Delbert J. Vandevander Receives Outstanding Wildlife Manager Of The Year Award From The West Virginia State Chapter Of The National Wild Turkey Federation 

Delbert J. Vandevander, Wildlife Manager for the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (DNR), received the prestigious Outstanding Wildlife Manager of the Year Award from the West Virginia State Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF). This award is presented annually by the NWTF to recognize and honor a wildlife manager in West Virginia who has demonstrated outstanding efforts in the management and conservation of the wild turkey and other wildlife resources of the state.

In presenting this year's award on January 12, NWTF Regional Director Bob Farkasovsky congratulated Delbert Vandevander for his many years of service to the sportsmen and women of West Virginia.  The National Wild Turkey Federation is proud of the work accomplished by wildlife managers throughout the country," said Farkasovsky.  "Here in West Virginia, our hunters are most appreciative of the dedication and hard work that Delbert and many others wildlife managers demonstrate every day."

Working as wildlife manager on Stonewall Jackson Lake Wildlife Management Area, Delbert Vandevander has been active in the management of the wild turkey while serving the citizens of West Virginia. These efforts include major contributions to the state's Wild Turkey Populations Dynamics Studies and Wildlife Management Area Program. Vandevander trapped, radio-collared and monitored numerous turkeys during the recently completed wild turkey population dynamics study focusing on hen mortality. Most recently, he has been involved in the ongoing research dealing with gobbler behavior and mortality. These research efforts, which have been funded in large part by the NWTF, are considered to be the defining work in wild turkey population dynamics studies for the mid-Appalachian region of the United States.

"Delbert Vandevander has made notable contributions to the state's wildlife management program and the sportsmen and women who enjoy these abundant wildlife resources," said Curtis Taylor, Chief of the Wildlife Resources Section. "In addition to his numerous professional accomplishments, Delbert has been extremely active in a wide range of conservation education activities such as JAKES events, kids fishing derbies, school programs, and National Hunting and Fishing Day Celebrations."

The West Virginia State Chapter NWTF is one of the state's largest and most active sportsmen's organizations. Their primary goal is to support and promote the sound management and use of the state's wild turkey resource. The NWTF is also committed to delivering conservation education and outdoor skills training to women and children throughout the country.

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