Outstanding Service Award
2022 Chad & Faith Kwaitkoski (Newaygo Valley Chapter) (Photo)
Joe Macomber (Grand Valley Chapter) (Photo)
Jim Miller (Flint River Chapter) (Photo)
Larry Lenz (Sebewaing Gobblers Chapter)
Jon Gray (Beard & Spurs Chapter) (Photo)
2021 Tony Decker (Southwestern Michigan Longbeards)
Ryan Longanbach (Flatlanders Chapter) (Photo)
John Corke (High Banks Longbeards) (Photo)
Jeff Sorenson (High Banks Longbeards) (Photo)
2019 Lisa Ataman (Presque Isle Turkey Trackers Chapter)
Marty Bianga (Bays de Noc Gobblers Chapter)
Larry Lee (North Ottawa Toms Chapter)
2018 Roy & Tammy Munro (Timber Ghost Gobblers Chapter)
John Zimmer (Macomb County Lost Gobblers)
Josh Frantz (White River Longbeards & Bitely/Baldwin Chapter) (photo)
Jim Decker (Crossroads Chapter) (photo)
2017 Jack Price (Whiteford Valley Chapter)
Doug Redder (Highbanks Chapter) (photo)
Kyle Foster (St. Joe Valley Limbhangers)
Evan Traynor (Crossroads Chapter) (photo)
2016 Jerome Bowden (Bays De Noc Gobblers)
Kim Schweitzer (Slate Stone Strutters)
Barry Baldwin (Bitely Baldwin Chapter)
2015 Scott Kukal
Brian McPhail (Beaver Creek Chapter)
Pete Demos (Black Mountain Chapter)
2014 Scott Hendrickson (Superior Turkey Trackers) (photo)
Fred Nordman (Bays De Noc Gobblers) (photo)
Karen Jasper (Berrien County Trophy Toms) (photo)
Michael Wood (Sunset Shoreline Strutters)
2013 Tony Snyder (Turkeyville Toms)
Scott Mack (Menominee Strutting Toms)
2012 Bob Birr (Big Rapids Limbhangers)
Terry House (45th Parallel)
Steve MacAlpine (Midland County Gobblers)
Sandy Snyder (Turkeyville Toms)
2011 Bill Bevins (Blue Water)
Gary Biniecki (Slate Stone Strutters)
Dave Godley (Flatlanders)
Mike Parrish (Dune Drummers)
Dave Randall (Big Rapids Limbhangers)
Jim Szilagyi (Northern Bay Strutters)
2010 Karen Dillon (Ogemaw Hills)
Theo Savage (Eaton County Strutting Toms)
Richard Sheffer (Turkeyville Toms)
Darrell Szilagy (Northern Bay Gobblers)
2009 Frank Braznetz (Washtenaw County)
David and Carol Clemens (Blue Water)
Sam and Ronda Giese (Turkeyville Toms)
Diane House (45th Parallel)
Rodney Jimkkoski (Upper Thumb Gobblers)
Vicki Kennedy (Flat River)
Gerald and Pat Tisch (Waterloo Longbeards)
2008 Dave Potter (Beard & Spurs)
Jack Parrish (Eaton County Strutting Toms)
Roger Shoemaker (U.P. Snow Gobblers)
