The local National Wild Turkey Federation Chapter, the Upper Meramec Longspurs, received the prestigious L. A. Dixon Award during the 50th annual convention of the NWTF in Nashville on February 13. 

Adam and Shane Staples and Steve Zeiss marched on stage in front of a crowded auditorium to receive the award on behalf of the Upper Meramec Longspurs.

The L. A. Dixon Memorial Award, presented by the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF), honors local, state, and college chapters for excellence in conservation fundraising, membership recruitment, and mission support. It recognizes top-performing chapters at the national convention each year.

Chapters are recognized for total net revenue, highest grossing banquets, and growth over previous years. Chapters are judged on their success in conservation education, membership recruitment, and outreach events throughout the year. Specific levels are recognized based on annual net dollars raised. The Upper Meramec Longspurs Chapter joined the ranks of the Grand Slam Club by netting over 50 thousand dollars at their annual NWTF banquet and auction.

Regional NWTF Director Larry Neal said the Upper Meramec Longspurs Chapter is one of the best. “Only the Cape Girardeau chapter surpassed them in total funds raised in the state of Missouri last year.”

Shane Staples, of Cuba, has been involved in the Upper Meramec Longspurs Chapter for the last 25 years, serving as president for over 15 years. 

“Shane is an incredible organizer and no one works harder than him to make our NWTF Chapter a great success,” said Steve Zeiss.

“It takes a great committee of about 15 people to make it all work,” Staples said. “Our committee is dedicated to working hard to have a great local event and to support the management of wild turkey populations nationwide.”

Strong community support is paramount to the success of the Upper Meramec Longspurs. “Our community does a great job of supporting our chapter,” Staples said. “It is amazing the amount of support we receive every year. Businesses and individuals go the extra mile to support us. We are fortunate to have so many passionate outdoorsmen in our area who love to hunt wild turkeys and in turn are willing to support conservation efforts to continue our hinting traditions.”

Attending a local NWTF Chapter banquet and auction is a great way to meet fellow outdoorsmen from around the region as well others who are involved with NWTF at the state and national level. You’ll hear some pretty amazing turkey hunting stories as well.

“Our annual Upper Meramec Longspurs banquet and auction is a great place to come and enjoy a good meal, a good time, and bid on some great outdoor gear,” said committee member Doug Shockley. “We expect to give away 70 guns at this year’s banquet. Some guns are on raffles and others are up for bid. The competition can get exciting, but it’s all in the name of fun.”

I was the first president of the Upper Meramec Longspurs in the early 1990s. Ike Lovan, of Steelville, provided the leadership to get the chapter up and running. We both have been amazed at how successful the chapter has become in subsequent years. It’s due to dedicated outdoorsmen and turkey hunters like Shane Staples and his committee.

Just prior to the 2026 NWTF 50th Annual Convention, held at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel and Resort, NWTF co-CEO Jason Burckhalter said, “One cannot help but be inspired by the passion permeating through the halls, and our event hasn’t even begun. As we gear up for this landmark gathering, let us be reminded of why we are here: the conservation of the wild turkey and the preservation of our hunting heritage.”

In recent years, the NWTF’s Convention and Sport Show has become the premier destination for hunters and outdoor enthusiasts. In just the past three years, attendance records were broken consecutively, with last year’s attendance being 82,193.

Attendees can find the latest and greatest turkey hunting and outdoor products from over 500 exhibitors, partake in or witness the various competitions, interact with celebrities from the hunting world at seminars, win once-in-a-lifetime hunts and experiences or join in the seemingly endless fun of events, among so much more.

In addition, the event serves as a springboard for the NWTF’s mission delivery efforts for the year. For example, NWTF conservation leadership continues to meet with the National Wild Turkey Technical Committee and agency partners at the event to lay the groundwork for the NWTF’s annual investment in wild turkey research, which, since 2022, has resulted in the NWTF investing over $2.3 million in critical wild turkey research. When leveraged with partner contributions, this investment in the last few years has resulted in more than $22 million to guide the management of the wild turkey and to ensure sustainable populations.  

Since 1973, the National Wild Turkey Federation has invested over half a billion dollars into wildlife conservation and has positively impacted over 25 million acres of critical wildlife habitat. Since 2022, the NWTF has also invested over $2.3 million in critical wild turkey research that, when leveraged with partner contributions, has resulted in more than $22 million to guide the management of the wild turkey and to ensure sustainable populations.

The 2026 Upper Meramec Longspurs Annual Banquet and Auction will be held Friday, February 27 at the Knights of Columbus building in Cuba. Doors will open at 5 p.m. Tickets are available at the door.

Come out and support your local, award winning NWTF Chapter, the Upper Meramec Longspurs.