard said both his kids got a survey - haven’t hunted in years - but he didn’t get one. Chris said of the surveys sent they need 2500 response for good information, he added that they can’t identify only turkey hunters - the number of surveys sent is based on the number they need back. Howard asked about a turkey license/stamp - Chris mentioned all the headaches with this. Chris also added that they have not done a “big survey” in years, this will continue with smaller surveys similar to HIP cert questions. Alex mentioned other states ask these type questions when you report - Chris responded that NC is more likely to add this at the end, don’t want to deter reporting.

 Richard noted $6000 overhead in the first project - Cully said this is based on the entire package (not traditional - NICRA) covers other employees, not burn crews - its supplemental, office personnel, etc. This a principal of business for doing work - indirect. NWTF uses 16.19%, Jason said theirs is 30% - Cully added the govt want us to stay in business.

Richard mentioned that if they don’t burn the desired number of days - we don’t pay - Cully reiterated this, we are only invoiced days they burn.

Howard added we have unfulfilled projects - Cully said we have not been billed for these - Cully added that the matching funs from PR Act don’t go away (this will be spent on habitat work). Cully added that NC gets a 7/1 match on most of these projects - Chris added other groups risk in as well.

 Howard asked why other states are doing research we have already done? Chris asked how much time do you have? He did say there are things they want to see on their flocks they say “we’re not in NC”. Chris also said you trust work more you do yourself - he added research techniques are getting better. Chris went back to the gobbling chronology project - told Alex he could give him several hundred pages - Alex brought up habit loss/trapping based on what he’s seen -Chris went back to most people only want a couple pages and added that there were a few public meetings as well. Bill added that these summaries are typical. Chris added that research helps make good changes - the gobbling chronology lead to opening day being at a better time.

 After doing the math Cully stated that these projects were actually 9/1 match.

 Roger asked what we had in the superfund? He was referred back to the previous report that Robert gave and the handouts given. Cully reminded us that this budget is based on projection, we could potentially get this or $400,000. Roger added that we don’t want to overdue things - reminded us of Covid.

 Howard thanked Chris for his report.

 Richard asked if we had approved the $20,000 (professorship)? Howard said not yet - Brent said its in the budget - Howard said it was there for Roberts sake incase we approved it. Cully said they wanted to make an announcement asap, this week if possible. Howard said we have not had a proposal/motion. Richard asked if we wanted to do this annually? Howard said we can give to 1, both or leave it to their discretion - Cully added that most states have done this at some level. Howard mentioned on the state chapter presidents meetings not everyone sees the benefit. Jason asked if we were looking at the endowed professorship? Howard said yes. Robert asked what are they exactly asking for? What are we looking at? Howard said same thing different place. Robert asked for a dollar amount - said there is $20,000 there. There was a lot of side bar discussion about this. Cully added that they can always come back and ask for more money - particularly for research. Jason said PR money could be used for this.  Cully added that Mossy Oak had already put $600,000 into this research - he also added that this is peer reviewed by the NWTF. Jason reiterated $20,000 is set aside for this, do we want to look at this on an annual bases. Howard added that NWTF priorities could change. Jason said yearly would keep us in control. Luke said this is a moving target, we should look at it on an annual basis. Richard mentioned that this may not be fully funded. Cully said money given would be put into the mission if not funded, added that they will continue to ask, may not always be for wild turkey. Roger asked would there be full collaboration, would states share - he also asked if the NCWRC had anything big coming down the pipe the next few years? Chris said there is a lot in the works that is not turkey related. Luke asked what do we need  - Brent proposed we spend $20,000 on the endowment and look at it yearly going forward - Bill seconded, passes.

 Ken made a motion to accept budget, several seconds, passes.

 Regional Biologist Report: Cully McCurdy - said we had already discussed superfund a lot, emailed this.

Included Laura Prevatte’s report as well - she lists several accomplishments.

He reviewed membership numbers Trey gave previously.

Went over working totals for habitat for the hatch - 76,057 acres enhanced, this includes National Forest Initiative 30,713 acres only 64.5 acres of seed (mostly native warm season grasses), burn teams 224,071 acres. Cully says these numbers could actually be higher - the has been a document created to keep track of this better - this will also be an annual requirement. Jason asked about the 51% rule with shared counties - the document addresses this.

 Howard brought us back to the proposals. Bill wanted to approve 1, 2, 4, 5, 6 - there was discussion about not lumping proposals together.

