Courtesy of National Wild Turkey Federation

NEW MEXICO -- For the first time ever, two hunters will have the opportunity to hunt a Gould's wild turkey in New Mexico. The New Mexico Gould's wild turkey population represents the only native population in the United States.

Two New Mexico Gould's wild turkey tags are up for grabs – one via an online auction that ends March 1, 2009, and the other via a raffle with tickets available at the NWTF New Mexico State Chapter's exhibit hall booth at the NWTF's Convention and Sport Show in Nashville, Tenn., Feb. 19 to Feb. 22, 2009. The raffle drawing will be held on Monday, March 2, 2009.

The lucky winners will have the option of arranging to hunt with members of the NWTF's New Mexico State Chapter for five consecutive days. The hunting arrangement includes lodging in a comfortable tent camp, meals during the hunt and ground transportation to and from El Paso International Airport in El Paso, Texas. The winners will be responsible for travel to El Paso. The tent camp will be set up within minutes of gobbling Gould's wild turkeys.

"These two tags represent an incredible opportunity," said NWTF Vice President of Conservation Programs Administration Scott Vance. "Not only will the auction and raffle winners get to take part in a significant milestone in turkey hunting history, but the entire proceeds from the tags will help benefit Gould's wild turkey restoration and conservation work in southwestern New Mexico. Contributing to the successful comeback of these majestic birds is something to take pride in."

While there are more than 100,000 Gould's wild turkeys in the Sierra Madre Occidental in Mexico, there are only approximately 800 in the United States, most of which live in southeastern Arizona. However, the Gould's wild turkey is thriving once again in the United States thanks to the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, the Arizona Game and Fish Department and the hard-working volunteers of the NWTF.

New Mexico's spring wild turkey season runs from April 15 to May 10, 2009. Winners of the two tags can hunt any time during this season, but must inform the NWTF of the dates of their hunt at least one month in advance. The NWTF will provide winners with the required information to attain their tag and New Mexico spring turkey hunting license.

To place an online bid for this unique and very exclusive hunt or for more information, visit http://auctions.nwtf.org/item.php?id=344

For more information about the NWTF's 33rd annual Convention and Sport Show, visit http://www.nwtf.org/special_events/convention.html.