Thanks to restoration and conservation efforts, hunters across the state will hunt wild turkeys this morning.

The revival of turkey populations across the country have been nothing short of miraculous over the last decade. However, turkey hunters and conservationists will be disheartened to learn of the most recent announcement from the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF).

After 30 years of distinguished service, including 27 years as the Chief Executive Officer of the NWTF, Rob Keck has decided, for personal and family reasons, to step aside from his duties with the Federation as of June 1.

This past Wednesday morning, the NWTF's National Board of Directors reluctantly accepted this decision. Under Mr. Keck's leadership, the NWTF has grown into one of the nation's premier conservation organizations.

The NWTF is a grassroots, nonprofit organization with more than 550,000 members in 50 states, Canada, Mexico and 14 other foreign countries. It supports scientific wildlife management on public, private and corporate lands as well as wild turkey hunting as a traditional North American sport.

In 1973, the National Wild Turkey Federation was founded in Fredericksburg, Va. At that time, there were an estimated 1.3 million wild turkeys and 1.5 million turkey hunters. Shortly after its founding, the NWTF moved to Edgefield, S.C., where it is still headquartered today.

Thanks to the work of federal, state and provincial wildlife agencies and the NWTF's many volunteers and partners, there are now more than 7 million wild turkeys and nearly 3 million turkey hunters. The Federation said turkey hunting has become the fastest growing form of hunting and has the second-highest number of participants of any type of hunting.

Since 1985, more than $258 million NWTF and cooperator dollars have been spent on upholding hunting traditions and conserving more than 13.1 million acres of wildlife habitat. Hunters have also benefited as the NWTF has worked tirelessly to support our hunting heritage and protect and promote laws that increase hunting opportunity and safety.

In their announcement, the Federation said the NWTF's National Board of Directors will immediately begin a nationwide search for Mr. Keck's successor.

Here's an important reminder from the TWRA. Small game hunting seasons have closed but don't throw that hunting regulations booklet away. The regulations for the 2008 spring wild turkey hunting season are included in the regular hunting regulations booklet.

The 2008 spring wild turkey season will run March 29 through May 11. The statewide bag limit is four bearded turkeys, with no more than one bearded bird per day.

Just in case you're wondering where your temporary harvest tag is, the TWRA said as stated in the 2007 Tennessee Hunting and Trapping Guide on page 6 under "What's New", beginning with the 2008 license year, Lifetime Sportsman License holders will no longer be mailed a temporary harvest tag.

Lifetime Sportsman License holders may either use their temporary harvest tag from the previous year or take the first harvested animal untagged to the checking station where a permanent harvest tag and a temporary harvest tag will be issued.

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Commission has named its new officers for 2008-09. The election came during the March meeting held at the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) Region II headquarters.

The TWRA said Gary Kimsey, from Sweetwater, will serve as the chairman. Johnny Fred Coleman (Livingston) will serve as vice-chairman and Michael Chase (Knoxville) will be the secretary.

Thomas "Bub" Edwards (Paris) was recognized for his work the past year as the TWRC chairman. Edwards will continue to serve as a commission member.

Among the other business at the meeting, the TWRC approved a motion to combine the Royal Blue, Sundquist, and Brimstone areas and name them the North Cumberland WMA. North Cumberland WMA will include three units: Brimstone, Royal Blue and Sundquist.

Previously, Royal Blue and Sundquist had portions on each side of Interstate 75. Under the new name, the areas on the east side of the interstate will be combined under the Sundquist Unit, the areas on the west side of the interstate will be combined under the Royal Blue Unit, and the new public access acquisition will become the Brimstone Unit.

The North Cumberland WMA, located in portions of Anderson, Campbell, and Scott counties in East Tennessee, is the largest state owned WMA and consists of 146,000 acres.

The TWRC also announced meeting dates for the next two months. The next meetings are set for April 23-24 and May 21-22 (annual season setting meeting). Both meetings will be held at the Region II headquarters.