12-16-25 NCNWTF Board Meeting Bur Mill Park, Greensboro
12-16-25 NCNWTF Board Meeting (In-Person)
Members Present: Howard Rumfelt, Brent Phillips, Robert Smith, Ted White, Luke Gibson, Perry Bryant, Bill Collart, John Edmondson, Grayson Frye, Ken Moore, Richard Plattenberger, Roger Reynolds, Alex Royster Kenneth Sheilds, Matthew Thompson
Guest: Tim Draughon, Trey Oliver, Hannah Plumpton, Keith Watts, Vickie Bryant, Ray Gaskins, Shane Poore, Paige Poore, Parker Poore, Dixie Smith, Rudy Semione, Kevin Hulsey, Hope Thompson
Welcome – Howard thanked everyone for what they do. Mentioned Cully, Phil and Zac were at a meeting in Missouri. He passed around a copy of Cully’s report (Cully will email this to the board).
Invocation – Ken.
Old Minutes – Ted passed copies of these out before meeting, they were email earlier this week as well. Ken mentioned he liked getting the emailed version early. These were reviewed, Ken motioned to accept minutes, Kenneth seconded, minutes were approved.
Financial Report & Budget Update – Robert passed out copies of these before the meeting. He pointed out a discrepancy with hats form the Mount Olive Symposium, this has been corrected. The Synovus account has been opened. Trey added that online tickets from the Shindig were put into this account. Robert said online December tickets were as well. Trey mentioned that all rebates will go into this account as well. Howard stated that everyone will be going to Synovus. Richard asked if we will know the difference in state checking and Edgefield discretionary funds? Robert we can’t make cash deposits into Synovus, it has to be done electronically. Trey added also that Superfund is separate but managed through Synovus. Robert also mentioned the varying fees from First Citizens. Howard reiterated that national is going to a more “centralized’ banking. Trey added this is beginning at state levels and will eventually be done with each chapter.
Robert pointed out the statement of accounts sheet. We have $234,839.33 in chapter accounts, $259,997.85 in Superfund with an outstanding balance of $255, 048.96, leaving $4,948.89 available. Howard jumped in and said we are in good shape, not to worry. He also reminded everyone that we can use discretionary funds and be reimbursed by superfund. Also, that Superfund will pick up once banquets begin.
Roger asked if Synovus money would change the Shingdig numbers?
Ken motioned to accept reports, Kenneth seconded, carries with not opposition.
Shindig Report – Robert says this is the best one yet, but expenses are killing us (economy and high prices). Ken said it is definitely worth doing. Howard said it is the only state event we do and acknowledges a $100 can be tough. He added that everyone did a good job with this.
December month of prizes – Robert says we are getting a lot of good feedback, people like the way it is run. Sales were off $12,000 (we only had 9 additional guns). This has not been finalized yet but we should net around $50,000. Howard/Robert wanted to contact the ATV winner – he did not answer but did call back and was excited about winning. Roger asked if tickets would be available at the DDC, Robert said yes. Robert added that 3 groups did not get tickets back in time – we MUST have them by November 15th. Howard asked about total ticket sales, Robert said 49,000 were given out only 26,700 were returned. We may give tickets next year based on what was sold previously (people are getting tickets and not selling them or not turning them in).
RD Report – Trey said he has to have calendars by December 23rd, said Phil, DFO said this will be December 1st next year. Trey is going to spend the next week tracking these down.
New chapter dates are set for Harnett Co. march 7, Roanoke-Albermarle May 16 and Lee Co. may 29. Tim has Nantahala May 16, has had a good meeting with Stanley Co. with 4 new officers that want to continue, has had good conversations with Wayne Bailey Chapter as well as Randolph Co. and Yancey Co. and WCU is working on a collegiate chapter. Trey added that Mount Olive is interested in a collegiate chapter as well and that Chance would be taking the lead on this. Chance has NC but lives in AL, Jackson live in NC but has different area. Ken added that ECU is official.
Trey says that membership will be an emphasis next year. Will send an email about “capturing” guest – 4 best practices: table sheet work well in places. Roger says they do a 10-day incentive. Tim says membership has been mentioned on all their national calls. Trey says all events must include memberships (including Shindig) going forward. Howard said he thought calendars were designed to help this, Trey stated that mostly current members buy them. Trey did say they should be a tool for memberships, we will do a membership drive at DDC, possibly a QR code at all events too. Trey says that some chapter that have lost a lot of members will have mailers senet out 4 weeks in advance of the banquets. Vickie said they are planning a big youth event (may need help), it was pointed out that only adult membership count Richard said that Dec tickets can be used for JAKE memberships, Howard added that chapters could get all of this back.
Trey mentioned chapter debit cards and the preferred vendor will begin operating as a “one stop shop” similar to Amazon using ACH with a t3% debit card fee.
NCWRC Report – Hannah – sorry she missed the last meeting, but she enjoyed Montana. There were 20,000 survey cards/questionnaires sent out:
· 79% of turkey hunters hunt on private land
· 5 % of turkey hunters hunt on public land
· 35% use shot size of #7 or smaller
· 34% use #5 shot
· 72% kill birds in the am
· 17% kill birds in pm
· 11% both am/pm
· 78% kill birds 30 yds or closer
Regional and age factor into these numbers. There will be more in-depth information for June meeting. Brent said this looks similar to previous study. Hannah agreed, but private vs public has flipped.
Hannah says there will be a post season annual survey (10 questions) on how turkey season went. It will be done this way to get faster more accurate info. She will also work with furbearer biologist about predation impact as well as baiting and feeding – hunters put out 1.6 billion pounds of corn. This poses the question are we shifting nest predators and increasing their population in these areas? Does this lag into nesting season for turkey, quail, etc.? They will come up with trapping suggestions as well as look at few traps making a major difference?