Jason pointed out that the burns were preventive maintenance.

Alex liked the land purchase - more access. Chris explained how the NCWRC tries to purchase land - the process. Alex mentioned that that 3 could help restart the Wayne Bailey Chapter. Roger asked Chris what the NCWRC may be - Chris said probably like most GL, 3 days per week, forestry, etc. Howard and Brent commented that there is already a depot and equipment there. Robert said this was a chance to tie us to Wayne Bailey. Bill asked how much do we want to spend? Richard commented that if this falls through we can always come back to the others. Roger asked about a time line. Howard reminded everyone that we have discretionary money we could use. Luke asked could we fund lower that $200,000? Bill proposed to fund $200,000 for proposal 3, Ken seconded but withdrew for more discussion. Cully mentioned that it was raked 3, Brent added that was not from us. Robert asked Chris is this would close in the next 6 months? Chris said no. Robert added that we are coming up on banquet season. Trey asked if we would miss a land opportunity if don’t fund? Chris stated that another buyer could come along (slight possibility). Richard commented that we have the money, we could be reimbursed by super fund later. Perry stated that giving $100,000 could be a bargaining chip.

 Cully reminded everyone that there are only 20-22 good burn days per year. Alex said we fund burning every year - where does money goes when they don’t burn? Cully (others) reminded everyone we are billed for days they burn. Chris pointed pointed out that the NCWRC can’t burn the number of days on these projects - they partner with other agencies to this (Nature Conservancy) - why they rank high for importance.

 Bill made a motion to fund project #3, $200,000 with superfund money, Ken seconded - there was a lot of discussion on this already - motion carries with 10 yes votes.

 Richard made a motion to fund project #1, Luke seconded, carries with majority vote.

 There was discussion for projects 2, 3, 5 and superfund money. There was a point made that the crews and landscape were different in 1 and 2. There was a lot of discussion about burn crews and where they go, etc.

 Howard commented that we don’t get a lot of chances to purchase land - this has helped the NWTF grow.

 Ken spoke about his past year and thanked everyone for their support.

 Break

 Committee Reports:

Scholarship Report: Ted - Online info should be up in October, encourage kids to apply. Local winners should be submitted by Feb. 15 - state winner will be selected by March 1. We will include a link when available.

 Southeastern Call Makers Competition: Ted - This years info will be updated on our site, when it’s updated.

 State December Awards: - Trey/Tim - Working on this. Robert mentioned rooms are filling up in Nashville, we should be blocking rooms for national winners - need to know who they are - Edgefield is ignoring volunteers who make the NWTF!

 Nominating Committee Update: Brent - we have 4 qualified nominees, all 4 will be on the election ballot - we will have a full board election in December.

 Case Knife Update: Alex - gave and explained handouts. Based on the handouts, great event. Alex also had 2 proposals prepared. Ken motioned to go with the bone stag, everyone seconded, carries. Going forward we will have a shared document with Trey, Tim and Alex - Trey acknowledge things he could have done better with this.

 IT Update: Jason - we are trying to streamline this, we are currently limited with what we have.  - Cully says we can have a specific NWTF email, this should help make updates easier. Brent asked could this be set up by the first of the year? Jason responded yes and mentioned there are 2 versions (live and unpublished which allows you to see what you are working on). Robert asked is Jessi is the only person receiving emails - Jason said yes, she is forwarding emails to the appropriate people - how can we take this away from her? Jason agreed to work on this and take it from Jessi.

 NC Outreach Coordinator: John - Let him and David G know when we have something going on. Send pic and info - most of what we are doing is better than other states, we’re just not posting it.

 Trey brought up the NWTF’s stance on turkey hunting contest  - cash or prizes that could be sold are not acceptable for outreach. This could be considered fundraising or something else not outreach.

 Shindig Update: Robert - Robert thanked everyone for a good event - does not have all invoices but we may have done over $25,000 net. Needs information for the 5th winner (not present).

 Old Business:

3 Rivers Land Trust Update/:Land Purchase Ribbon Cutting: we are waiting on a date for this.

Brent asked for help at Bur Mill Park on October 11 - BB gun range.

 Next Board Meeting - Dec. 7, 2025 @ Bur Mill Park

 Howard asked if he missed anything - always gets calls on the way home after meetings.

 Richard made a motion for nominating committee to move from 120 days to 60 days for nominations, Ken seconded, passed

 Motion to adjourn made by Ken, everyone seconded, carries.