Wild turkey conservation stamps were first introduced in 1956, 16 years after the federal Wildlife Restoration program began efforts to reintroduce turkeys to its old habitats. The return of the wild turkey is one of conservation’s greatest success stories; the national turkey population jumped from just 30,000 due to overhunting and deforestation to 7 million today. While wild turkeys are thriving in some areas, that isn’t the case everywhere.
Thanks to conservation efforts like turkey stamps, ethical hunting practices and organizations like the National Wild Turkey Federation, turkeys are sustainably hunted across the country. “Without wild turkeys there would be no Mossy Oak,” said CEO Toxey Haas. “And it's our responsibility to do everything we can with the time we have on earth to ensure the turkey hunting community leaves the wild turkey better off than we found them.” The performance camouflage company is giving back to these intriguing creatures by launching its inaugural turkey conservation stamp.
One hundred percent of the money raised will directly fund wild turkey conservation. Haas said his father taught him to “always leave my piece of dirt better than I found it.” Now, Mossy Oak is encouraging everyone to do the same with this beautiful and commemorative conservation effort. The stamp’s artwork is by Dan Moreton and is entitled, A Mossy Oak Moment. A magnificent pair of gobblers stand amidst a transitional landscape where new plant life and wildflowers are just starting to spring up. Admirers might miss the pair of hunters in the trees thanks to their highly effective camouflage. A youth hunter has a shotgun raised while their adult partner holds out a box call. You can learn more about the painting here.
Hunters can purchase the artfully printed 1.5” by 2” stamp for $15, which will not only actively assist the creatures they admire so, but will jumpstart a stunning collection of conservation artwork. Mossy Oak’s goal with the conservation stamp is to ensure the wild turkey population is around for generations to come. “I can't imagine a spring morning spent without the chance to hear one of the sweetest sounds in all of nature—a wild turkey gobble,” said Haas. “And we dang sure want to do everything we can to ensure our kids and grandkids don’t have to wonder what that sounds like.”
The Mossy Oak advisory board of gamekeepers Dr. Mike Chamberlain and Dr. Marcus Lashley will advise which projects will receive funding from the money raised from the stamp. By working together, hunters can pass the spring turkey hunt on for generations to come. Purchase your 2022 wild turkey conservation stamp depicting A Mossy Oak Moment here.