2007 ***
2006 Roger Shoemaker (U.P. Snow Gobblers)
2005 Ken Buchholtz (Bay De Noc)
Mike Birk (Berriend County)
Dave Godley (Wildlife Seed Supply)
Marie Thompson (Sebawing Gobblers)
2004 Joline Hopkins (Flat River)
Doug Johnson (St. Joe Valley)
Gary Salmon (Grand Valley)
2003 Leroy Chupp (St. Joe Valley Limbhangers)
Mike Kennedy (Thornapple Valley)
Jan Kuhtic (Thornapple Valley)
Bert Vander Weele (High Banks)
2002 Kevin Butts (Looking Glass Spurs)
Troy Hopkins (Flat River)
Dan Potter (Beard & Spurs)
John Smith (River Raisin)
2001 Al Bobrofsky (Turkeyville Toms)
2000 Clare Harrington (Grand Valley)
Dave Haviland Family (Looking Glass Spurs)
Ken Humphrey (Huron Valley)
Bud Klein (Elk Country)
1999 Phil Kuhtic (Thornapple Valley)
1998 Ron Hopkins (Flat River)
Mike Orzol (Huron Valley)
1997 ***
1996 Richard Lafrinere (Turkeyville Toms)
1995 ***
1994 ***
1993 Jim Miller (Flint River)
Gary VanDyke (Southwestern MI Longbeards)
1992 Hugh Marx (Huron Valley)
1991 Burny Williams (Huron Valley)
1990 Jim Maturen (Pere Marquette)
1989 ***
1988 ***
1987 Craig Liddicoat (Michigan Turkey Federation)
Ed Tucker (Michigan Turkey Federation)
Outstanding Partner Award
2022 Sitka Outdoor Gear
2021 Pierce Cedar Creek Institute (Photo)
2019 Mel’s Lawn, Garden & Feed Center, Escanaba
2018 Hal & Jean Glassen Foundation (photo)
2017 Watson's Manistee Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram (Manistee) (photo)
2016 Cabela's Outdoors (Grandville Store)
2015 Hackett Construction (Battle Creek)
2014 Fernelius Chevrolet (Rose City) (photo)
2013 **
2012 Bark River Knife & Tool (Escanaba)
Schupbachs Sporting Goods (Jackson)
2011 Dick's Sporting Goods (Toledo)
Carhartt (Dearborn)
Ameristep (Clio)
2010 DWP & Associates (Warren)
J&P Sporting Goods (West Branch)
Johnson Sporting Goods (Adrian)
2009 Dick Williams Gun Shop (Saginaw)
Sweckie Construction (Gaylord)
2008 Square Deal Building Supplies (Sterling Hgts)
Galesburg Hardware (Galesburg)
2007 **
2006 **
2005 Mulder Waterproofing (Kalamazoo)
Total Firearms (Mason)
2004 Williams Gun Sight & Outfitters (Davison)
Double Action Guns & Shooting (Warren)
On Target Guns & Gunsmithing (Kalamazoo)
2003 Gander Mountain (Pontiac)
Cabela's (Dundee)
Bass Pro Shops - Outdoor World (Auburn Hills)
