An Odin couple has won the top national award handed out by the National Wild Turkey Federation.
Gerald and Terri Lively were presented the Roger M. Latham Sportsman Wild Turkey Service Award at the organization’s national meeting on Friday in Nashville, Tennessee.
The award is presented to members who are not employed as professional wildlife managers but have made significant contributions to wild turkey conservation.
Gerald Lively says both he and his wife have been actively involved in the organization for years.
“I’ve been chapter president of our local chapter for 25 years. I am now state chapter president for Illinois. Terry has held banquet chairman position, secretary position, she was recently the treasurer for the state.”
Lively says the foundation has allowed them to pursue their passion.
“Our real passion is to introduce new people to hunting and the outdoors, especially youth. We just get so excited when we take a new person hunting, especially a kid, and they get to hear the first gobble and experience the hunt. Whether you harvest or not, it’s just an exciting experience.”
The Lively’s have been heavily involved in the annual Jake Days at Forbes State Park which is scheduled to return this fall following an absence the past few years due to COVID-19.
The Lively’s have also donated their time and merchandise from their taxidermy business in Odin for a multitude of fundraisers and auctions as well as always being a positive representatives of the hunting-conservation community.
National Wild Turkey Federation co-CEO Jason Burckhalter notes for their decades of delivering the NWTF mission—in all its facets…they are pleased to honor Gerald and Terri with the Roger Latham Award.
Since 1973, the National Wild Turkey Federation has invested over a half billion dollars into wildlife conservation and has conserved or enhanced over 22 million acres of critical wildlife habitat. It is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.
