Turkey Country Contributor Guidelines

Turkey Country is the flagship publication of the NWTF, and goes to all of its adult members. It is published bi-monthly with issues in January/February, March/April, May/June, July/August, September/October and November/December.

While limited use of the author's experience is acceptable, articles should feature advice from experts and not rely too heavily on biological terms to emphasize points. Preference centers on anecdotes about people besides the author.

Send individual queries; no laundry lists.

Articles should:

Features run 1,000 to 1,200 words and range $350 to $550 in payment. Departments run 500 to 1,000 words and range $250 to $350 in payment. Note: We purchase both First North American Serial Rights for print and for electronic usage on turkeycountrymagazine.com, which includes a digital version of the magazine.

Turkey Country is divided into six sections, each with specific content for our readers:

Conservation
This section is devoted to wildlife conservation on a national scope, specifically the NWTF's involvement. It includes features, as well as two departments open for freelance contribution: Sweat Equity, which covers projects and programs that benefit wildlife habitat, and Wildlife Connections that shows how the work of state agencies and NWTF staff and volunteers benefits other species (game and non-game) besides the wild turkey.

The NWTF has expert biologists who are available for interview.

Cause & Effect
This section contains a feature that covers issues that affect sportsmen and women, from gun rights to conservation hot topics and much more in between. It also is home to a regular department titled NWTF Track Stars, which tells the story of individuals (both notable and everyday) and their involvement in the outdoors and the NWTF.

The Caller
The primary purpose of The Caller is twofold: to communicate to the membership news related to hunting, wildlife habitat management and the programs available to them through the national office of the NWTF; and to give the membership an outlet to publicize the work of local chapters.
NWTF members are encouraged to submit information, with photos, about their chapter to The Caller. No payment is issued for publication unless noted by editor.

Outreach & Education
Although this section is divided into subcategories meant for specific portions of the NWTF membership, content should be informative and entertaining for all Turkey Country readers.

Women in the Outdoors
Articles should inform and entertain outdoorswomen of all skill levels who aspire to become more involved in outdoor sports and activities, including camping, fishing, hiking, shooting, hunting, canoeing, boating and bird watching.

This portion services the NWTF's Women in the Outdoors program, which provides exciting, hands-on outdoor learning opportunities for women ages 14 and up.

Regular departments include:

Most features include information on where to go, necessary equipment and how to find out more on a specific activity. We prefer stories quoting experts to narrative treatments. Articles should treat women as independent outdoors enthusiasts, depict outdoor activities in a positive/encouraging manner and appeal to a national audience.

Wheelin' Sportsmen
This portion services the members and volunteers of the Wheelin' Sportsmen NWTF program, which delivers, and in some cases re-introduces, the beauty and excitement of the outdoors, including hunting, fishing and recreational shooting, to thousands of people with disabilities.

It is also a tool for able-bodied sportsmen and women to learn more about sharing the outdoors with their disabled peers and relays information about the Wheelin' Sportsmen NWTF program.

Most articles deal with "how to enjoy" to "where to enjoy" the outdoors. We're also interested in stories about disabled people who enjoy the outdoors and ways able-bodied individuals can help people with disabilities participate in outdoor fun.

JAKES Volunteers & Education
This portion services the adult NWTF volunteers who are dedicated to providing outdoors-, conservation-, and hunting-related opportunities for youth, both in the classroom and at hands-on learning events.

While most of the content is generated in-house, we welcome any outside ideas for special features.

On the Hunt
This section is dedicated to the interests and entertainment of wild turkey hunters everywhere, including features on how and where to hunt wild turkeys. We also publish short features on unusual hunting experiences, historical vignettes, the wild turkey in art or literature, field tips, creative uses for harvested turkeys, hunting anecdotes, humor or other appropriate hunting-related subjects.

Departments in this section, including Turkey Calls, Calling Wild Turkeys and Shooting Savvy are regular columns for which we do not accept queries.

Get in the Game
This section is targeted toward people with a passion for hunting and managing their acres for wildlife and helps readers improve habitat for deer, quail, wild turkeys, small game and other wildlife using layperson terminology. Readers also learn about strategies that work for hunting deer, turkey and more. The articles range from secrets for positioning your treestand in a whitetail hotspot, suggestions on how to improve your soil, tips to tune up your tractor, building a duck blind and more. Get in the Game emphasizes the importance of active forest management.

Photography Use and Payment

Images may be submitted to accompany specific assignments or on speculation. See photograph submission information and send speculative images to the photo editor at the NWTF shipping address.

We publish images of various outdoor activities and wildlife species, including:

Check with the photo editor for current photographic needs.

Rates for published photographs:

Cover = $800
Contents pages = $250
Two-page spread = $300
Full page = $200
Half-page = $150
Less than a half-page = rate negotiated by editor
Step-by-step images = rate negotiated by editor, included in article price
Note: We purchase both print rights and for electronic usage on turkeycountrymagazine.com, which includes a digital version of the magazine. Additional usage on the Web site, other than in the digital magazine, will be negotiated.

Editor: Karen Lee klee@nwtf.net

Managing Editor: Gregg Powers gpowers@nwtf.net

Senior Editor: P.J. Perea pperea@nwtf.net

Photo Editor: Matt Lindler mlindler@nwtf.net

Publishing Assistant: Michelle Jones mjones@nwtf.net