2002 Jays Sporting Goods (Clare)
Wild Turkey Preservationist Award
2022 Mike Adams (Timber Ghost Gobblers Chapter)
2021 John Osterbahn
2019 Doug Redder
2018 Richelle Myers (photo)
2017 Mark Heberling (photo)
2016 Don Watson
2015 Norm Ochs
2014 Tony Snyder (Turkeyville Toms)
2013 Tom Karsten (NWTF Regional Director)
2012 Bert Vander Weele (High Banks Chapter)
2011 Eaton County Strutting Toms Chapter
2010 Al Stewart (MDNR)
2009 Carly Tyson (Big Rapids)
2008 Al Bobrofsky (Turkeyville Toms)
2007 Steve Sharp (NWTF Staff)
2006 Dan Potter (Beard & Spurs)
2005 Becky Brown (Eaton Co. Strutting Toms)
2004 Steve Sharp (NWTF Staff)
2003 John Smith (River Raisin)
2002 Lyle Ranshaw (Looking Glass Spurs)
2001 Mike Kennedy (Thornapple Valley)
2000 Kevin Butts (Looking Glass Spurs)
1999 Tom Karsten (NWTF Staff)
1998 Walt Ingram (NWTF Staff)
Outstanding Conservationist Award
2022 **
2021 Colter Lubben (MDNR Wildlife Division Technician, Escanaba Office) (Photo)
2019 Randy Heinze (MDNR Barry State Game Area)
2018 Brian Piccolo (MDNR Wildlife Division Biologist) (photo)
2017 Clay Buchanan (Wildlife Habitat Grants) (photo)
2016 Tom Cooley (Michigan DNR) photo and Heather Keough (USFS) photo
2015 Doug Reeves (Michigan DNR)
2014 Pat Bedford (Michigan DNR) (photo)
2013 Lisa Jackson (Michigan DNR)
2012 Brian Frawley (Michigan DNR)
2011 Dave Newhouse (U.S. Forest Service)
2010 Becky Humphries (Michigan DNR)
2009 Guntis (Nik) Kalejs (Michigan DNR)
2008 Joe Robinson (Michigan DNR)
2007 Craig Albright (Michigan DNR)
2006 Val Frawley (Michigan DNR)
2005 Rex Ennis (U.S. Forest Service)
2004 Kent Kurtz (Michigan DNR)
2003 Dave Smith (Michigan DNR)
2002 **
2001 Julie Oaks (Michigan DNR)
2000 Gloria Boersma (U.S. Forest Service)
1999 Al Stewart (Michigan DNR)
1998 John Urbain (Michigan DNR)
Outstanding Wildlife Law Enforcement Officer Award
2022 Michael Haas (Isabella County) (Photo)
2021 Nicholas Wellman (Branch County)
2019 Lt. David Painter (Crystal Falls Office)
2018 Daniel Prince (Roscommon County) (photo)
2017 Joel Lundberg (Midland County) (photo)
2016 Angela Greenway (Mecosta County)
2015 Dean Molnar (Asst. Chief, Law Enforcement Div.)
2014 Michael Mshar (Allegan County) (photo)
2013 Jason McCullough (Clare County)
2012 Brian Lebel (Mecosta County)
2011 Stephen Mooney (Van Buren County)
2010 Andrew Bauer (Berrien County)
2009 Zachary Doss (Van Buren County)
2008 Jeff Rabbers (Barry County)
2007 Ivan Perez (Ottawa County)
2006 Mike Bomay (Mecosta County)
2005 Jason Smith (Tuscola County)
2004 Daniel A. Prince (Livingston County)
2003 Paul Higashi (Kalamazoo County)
2002 John Borkovich (St. Clair County)
2001 Kelly Ross (Montmorency County)
2000 Scott Wilk (Newaygo County)
1999 Ron McCarty (Lake County)
Conservation Educator of the Year Award
2022 ***
2021 ***
2019 ***
2018 ***
2017 Neway Center School (Newaygo) (photo)
2016 ***
2015 ***
2014 Nick DiCresce (Huron Clinton Metro Parks) (photo)
2013 Ed Shaw (Michigan DNR)
2012 Eric Buhr (Fowler Schools)
2011 Rob Jellison (Hartland Schools)
2010 Janine Kopera (Melvindale Schools) - National 1st Place
2009 Jon Gray (Lake Orion Schools) - National 1st Place
2008 Dale Elshoff (MSU - Project WILD) - National 2nd Place
2007 **
2006 Matt Stevenson (Kingsley Schools) - National 3rd Place
Doug Johnson Volunteer of the Year Award
2022 Tony Decker (Southwestern Michigan Longbeards Chapter) (Photo)
2021 Tom Karsten (Photo)
2019 Steve Sharp (Michigan R3 Coordinator)
2018 Sam & Ronda Giese (Turkeyville Toms Chapter) (photo)
2017 Phil & Janice Kuhtic (Thornapple Valley Chapter) (photo)
2016 Gary Salmon (Grand Valley Chapter)
2015 Tony Snyder (Turkeyville Toms)
2014 Mike Kennedy (Flat River Chapter) (photo)
2013 Dan Potter (Beard & Spurs)
2012 Troy Hopkins (Flat River)
2011 Gary VanDyke (Southwestern MI Longbeards)
2010 Ron Hopkins (Flat River)