Call Makers Report – Ted – 2026 rules and entry forms have been updated and should be posted on our site. We need to contact the DDC/Wake County Wildlife Club to get an updated version on their site as well. Old forms are acceptable, since they haven’t changed, we may need to drop the date on this.
We have discussed the possibility of more divisions, similar to the Grand Nationals – we do not have the numbers to justify this. We might look at a “Past Champions” division to encourage former Best of Show winners to get back involved.
Scholarship Report – Ted – the portal is open, there is a link on our site. We have 3 entries so far. We did increase the local scholarship to $500, this is a way to see Superfund money spent locally as well as a way of planting a seed for future involvement in the NWTF. Local winners must be selected by February 1 to give me an opportunity to review entries and select a state winner March 1.
Calling Competition – Brent, will need volunteers. Mossy Oak Properties is onboard again as a sponsor.
NWTF State License Plate – Brent has been in talks to possible look at another design for the NWTF State license plate. Duane Raver had previously done a design for Bryan Perry several years ago – we may want to tweak this. In order to get started we will need 300 signatures who are committed to purchasing these. New artwork may make this more appealing to more people. Howard asked if the board could support this? This could generate money we don’t have to work for. Brent thinks this will draw interest. Trey said he and Cully have talked about a state specific design, other states have done this. Howard asked are we interested in covering the initial cost?
Richard made a motion to get 300 signatures, there were several side conversations, Brent added it would be nice to unveil at DDC, Bill seconded, the motion carried.
Introduction of New Board Applicants – Brent introduced the new board applicants: Keith Watts, Josh Shope, Shane Poore and Ray Gaskins. Shope was not present, the others gave a quick bio.
Case Knife Update – Alex – RDs have this information. Fed Ex messed up shipping, we are missing knives 71 - 100, we have 1 -70. The chapter cost on these is $90 (we are not making money at this price). When you buy a knife at a fundraising event you will also get 1 a chance at GOY – must be a fundraising event, not one a board member buys. Howard reiterated that chapters get first chance, if there are extras then board members may purchase one. Ken asked, will we get more? Howard responded no; we want to keep this exclusive. Howard also said we did a good job last year, but better book keeping will help going forward.
Bylaw Update – Richard – We have changed the bylaws to state new board applications must be done 60 days before election. This was simple because national has already done this.
Outreach Update – John – Discussed the Mount Olive Symposium – we had a presence there that did the Turley 101 presentation. Vickie said Brent did awesome. Brent noted that girls seemed to pay more attention, asked better questions, seemed more interested. There were 8 counties represented, it was a good day and a good event. John stated that we should have a bigger part next year, we blew other organizations away.
Howard forgot a question he had earlier during the NCWRC report, do we have a NC technical committee? Hannah responded no.
Shindig Report – This was mentioned briefly, Ken made a motion to continue both the Shindig and December Month of Prizes, John seconded, passed unanimously.
Roger asked about where event would be? Howard said he would update committees and they would begin working on this.
3 Rivers Land Trust Update/Superfund Request – DR Chamberlain’s research $10,900, trap and transfer may. Help gene pool.
North Bend Game land Burke 1250 acres (Lake James) - $2860 – local chapters are interested in this.
Cold Mtn. 25 acres – create habitat openings – 2 UTV slip on devices $4000
$23,760 total
3 Rivers fell through, $50,000
Bill made a motion to fund the request above (Dr Chamberlain’s, 4, 5, 6) proposals. Ken seconded.
Discussion - Robert mentioned local chapters getting involved. Howard said the 3 Rivers project may be an opportunity in the future. Howard did mention that local chapters may not be able to give directly to these projects. Brent said they could give to the board and earmark it for this. Roger added that local chapters could still take credit, it’s their money too (superfund) and could help the local chapters.
Motion carries.
Hannah redirected Howard’s earlier question on turkey committee – there are 21 commissioners that serve on various committees – there is a wild turkey committee – this is posted on the NCWRC site. There will be a presentation posted this week – Hannah will add some of the accomplishments of the NCNWTF/NCWRC partnerships on projects.
Howard – Nantahala is asking for equipment, suggest waiting on this. Richard made a motion to table this until next meeting, Bill seconded, motion passes.
Roger – New/Old business – Montgomery Community College has a gun smith program – instructors and students are already onboard helping with Little River banquet – wants to fund a $5000 scholarship.
There was some discussion about who would be involved in the control of this. Brent asked could the Little River Chapter do this through their banquet?
Ted mad. Amotion to table this so more information be gathered on this, Kenneth seconded, motion carries.
Election for New Board Members/Officers – Each current member was given a ballot that included the 20 names submitted as board membership, each current member was to vote for 17 (Jason who was not in attendance sent his Howard). These were collected and verified by Ted (State Chapter Secretary) and Hannah (impartial witness).
The following were selected as board members:
Perry Bryant
John Edmondson
Greyson Frye
Jason Huffstetler
Ken Moore
Brent Phillips
Richard Plattenberger
Shane Poore
Roger Reynolds
Alex Royster
Howard Rumfelt
Kenneth Sheilds
Josh Shope
Robert Smith
Matthew Thompson
Keith Watts
Ted White
The floor was opened for officer nominations. Richard made a motion for current officers to serve second term if they would do so, everyone indicated they would, Ken seconded, motion passes.
Howard – new boards term will begin as soon as this meeting adjourns. Executive board member will be added – appointment.
Next Board Meeting will be at DDC – we meet quarterly, if you have input or ideas for future meetings bring some information.
Robert – Nashville checks will be mailed this week.
Ken made motion to adjourn, Kenneth seconded.
Bill thanked everyone for his tenure on the board.
Motion passes.