2009 Al Bobrofsky (Turkeyville Toms)
2008 Ken Buchholtz (Bays De Noc Gobblers)
Scholarship Recipient
2022 Elizabeth Romel - Posen High School (Presque Isle Turkey Trackers Chapter) (Photo)
2021 Colton Isenhart (Fremont Area Chapter)
2019 Michael Kaven (Bays de Noc Chapter)
2018 Emily Barnhart (Beaver Creek Chapter) (photo)
2017 Dylan Bernson (Bays de Noc Chapter) (photo) and Clay Jaskowski (Beaver Creek Chapter) (photo)
2016 Lyndsey Romel (Black Mountain Chapter) and Connor Shea (Thornapple Valley Chapter)
2015 Dylan Jaskowski (Roscommon High School) and Katelyn Naffien (Fairview High School)
2014 Drew Lieske (Davison High School - Beard & Spurs Chapter)
2013 Kari Ataman (Black Mountain Chapter)
2012 Benjamin Osterlander (West Branch - Ogemaw Hills)
2011 Coleson Wrege (Utica - Beard & Spurs)
2010 Brandon Roberts (Belmont - Grand Valley)
2009 Erika VanGoethem (West Branch - Ogemaw Hills)
2008 Melissa Hale (Atlanta - Elk Country Gobblers)
2007 Tealicia Joseph **
2006 Anthony Klinger **
2005 Ross Stephen Osgood (Delton - Thornapple Valley)
2004 Thomas J. Prebish (Battle Creek - Turkeyville Toms)
2003 Ryan K. Peterson (Niles - Dowagiac River Longbeards)
2002 Kelli Elizabeth Flohr (Hastings - Thornapple Valley)
2001 Meredith Mick (Roscommon - Beaver Creek Chapter)
Turkey Cooperator Patch Design Contest Winners
2022 Jack Charlton (Clarkston) - 2023 Patch (Photo)
2020 Eva Leinbach (Lake Orion) - 2021 Patch
2019 Dylan Ries (Lake Orion) - Year 2020 Patch
2018 Dane Lewis (Lake Orion) - Year 2019 Patch
2017 Jayme Randolph (Jeddo) - Year 2018 Patch
2016 Sylvia Smith (Lake Orion) - Year 2017 Patch photo
2015 Eric Bellman (Lake Orion) - Year 2016 Patch
2014 Phoebe Talaga (Lake Orion) - Year 2015 Patch (photo)
2013 Bellina Gaskey (Lake Orion) - Year 2014 Patch
2012 Lauren Gamboa (Lake Orion) - Year 2013 Patch
2011 Viktoria Basso (Lake Orion) - 2012 Patch
2010 Madison Werner (Kimball) - 2011 Patch
2009 Casey VanDerGraaf (Lake Orion) - 2010 Patch
2008 Jonathan Keieper (Chesaning) - 2009 Patch
2007 Sarah Kennedy (Saranac) - 2008 Patch
2006 Lauren Pranito (Lake Orion) - 2007 Patch
2005 Amanda Scheffer (Flat Rock) - 2006 Patch
2004 Jessica Cojeen (Grand Blanc) - 2005 Patch
2003 Breanna Johnson (Three Rivers) - 2004 Patch
Wild Turkey Woodlands Award
2012 Plum Creek Timber (Escanaba)
2011 Bob Garner (3 Corners Habitat)
2010 Art Pelon (Flat River)
2009 Mark Sargent (Michigan DNR)
JAKE of the Year Award
2022 ***
2021 Zander Trapp (White River Longbeards) (Photo)
2019 ***
2018 ***
2017 Trenton Hopkins (Flat River Chapter) (photo)
2016 ***
2015 ***
2014 Pete Pelon (Flat River Chapter) (photo)
2013 Trenton Johnson (St. Joe Valley Limbhangers)
2012 Mitch Birk (Berrian Co. Trophy Toms)
2011 Jordan White (Eaton Co. Strutting Toms)
2010 Jonathan Knieper (Shiawassee River Strutters)
Mentor of the Year
This award is presented to the person that has excelled in mentoring new hunters.
2022 Adam Brumm (Thornapple Valley Chapter)
2021 Andrew Scott (Grand Valley Chapter) (Photo)
2019 Brian Mendendorp (Grand Valley Chapter)
2018 Ken Buchholtz
2017 Tony Snyder (Turkeyville Toms Chapter) (photo)
2016 Chris Hillman (MSU Wildlife Conservation Chapter)
2015 Ken Buchholtz (Bays De Noc Gobblers)
Women in the Outdoors Leadership Award
This award is for outstanding leadership in promoting Women in the Outdoors activities.
2003 Sheri Long (Whiteford Valley)
Flock Development Award
This award recognized individuals who, in addition to being active with their own chapters, sought out leads and potential memberships to create new chapters to expand the NWTF Flock in Michigan.
2002 Joe McCumber (Grand Valley)
2001 **
2000 Bert VanderWeele (High Banks)
John Smith (River Raisin)
Mark Schuler (Black Mountain)
Kevin Butts (Looking Glass Spurs)
1999 Herb Lorentz (Sebawing Gobblers)